How to Know When It's Time to Move (and How to Do It Right)

Cost is the factor that stops many people acting on their instinct to move.

Getting a realistic picture early prevents unpleasant surprises later.

Removal company fees are typically between £400 and £1,800 for a local move, depending on the volume of belongings and the distance between properties.

Long-distance moves within the UK, such as London to Manchester or Birmingham to Edinburgh, sit between £1,000 and £3,000 on average. Giant Van provides transparent, itemised quotes so you know exactly what you are paying for before you commit.

Conveyancing solicitor fees run from around £850 to £1,800 for a freehold property.

Leasehold properties add complexity and cost. Budget at least £1,000 for a straightforward freehold purchase.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England applies at 2% on the portion of a property price between £250,001 and £925,000, and 5% above that.

First-time buyers receive relief on properties up to £425,000. Scotland and Wales use different systems: LBTT and LTT respectively.

Survey costs range from £300 for a basic mortgage valuation to £1,500 or more for a full structural survey.

Skipping a proper survey on an older property is a false economy.

Estate agent fees for sellers average 1% to 3% of the sale price, plus VAT.

A realistic all-in budget for buying and selling a £350,000 property, including removal costs, sits between £9,000 and £14,000.

Planning for this upfront removes one of the biggest sources of stress during the process. Call Giant Van on to get your removal cost confirmed early.

The UK property market has some features that distinguish it from moving in other countries, and understanding them helps you prepare.

The conveyancing process is slower than buyers often expect.

From accepted offer to completion, the average time in England and Wales is between ten and twelve weeks. This is partly because UK property law uses a system of simultaneous exchange and completion on a single day, meaning nothing is legally binding until the moment of exchange. Chains, where multiple buyers and sellers are linked together, can extend this timeline significantly.

Scotland operates a different system.

Under Scots law, a binding contract is formed much earlier in the process, which tends to make Scottish transactions faster and more predictable.

Council Tax is charged per property rather than per person in the UK.

You are responsible for Council Tax from the day you complete on a purchase or from the first day of a new tenancy. Set up your account with the new local authority promptly to avoid unnecessary penalty notices.

Leasehold properties carry additional considerations.

If you are buying a flat, you are almost certainly buying a leasehold interest rather than the freehold. Check the number of years remaining on the lease: anything under 85 years begins to affect mortgage eligibility and resale value. Lease extensions are possible but add cost and time.

If your move crosses from one UK nation to another, check if your utility providers operate there.

Some smaller suppliers do not cover Scotland or Northern Ireland, and you may need to switch before or immediately after your move.