The Costs of Moving a 2-Bedroom House: What You Need to Know
Moving house can be a stressful and strenuous affair, especially if you don’t have the right help at hand. There are numerous different costs to anticipate too, which is even truer if you’re moving a family instead of a bachelor’s apartment! Researching the full cost of moving a house before the big day arrives will ensure you can budget appropriately. Plus, it will help you to avoid any unexpected expenses or unwanted surprises later down the line.
If you’re aiming to pack up and move your 2-bedroom house yourself, you’ll need to put aside at least a few days to get the job done. A DIY move is time-consuming, stressful and tiring—often more than you’d imagine. It’s recommended that you ask your friends and family members for assistance, even if they simply help you pack a few boxes or help with some heavy lifting. Moving your own home will increase the amount of time you’ll need to move. But it may also reduce the total costs.
If you’d prefer to simplify the process as much as possible, you can employ a professional removal company to ensure a smooth move from start to finish. You can even leave the packing to them, making the entire move completely effortless from your side. However, this will add to the cost.
Read on as we explore the various costs of moving a 2-bedroom house in the UK in 2022.
House Removal Expenses
The prices charged by professional removal services can vary widely according to a number of different factors. This can make it tricky to calculate exactly how much money to put aside for your move, especially if you are still in the early stages of planning.
Generally , you can expect to pay roughly £50-£60 per hour for two removal professionals to pack the contents of your home into a single moving van. Remember you’ll still have to pack up your home before moving day, and that this task is best done with time to spare. If you leave packing until the last minute, you risk rushing around frantically at the last minute, and discovering things you had completely forgotten you own!
Professional house removal services certainly add to the price of moving, but they save considerable sums of time and effort on your part. The average cost of a 2-bedroom home removal will depend on factors such as the distance between your current home and your new one, and how much extra help you need with packing and moving. It’s important to remember general estimates might differ from the true costs you will face. So, it’s recommended that you get a local tradesperson to provide you with a more accurate quote ahead of time.
How Do House Removal Companies Charge Customers?
Most removal services don’t charge by the weight or dimension of your boxes and furniture. Rather, they tend to charge hourly according to the specific services you require. Your company of choice will probably provide you with a quote based on the full scope of your job. This will include how many possessions need moving, whether or not packing services are needed, and the distance between your current home and your new one.
There are three main factors that these companies take into consideration when charging their customers. These are:
- Packing and loading your items
- Travelling from your current location to your new home
- Unloading your items on the other side.
The time each of these tasks takes, along with the number of removals experts needed, the materials and equipment used, and the size of the removal van needed, will determine the cost you pay.
It’s important to note that many removal companies will have a 2-hour minimum charge for their services. Long distance moving costs tend to be set at fixed prices that range anywhere from £450 for a 1-bedroom flat to £1,000 for a 4-bedroom house. This would put the price of a fixed long distance removal for a 2-bedroom house at around £600.
If you’re moving locally to a new property in the same region as your current one, you can expect to pay around £200 for your move. If, however, you’re relocating to another part of the United Kingdom, it could cost you anywhere up to £725 to move your 2-bedroom home.
Packing Services
Packing up a home can make for very tiring and arduous work. This is why many removal companies offer dedicated packing services for your convenience. Most moving experts recommend budgeting around £80 for this service. This will accommodate the standard rate of £20 per hour for a single packer for 4 hours.
The packing materials you need—boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape and box markers—are not usually included in this hourly rate. Most removal companies charge extra for these, so you’ll need to budget extra. Alternatively, you can purchase your own materials and supply the packers with what’s needed.
Total Average Removal Costs
The typical removal costs for a 2-bedroom UK home in 2022 are roughly £600 for self-packed moves and £800-£900 with packing services. These estimates exclude additional services like dismantling and re-assembling, which usually cost extra.
Additionally, you may need to purchase a permit for your removals vehicle, depending on your council’s specific requirements. Contact your local council to determine whether or not you need a permit. You can usually apply for a temporary permit in advance to ensure that you don’t get fined for parking close to your new home during your move. These costs will vary from council to council, but you can find more information on the UK Government’s official website.
Budgeting for Extra Time
It isn’t always easy to predict exactly how many hours you will need for your home removal until you’re in the midst of the process. It’s for this reason that it’s a good idea to budget for more time than you expect you will need when sourcing quotes from local removal companies. Moving is a challenging process, and unanticipated issues can easily cause delays and hurdles. Especially if you will be moving large items of furniture and fragile possessions.
If you need to move large items, you may need to hire additional removal team members to help you, which will cost you more money. Considering how many professionals you will need in advance will help you create a realistic budget that factors in your specific needs and demands.
Seasonal Factors
Yet another element that can impact the price of your total moving cost is seasonality. There are certain times of the year during which removal businesses are in very high demand, and they often charge higher rates during these times.
Summer is usually the busiest time for these companies, with their peak busy season taking place around August each year. If you want to keep your moving costs as minimal as possible, you may want to consider moving during the quieter months and seasons of the year. If you need to move during the busy season, ensure that you budget accordingly by asking your removal service provider to adjust your quote according to your ideal moving timeline.
The Importance of Assessing Quality
Many people are tempted to opt for the cheapest quote when it comes to moving house. However, the cheapest moving company isn’t always your best option. Trusted moving companies belong to organisations like the British Association of Removers (BAR). These organisations independently assess removal companies and ensure that they meet minimum professional standards that reduce the risk of hazard, injury and property damage during moves. Additionally, many of these organisations offer advance payment guarantees and independent complaints resolution facilities.
It costs a company to become a member of one of these organisations. Therefore, these costs may translate into slightly higher moving rates for their customers. However, choosing a regulated moving company ensures that you will receive reputable and high-quality services conducted by trained and qualified members of staff. If you can afford slightly higher costs, you are paying for verified high standards and a lower risk of substandard service and unexpected hidden charges.
Make Moving Easier
A DIY removal may save you some money, but it can also leave you to shoulder the stress and burden of moving your home alone. We recommend hiring a team of skilled professionals to save yourself time and effort while ensuring a smooth, low-stress move. It may cost you more than a DIY move would, but having experienced movers handling your big-ticket items is well worth the extra money spent.
When looking for house removal quotes, it’s recommended that you obtain quotes from a range of different tradesmen and businesses to find the best deal. You should always request a detailed breakdown of charges, including any additional costs you may face, to ensure that you are prepared for the coming expense of moving.
Get a quote from us for free and discover how we use our professional skills to work quickly, efficiently and reliable when moving you into your new home. Our quotes are comprehensive, obligation-free, and include standard insurance to protect your belongings from start to finish.
