Data reveals Swansea is cheapest place to move house in the UK

The cost of moving home has risen by 24% since 2019, with Brits set to fork out an extra £1,962 for services like removals, postal redirections and storage space.

That’s according to the latest investigation from Admiral Home Insurance, who gathered quotes from over 400 providers of moving services (including removals, storage, painters and decorators and cleaners) to find out the average cost of hidden home-moving costs and found Brits now need to budget £1,962 – almost £1,000 more than they are actually putting away.

The research found out that storage has seen the biggest price increase of 46% over the last 4 years.

The average cost of moving across the country varies by more than 30%, with Swansea the cheapest place to move based on Admiral’s research. Brighton is the most expensive place for hidden moving costs, costing £2,430 on average. Exeter is the most expensive city for home removals with an average cost of £721

44% of movers admit to budgeting less than £1,000 for moving home – a potential shortfall of almost £1,000 based on the insurer’s research.

While movers may budget for deposits, stamp duty and legal fees, it’s often the additional costs that cover the logistics of moving that can tip buyers and renters alike over budget.

Noel Summerfield, Head of Household Insurance at Admiral said: “Whether moving into a property you’ve bought or are renting, the cost of moving to a new home can quickly add up. It’s often the unexpected things that can send budgets spiraling, and our data suggests 44% of people are budgeting less than half the amount of cash they might actually need.

“Moving is often billed as one of life’s most stressful experiences, with 87% of Brits agreeing they found the process stressful last time they moved. But a little bit of planning can go a long way, work out what services you will need in advance and compare prices to find the best option for your budget.

“It’s easy for home insurance to slip off the list of priorities, but this could leave your belongings at risk when moving, so make sure you let your insurer know before the day of the move, so your belongings are fully covered. We’ve found that people make most claims for TVs, sofas and fridges damaged during a house move. Admiral’s Gold and Platinum tier policies include accidental loss or damage cover to contents if they are being moved by a professional removal company to a new home, but different policies could have different conditions.

“Some professional removal companies will also have their own insurance to cover your possessions whilst they’re being moved. It’s worth checking with any removal companies exactly what loss and damage they will cover in case anything happens during the move.

“If you’re buying your new home, you should also make sure you have buildings cover in place when you exchange contracts. Your insurer may be able to transfer your existing policy to a new home, but it’s always best to check.”