The first thing you should do when moving house if you want to save money
The average cost of removals alone is £1,700
- Moving house can be incredibly expensive
- But there are ways to keep the costs down
- A property expert has shared his tips, including the first thing you need to do
Moving house isn’t just stressful, it can be incredibly expensive.
It’s not just the price of the house you’re buying that you have to take into account, but stamp duty, legal fees and the estate agent’s commission, among other expenses.
Then there’s the cost of the move itself, with the average house removal for a three-bedroom property now standing at an eye-watering £1,700.
Ahead of December, when listings sites usually record a huge spike on Boxing Day, a property expert has explained the best way to keep your moving costs down.
When to start planning your move
Jonathan Rolande, founder of House Buy Fast, said planning ahead is key to saving money.
Speaking exclusively to The Star, he explained: “You should start planning six to eight weeks in advance and draw up a budget. That way you can see areas where you might be able to save cash.
“Packing up yourself could save hundreds compared to paying professionals to do it for you. Also, get quotes from several removal firms and try to negotiate - and think about a mid-week or off-peak slot, as you could get a cheaper rate.
“Book as long in advance as you can, as you usually get the best price that way and check for special offers and discounts, as some firms will offer them to senior citizens, veterans and so on.”
How to save on packing materials
The first thing to do to avoid unnecessary work, and potentially make significant savings, is to jettison any unwanted and unused household items.
“The big thing to do is de-clutter ahead of a move, as this could greatly reduce the number of boxes to be lifted and the physical stress on the day itself, if you’re doing it yourself,” said Jonathan.
“You might also spend a couple of weeks running down your food supplies to cut down on the jars and cans that might have to be otherwise boxed up.
“You can save a bit on buying bubble wrap and other packing materials by re-using old towels and cloth or maybe use rolls of forgotten wrapping paper. Collecting boxes from supermarkets or using old suitcases could be another option.
“Moving boxes using your vehicle is always an option, though renting a van may be required for bigger items like furniture. You would need to compare the cost to that of a removals firm and you could try to persuade friends and family to help out.”
Remember to take meter readings
Jonathan also advised movers to plan ahead to reduce what they spend on utilities in their new home.
“Don’t forget to take meter readings at both properties to avoid being overcharged for utilities,” he said.
“The same is true for home broadband: speak to your provider to transfer your service and maybe use the opportunity to get a deal by suggesting you might switch providers.
“Pack a bag with food and toiletries ready for the day itself to avoid the extra cost and hassle of unplanned, ad hoc purchases.”
Jonathan’s top money-saving tips when moving house
- Compare multiple removal companies early and negotiate; prices vary widely by date and availability
- Declutter before packing to reduce load size and moving costs
- Use free boxes from supermarkets or community groups instead of buying packing materials
- Move mid-week or off-peak when removal firms often charge less
- Pack and disassemble furniture yourself to avoid additional labour fees
For more free information, you can visit: https://housebuyfast.co.uk
If you want to know more about the full costs involved when buying a house, you can find a handy breakdown here.