Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information for the UK, not financial advice.
Moving house is expensive before you’ve even thought about the new place. Removals, boxes, cleaning, overlapping rent, a van, takeaways because the kitchen’s packed… it adds up fast.
We’ve moved several times since coming to the UK in 2008, and the biggest lesson we learned is that the less you move, the less you pay. Here are 20 ways to move house cheaply, from decluttering and free boxes to who to tell so you don’t end up paying two lots of bills.
Quick answer: declutter and sell before you pack, get at least three removal quotes (or use a man with a van), move on a weekday if you can, use free boxes, and tell every company your moving date so you only pay for one home.
Before you move: cut what you take
1. Declutter first, pack second
Every box costs time and money to pack, carry and unpack. Go room by room and ask: would I buy this again? If not, it doesn’t come.
2. Sell what you don’t need
Selling before a move pays twice: you earn money and pay less to move. I once made £180 in a week selling on local Facebook groups. Here’s how to sell on Facebook groups, and my guide to things to sell for cash.
Tip: take lots of photos from different angles, add measurements, and say “collection only” for big items so buyers do the carrying.
3. Give away the rest (and skip the tip run)
Hiring a van to go to the tip costs money. Giving things away is free, and someone else gets to use them.
- Charity collections: the British Heart Foundation offers free collection of furniture and electrical items (BHF). Items need to be in saleable condition, and by law upholstered furniture (like sofas and padded chairs) must have its fire safety label. Other charities offer collections too.
- Freecycle, Freegle or Facebook Marketplace: list it free and people will collect.
What we did: when we moved, our dark brown sofa was in good condition but didn’t suit the new living room. We gave it, along with some shelves, to the British Heart Foundation instead of paying to get rid of it.
4. Use up the freezer and cupboards
Plan meals for the last two or three weeks around what’s in the freezer and cupboards. Less to move, less food wasted, and a smaller food bill.
Packing for less
5. Get free boxes
Supermarkets, off-licences and local shops often have sturdy boxes they’re happy to give away. Ask at a quiet time. Local Facebook and Freecycle groups are full of people giving away boxes after their own move.
6. Pack with what you already have
Use suitcases, laundry baskets, bags and drawers. Wrap glasses and plates in towels, tea towels, clothes and bedding instead of buying bubble wrap.
7. Label everything by room
Write the room and a short list on each box. It saves time, and if you’re paying movers by the hour, time is money.
8. Pack yourself
Removal firms usually charge extra for packing. Doing it yourself, over a few weeks, is one of the easiest savings.
Moving day: removals for less
9. Get at least three quotes
Prices vary a lot between firms. Ask each one the same questions: what’s included, is it a fixed price or hourly, is insurance included, and what happens if the move is delayed?
10. Consider a man with a van
For a small flat, or just the big furniture, a man with a van can cost much less than a full removal firm. When we were buying second-hand furniture, we often hired a man with a van to collect it for about £40.
11. Move on a weekday, mid-month
Fridays, weekends and the end of the month are popular moving days. If you have any choice, a mid-week, mid-month move may be cheaper and easier to book.
12. Book early
Last-minute bookings can cost more, especially in summer. Book as soon as you have a date, but check the cancellation terms in case it moves.
13. Ask friends (and feed them)
If you’re moving a short distance, friends with a car and a few pizzas can move a lot of boxes.
14. Check your home insurance
Some home insurance policies cover your things while they’re being moved. Check before paying extra. See my guide to home insurance explained.
Don’t pay for two homes: who to tell
15. Tell your energy, water and broadband providers
Give each one your moving date and take meter readings (with dated photos) on the day you leave and the day you arrive. That way you only pay for what you used. Ask your broadband provider early, as some need notice to move your service, and check whether you’re still in contract.
16. Tell the council
Tell your old and new councils your moving date so your council tax is worked out correctly. If you’ll live alone, ask about the 25% single person discount. My council tax discount calculator shows what you could get.
17. Update your address with DVLA (it’s free)
Changing the address on your driving licence and vehicle log book is free, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA (GOV.UK). Watch out for websites that charge to do it for you.
18. Cancel or move subscriptions and memberships
Gyms, local clubs, veg boxes and delivery subscriptions. Moving is a good time to cancel the ones you don’t use. See how to cancel subscriptions.
19. Redirect your post (or tell everyone)
Royal Mail offers a paid redirection service. It’s useful, but you can save money by telling your bank, employer, GP, dentist, school, HMRC and anyone else who writes to you, before you move.
If you’re renting
20. Get your deposit back in full
- Clean thoroughly and take dated photos and videos of every room when you leave.
- Compare with your check-in inventory. Normal wear and tear shouldn’t come out of your deposit.
- Know your rights. In England and Wales, your landlord must protect your deposit in a government-backed scheme within 30 days of getting it, and return it within 10 days of you both agreeing how much you’ll get back (GOV.UK). If you disagree, the scheme has a free dispute service.
A money tip from our renting years: we moved three times while renting furnished flats, so we only bought our own furniture once, when we settled. Much of it was second-hand. In those days, eBay was full of “collection only” furniture for 99p or £1 from people downsizing who just wanted it gone.
If you’re buying
Moving is only one part of the cost. There’s also stamp duty, solicitors’ fees, surveys and more. Use my stamp duty calculator and read the hidden costs of buying a house so nothing catches you out.
Moving house cheaply: people also ask
What’s the cheapest way to move house?
Declutter and sell first, pack yourself with free boxes, and use a man with a van or friends for a short move. If you need a removal firm, get at least three quotes and move on a weekday if you can.
How far ahead should I book a removal company?
As soon as you have a firm date. Popular dates fill up, especially in summer and at the end of the month. Check the cancellation terms in case your date changes.
Do I have to tell DVLA when I move?
Yes. It’s free to change the address on your driving licence and log book, and you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA.
When should I take meter readings when I move?
On the day you move out and the day you move in. Take dated photos of each meter and send the readings to your suppliers, so you only pay for what you used.
Where can I get free moving boxes?
Ask supermarkets and local shops, and check local Facebook, Freecycle and Freegle groups, where people often give away boxes after a move.
Summary
- The cheapest move is a smaller move: declutter, sell and give away first.
- Pack yourself with free boxes and things you already own.
- Get three quotes, consider a man with a van, and move mid-week, mid-month if you can.
- Tell everyone your moving date and take meter readings so you don’t pay twice.
- Renting? Take photos and know your deposit rights.
Next step: pick one room this weekend and fill one box for selling and one for giving away.
General information only. I’m not a financial adviser.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): GOV.UK: change your address with DVLA · GOV.UK: tenancy deposit protection · British Heart Foundation: free furniture collection