Unexpected Moving Costs: What Buyers Don’t Expect

Moving your home can cost a lot, but most people in the UK do not expect the final bills. A good number of buyers say the real moving fees surprised them. Recent research shows that 1 in 5 UK homebuyers had extra moving costs that they did not plan for.

With the average home price at about £273,000, and with mortgage rates still high, most movers feel stretched. When you take into account solicitor fees, surveys, removals, and the deposit, every penny really matters.

But then you see the hidden costs. The carpets and curtains may need to be replaced. Indemnity policies and storage fees start to add up. You might have to change your address as well. Sometimes, the appliances you thought would stay are gone and you must buy new ones. Movers often end up paying thousands more besides their deposit and stamp duty land tax.

This guide talks about the most common costs that can come up when you do not expect them. It shows you how much they usually are and helps you get ready for them. The guide also shares one cost that many buyers do not remember until it is almost time to pay.

Home insurance is something most lenders will ask for as soon as you sign your contract. They do not wait for the completion day. This means you could be without insurance and not know it.

Get instant home insurance quotes and save before you move in.

Why do moving costs spiral so quickly?

Moving is not just one single cost. It is made up of many small costs that add up. If you do not get ready for it, all these costs can come up at the same time.

Surveys say that movers often do not guess costs right in three key areas.

1. Getting things ready in the new place is not always easy. Stuff from the old home might not fit like before.
2. You may have to fix or change things after moving in.
3. Some fees or costs only show up when you are doing conveyancing.

The main reason people are often surprised by how much they spend is this. Most budgets are made to cover buying something. They do not include costs from the moving process.

The top unexpected moving costs in the UK

Based on talks with people who have just bought a home, here are five costs that took them by surprise.

Decorating your new space

Many movers think they should “just live with it for now.” But when you walk into the place, you want it to feel like your home. Making it feel right becomes your first job.

Common upfront costs include:

• Paint and decorating supplies
• Wallpaper removal and replastering
• Repainting every room because the colours look different in natural light
• Replacing carpets that smelled of pets or smoke

One person said that he had to spend over £2,000 to get new carpets. The old carpets looked so bad after he had moved the furniture out.

Decorating becomes urgent when:

• You find that cigarette or pet smells are stuck in the carpet
• A bold colour theme makes the house feel less like it’s yours
• The new owners of your old place want you to leave sooner and you didn’t plan time to decorate

Tip: Plan to spend about £1,000–£3,000 for the early decorating costs. The price can be higher or lower based on the size of your house and the volume of items you are moving.

New furniture and appliances

Many people who buy homes think taking things from the old property will be easy. But, that is not always the case. A lot of things do not move well or fit like before when you come from your old property.

The most common unexpected purchases include:

• A fridge freezer can cost up to £600.
• A washing machine or dryer will be around £300 to £500.
• A sofa or beds may not fit if the new place is a different size.
• You might need to buy blinds, curtains, or curtain rails.
• The old owner may take all the garden equipment, so you could need to get your own.

According to mover interviews:

• A basic set of appliances will cost you about £500–£1,500.
• A sofa and mattress will add another £800–£2,000.

Many movers thought they would get white goods, but found out at arrival that was not true. If you do not have much money, some buyers pay these extra costs with credit cards. But this can add interest, turning what you pay into hidden expenses over time.

Tip: When you get ready to offer, ask the seller to write down what they will leave. Don’t think you know.

Curtains and blinds

This is one cost that many people forget about. You might think the curtains or blinds will be there. Then you get to the place and see that they are not.

• There are no blinds in the room.
• There are no curtain poles here.
• You can’t sleep at night because your room faces a streetlight.

Custom blinds are priced at £150–£300 for each window. A buyer shared that they paid more than £1,000 in their first week. They said, “we couldn’t sleep without blackout blinds.”

Tradespeople and repairs

Even when a house looks good and ready to move in, things can still show up after you start living there. You may not know what these things are at first. But over time, you may find some surprises in the house.

Common immediate repair costs include:

• Plumbing fixes
• Boiler servicing
• Electrical safety updates
• Replacing broken appliances
• Fixing leaks, damp, or mould issues

Quotes can escalate rapidly.

One couple discovered:

• Carbon monoxide had been getting out into the attic
• The whole heating system had to be replaced
• Roof work was needed after more checks were done

Cost range quoted: £4,000 to £25,000.

Tip: Keep a contingency fund. Many movers who did not have one lost the most.

Stamp duty shock (and timing confusion)

Stamp duty is added after the completion. This can surprise people — especially those who are buying a home for the first time.

Stamp duty deadlines:

• England & Northern Ireland: you must pay this in 14 days
• Scotland & Wales: you have 30 days to pay

Many movers think they pay stamp duty with the deposit, but this is not true. If you move to a new home in England or Northern Ireland and the price is over £125,000, the stamp duty land tax is now £2,500 higher because the threshold went up.

Talking about a stamp duty calculator can help when you plan your budget. The tool shows potential costs for different home sale prices. A sale price of £450,000 will mean you pay less than if the final sale price is £510,000. The stamp duty owed can be much more at the higher price.

