What a London Move Actually Costs — and Why

Removal quotes in London vary more than almost anywhere else in the country, and the reason is rarely the distance. Two moves of the same size, a mile apart, can differ by a couple of hundred pounds because of stairs, parking, and the time of week. Here is what actually sits behind the number.

The two ways a move is priced

Most London jobs fall into one of two shapes.

Man and van is priced by the crew and the hours. A single mover with a van starts at around £45 for the first couple of hours, two movers at roughly £65 for three hours, and three movers at about £95 for four. This suits studios, one-beds, and part-loads — anything where the work is measured in hours rather than a full day.

A full house move is priced as a job, not by the clock. For a two- or three-bed with a proper volume of furniture, a fixed price for the day removes the risk of the meter running while the crew waits on a lift or a parking bay. You know the number before anything is loaded.

What pushes the price up

• Stairs. Expect around £15 per floor with no lift, applied at both ends. A fourth-floor flat with no lift at pickup and a second-floor drop-off adds up quickly, and it is the single most common reason two similar flats quote differently.
• Volume. A one-bed that has been lived in for six years holds far more than a freshly furnished let. Honest quotes are built on what is actually in the rooms, not the number of bedrooms.
• Distance and time. A cross-London run in traffic ties up the crew for longer than the mileage suggests. A Clapham-to-Islington move can take longer than a Clapham-to-Guildford one.
• Packing. A packing service is usually charged per packer per hour, with materials included. Most two-beds take two packers three to four hours.
• The day you choose. Weekend moves typically carry around a ×1.25 rate. Mid-week is cheaper and, because Fridays are when solicitors complete, usually easier to book.

The London charges that sit outside the removal price

This is where London differs. These are levied by a council or by Transport for London, not by the removal company, so they are the customer's to pay — but a quote should tell you which of them your move will trigger:

• The Congestion Charge, where the route crosses the zone during charging hours. A start before 7am avoids it altogether, which is usually the cheaper answer.
• ULEZ, which since the 2023 expansion covers every borough. A compliant van pays nothing, so with the right van this should cost you nothing at all.
• Parking suspensions or dispensations where a street has no space for a van. The borough sets the fee and the bay is booked for your address.

What matters is that these are identified and costed before the day, and passed on at cost rather than marked up. A company that has not raised them at all has probably not looked at your postcode.

Deposits and paying

A deposit of around 20% is normal to hold a date, with the balance due on the day. That is standard across reputable London firms — a company asking for nothing up front, or for the full amount in cash before the work, is worth a second look either way.

The honest summary

A good London quote is boring: a clear range for the work, any council or TfL charge named and costed separately, and a short review call to confirm the volume. If a headline price looks far below the rest, the difference usually reappears on moving day — as a stairs charge or an hour of overtime you did not agree to. Ask for everything in writing, and the number you are quoted for the move is the number you pay for the move.