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 extras that should be in the quote

This is where London differs. A quote should already include:

• The Congestion Charge, where the route crosses the zone during charging hours — or an early start that avoids it.
• ULEZ, which since the 2023 expansion covers every borough. A compliant van pays nothing, and neither should you.
• Parking suspensions or dispensations where a street has no space for a van.

If these appear as separate line items on the invoice after the job, that is a red flag. A written quote that folds them in is the clearest sign of a company that plans the specifics of 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, the extras already inside it, 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, a congestion line, or an hour of overtime you did not agree to. Ask for everything in writing, and the number you are quoted is the number you pay.