Hidden legal fees: indemnity insurance policies

Indemnity policies are often used in conveyancing. The cost for each issue can be between £100 and £600.

Reasons you may need indemnity insurance:

• Missing planning permission can be a problem.
• Missing building rules sign-off is also a big deal.
• There are changes like a loft, windows, or a balcony that do not have the right approval.
• People may argue about who can use certain ways in and out.

One buyer needed to get four indemnity policies. This was because the last owner did not get the needed legal papers. Your conveyancer will point out these things when they do the searches. They add them to disbursements, and often you need to pay VAT on top of it when you get the bill.

Other unexpected moving costs

Recent movers reported surprise costs including:

• Removal costs with a moving company or professional movers. The price changes based on how far you move, how easy it is to get to the places, and the volume of items.
• Storage fees or costs for long-term storage solutions if the move-out and move-in don’t match up.
• Getting your mail sent by Royal Mail to your new address.
• Paying council tax for both homes if the buying and selling doesn’t end in the same billing cycle.
• Cleaning the old home deeply and taking away any waste before you leave.
• Ending your mortgage early or paying to set up a new one.
• Additional charges you may see at the end, like paying for handing over keys or same-day couriers.

A lot of these costs are not seen at first. They only show up when the mover, solicitor, or estate agent puts the extra items on the final bill.

Don’t forget packing materials and time

Packing often takes more time than you think. It can also be more expensive. You need different packing materials. These include double-walled boxes, tape, wardrobe cartons, and bubble wrap. The price can go up fast, especially if your home is big.

A basic set of materials for a three-bedroom home will be £100–£250. If you choose a full pack-and-move from professional movers, add that to your budgeting early.

Tenants and landlords: overlaps and handovers

If you’re moving from rented accommodation:

• You may have to pay rent and council tax for the rest of your notice time in the home.
• Landlords can ask you for professional cleaning before they give your deposit back.
• Take photos of meter readings and how things look. Use time stamps, so there are no additional charges later.

For people selling and buying a home on the same day, delays can make them move out for a short time. They may have to put things in storage and stay in a hotel. This makes storage fees and removal costs go up because of the short relocation.

Good news: some costs are optional or negotiable

There is good news. Not every cost will stay the same when you move. You can lower some hidden costs of moving.

• Try to deal so that white goods or blinds stay with the house.
• Book movers in the middle of the week instead of Friday or the end of the month.
• Ask movers for a set price. This helps avoid paying more than you expect.
• Tell your conveyancer that you want a full list of disbursements and any additional charges before you start.
• Pick out items you can sell or give away to lower the number of things to move.

A cost many movers forget: home insurance

Many people say that home insurance must be set up on the day you complete your house purchase. A lot of buyers feel this is needed at that time.

Lenders say you must have buildings insurance ready as soon as you sign the contract. This means the insurance should be active from the moment you exchange contracts.

If the home burned down between the time you made the exchange and when the sale is finished, you will still have to buy it at the sale price. This is the rule, even if damage happens before you reach completion.

That means if you do not get home insurance before you exchange:

• You could be uninsured.
• You could breach your mortgage conditions.

Buying insurance at the last minute also makes things more risky.

• Overpaying
• Choosing the wrong cover
• Rushing into the first option without comparing

Get home insurance quotes to protect your new home before you exchange contracts.

When does home insurance need to start?

The insurance should start on the same day you exchange contracts. It should not start on the day when you move in.

Important rule:

Even if you’re not living there yet.

Buildings insurance usually protects against:

• Fire or flood damage
• Leaks and water damage
• Storm damage
• Rebuild cost after major damage
• Structural risks
• Theft and wrong actions that hurt your things (this depends on the policy)

Contents insurance protects:

• Your things can be covered, even while you move, depending on the provider

What type of home insurance do movers need?

Movers typically need:

Buildings insurance
Most lenders ask for buildings insurance when you get a mortgage.

Contents insurance This type of insurance helps protect your belongings. It covers things like your furniture, personal items, and other things you have in your home.

Many movers go for combined buildings and contents insurance. You often get this for less than buying two plans. Homeowners and buyer groups both say the same thing. They tell people to get cover early for peace of mind.

Look at home insurance quotes and pick the cover that works for your new home.

How to avoid overspending when moving home

Budget for unexpected costs

Add a backup amount of 5–10% of the purchase price.
For a £300,000 home, that is £15,000–£30,000. Change this if you think you will have a long chain or if your completion is in September or at the end of the year when trades are very busy.

Don’t pay trades in full upfront

Deposits happen all the time.
But it is not usual to pay everything before the job is finished. If you have to pay a big amount, you can use credit cards for more safety.

Get multiple quotes

Never accept the first price for:

• Removals
• Carpets
• Blinds
• Tradespeople

Protect the house before moving in

Home insurance is needed if you have a mortgage. You can not skip it. Your lender will ask for it. This is to help protect your house. You need to pay for home insurance while you pay your loan.

Get the best home insurance quotes so you do not pay too much for your new property.

FAQs about unexpected moving costs