Quick answer: the average cost to move a 1 bedroom flat
In 2026 the typical cost to move a 1 bedroom flat in the UK is £380 to £560 for a local move under 25 miles. A long distance move of around 200 miles usually costs £700 to £1000. The national midpoint sits close to £470 for a local job.
These prices assume a weekday move with a full service crew. Insurance and blankets are included. Packing and storage are extra. Figures come from quotes our vetted partners gave in 2025 and 2026 and from national price surveys.
| What you get | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Local move under 25 miles | £380 to £560 |
| Long distance move of 200 miles | £700 to £1000 |
| Typical volume | 350 to 600 cubic feet |
| Vehicle | One Luton van |
| Crew size | Two movers |
| Time on the day | 3 to 5 hours |
Who usually needs to move a 1 bedroom flat
First time renters and young professionals make up most 1 bed flat moves. Many are leaving shared homes or moving closer to work.
Couples moving in together often combine two small flats into one bigger home. Downsizers leaving a family house also end up here. They usually bring more furniture than the flat can hold. So a declutter first pays off.
1 bedroom flat removal costs by UK region
Where you live changes the price more than most people expect. Crew wages and fuel differ by region. So do parking rules and congestion charges. London is the dearest place in the country to move. The North East and Wales are usually the cheapest.
| Region | Local move | Long distance |
|---|---|---|
| London | £490 to £720 | £900 to £1280 |
| South East England | £410 to £600 | £760 to £1080 |
| South West England | £370 to £550 | £690 to £980 |
| East of England | £380 to £560 | £700 to £1000 |
| West Midlands | £340 to £500 | £630 to £900 |
| East Midlands | £340 to £500 | £620 to £890 |
| North West England | £350 to £520 | £640 to £920 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £330 to £490 | £620 to £880 |
| North East England | £320 to £480 | £600 to £850 |
| Wales | £330 to £490 | £610 to £870 |
| Scotland | £350 to £520 | £650 to £930 |
How distance affects the cost to move a 1 bedroom flat
Short moves are priced mostly on crew hours. Long moves add fuel and driver time and often an overnight stay. Once a move passes about 200 miles many firms charge for two days even if the unload is quick.
| Distance | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Under 10 miles | £340 to £500 |
| 10 to 25 miles | £380 to £560 |
| 25 to 50 miles | £460 to £670 |
| 50 to 100 miles | £550 to £810 |
| 100 to 200 miles | £680 to £1010 |
| 200 miles or more | £870 to £1290 |
What a typical inventory looks like
Your quote is built on volume. This is a fair picture of a 1 bedroom flat before you declutter.
- Double bed and mattress
- Sofa and coffee table
- Small dining table and two chairs
- Wardrobe or clothes rail
- Fridge freezer and washing machine
- TV and stand
- 15 to 25 boxes of kitchen items and clothes and books
What pushes the price up or down
- Floor level. A fourth floor flat with no lift can add an hour and £60 to £120.
- Parking. Paying for a bay suspension is often cheaper than a long carry from the next street.
- Shared stairwells in blocks may need booking with the managing agent.
- Moving on a Friday or at month end when tenancies start and finish.
- Bulky single items like an American fridge or a large corner sofa.
Extra services and what they cost
| Service | Typical extra cost |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | £120 to £210 |
| Fragile only packing | £50 to £90 |
| Packing materials | £30 to £70 |
| Dismantle and rebuild furniture | £40 to £120 per item set |
| Storage per week | £20 to £40 |
| Piano move | £150 to £450 |
| Council parking bay suspension | £25 to £180 |
| Weekend or bank holiday move | Add 10% to 25% |
Hidden costs people often forget
- Lift booking fees charged by some new build blocks.
- Deposit for protecting communal areas.
- Cleaning costs to get your tenancy deposit back.
- Key cutting and new locks.
- Parking tickets if no bay is reserved.
How to save money on your 1 bedroom flat move
- Move midweek. Tuesday to Thursday is often 10% to 15% cheaper.
- Pack yourself and ask only for fragile packing.
- Sell or donate big items you will not need.
- Share a van on a part load if you are moving far and can be flexible on dates.
- Get free boxes from supermarkets and friends.
Man and van or a full removals crew?
A man and van is often the best value for a 1 bed flat. Expect £40 to £70 an hour for one person and a van or £60 to £100 for two. Most flats fit in one trip.
Choose a full crew if you have many stairs or fragile items or you are moving far. Insurance limits on man and van services can be low. So check the cover before you book.
How long it takes and when to book
- Most moves take half a day.
- Book two to four weeks ahead.
- Allow longer for Fridays and the last week of the month.
- Confirm lift slots in writing a week before.
How to get an accurate quote
- Ask for a video or home survey. Phone estimates are often wrong by 20% or more.
- Tell the firm about stairs and lifts and parking before they quote.
- Check the quote says fixed price and lists every extra.
- Ask for the insurance cover per item and the total Goods in Transit limit.
- Compare at least three quotes from vetted firms. Prices for the same job often vary by 50%.