Moving Cost Calculator
Get a ballpark cost for moving home. Estimate from the size of your place, the distance, and whether you hire a full-service removal firm or do it yourself with a hired van — plus the extras people forget.
How to use this calculator
- Pick your home size and whether you'll DIY or hire movers.
- Enter the distance and any extras (packing, insurance, storage).
- Use the estimate to sanity-check the quotes you get.
Formula used
Removal firms typically charge by crew-hours (bigger homes take longer) plus a distance surcharge for longer moves. DIY is mostly van hire and fuel — cheaper in cash but not in time and effort.
Example calculation
A 2-bed move with movers, 50 km, 200 extras: ~6 hrs crew at 60 = 360, + ~12 long-distance, + 200 = ~572.
The same move DIY might be ~200 in van and fuel — but a full day of your (and friends') labour.
DIY versus movers
Moving cost splits along one big decision: hire professionals or do it yourself. Removal firms price mainly on time — a bigger home means more crew-hours — plus a surcharge for distance, and the convenience is real: they bring the muscle, the van and the know-how for awkward furniture. DIY slashes the cash cost to little more than van hire and fuel, but shifts the burden to your own time, your friends' goodwill, and the risk of damage or injury moving heavy items.
The hidden variables that swing real quotes are access and volume: stairs, long carries, tricky parking and sheer quantity of stuff all add hours. Timing matters too — summer and month-ends (when leases turn over) are peak and priced accordingly. This tool gives a planning ballpark; because those factors vary so much, always get written quotes before committing, and book early for a peak-season move.
Why use this calculator?
- Compare DIY versus hiring movers on cost.
- Size the estimate to your home and distance.
- A ballpark to check quotes against before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move house?
It varies hugely by size, distance and method. A local 2-bed move with movers is often several hundred; DIY with a hired van can be a fraction of that in cash but costs your time. Long-distance and larger homes cost substantially more. Get written quotes.
Is it cheaper to move yourself?
In cash, usually yes — DIY is mostly van hire and fuel. But it costs a day of hard labour, relies on friends, and risks damage or injury with heavy items. For small moves DIY makes sense; for large or long-distance ones, movers are often worth it.
What makes moving quotes vary so much?
Access (stairs, long carries, parking), the volume of belongings, exact distance, and timing. Summer and end-of-month are peak and cost more. Packing services, insurance and storage add to the base price.