Quick answer: the average cost to move a shop or retail unit
In 2026 the typical cost to move a shop or retail unit in the UK is £800 to £3500 for a local move under 25 miles. A long distance move of around 200 miles usually costs £1500 to £6000. The national midpoint sits close to £2150 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 | £800 to £3500 |
| Long distance move of 200 miles | £1500 to £6000 |
| Typical volume | 500 to 3000 cubic feet |
| Vehicle | One or two 7.5 tonne lorries |
| Crew size | Three to six movers |
| Time on the day | One night to two days |
Who usually needs to move a shop or retail unit
Independent shops moving to a better high street spot make up most retail moves. Rent reviews and footfall changes drive many of them.
Chains relocating branches and pop up stores moving between sites also need retail movers. Speed matters most. Every closed day costs sales.
Shop or retail unit 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 | £1020 to £4480 | £1920 to £7680 |
| South East England | £860 to £3780 | £1620 to £6480 |
| South West England | £780 to £3430 | £1470 to £5880 |
| East of England | £800 to £3500 | £1500 to £6000 |
| West Midlands | £720 to £3150 | £1350 to £5400 |
| East Midlands | £710 to £3120 | £1340 to £5340 |
| North West England | £740 to £3220 | £1380 to £5520 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £700 to £3080 | £1320 to £5280 |
| North East England | £680 to £2980 | £1280 to £5100 |
| Wales | £700 to £3050 | £1310 to £5220 |
| Scotland | £740 to £3260 | £1400 to £5580 |
How distance affects the cost to move a shop or retail unit
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 | £720 to £3150 |
| 10 to 25 miles | £800 to £3500 |
| 25 to 50 miles | £960 to £4200 |
| 50 to 100 miles | £1160 to £5080 |
| 100 to 200 miles | £1440 to £6300 |
| 200 miles or more | £1840 to £8050 |
What usually needs to be moved
Your quote is built on volume. This is a fair picture of a shop or retail unit before you declutter.
- Shelving and display units
- Counters and tills
- Stock in boxes and on rails
- Mannequins and signs
- Back office furniture
- Fridges or freezers for food retail
- Security systems
- Stock room racking
What pushes the price up or down
- Amount of stock and how fragile it is.
- Shop fittings that need taking apart.
- Overnight work to avoid closing.
- High street loading rules and parking.
- Chilled goods that need temperature control.
Extra services and what they cost
| Service | Typical extra cost |
|---|---|
| Crate hire per crate per week | £1 to £3 |
| IT disconnect and reconnect | £25 to £60 per workstation |
| Out of hours or weekend work | Add 20% to 50% |
| Secure data destruction | £40 to £120 per bin |
| Furniture disposal and recycling | £150 to £900 |
| Business storage per month | £120 to £1500 |
| Move management and planning | 5% to 10% of the job |
| Building protection and lift padding | £80 to £300 |
Hidden costs people often forget
- Shop fitting repairs after the move.
- New signs and permits.
- Stock losses from poor packing.
- Loading bay fees in shopping centres.
- Deep cleaning of the old unit.
How to save money on your shop or retail unit move
- Run a moving sale to cut stock.
- Move overnight or on your quietest day.
- Label stock by aisle so you can restock fast.
- Reuse shelving where you can.
- Compare quotes from firms with retail experience.
In house move or a specialist business mover?
Small shops sometimes move with a van and friends. It works for very small units. Fittings and fragile stock are easy to damage.
A retail mover works overnight and has you open the next morning. Their insurance covers stock and fittings in transit.
How long it takes and when to book
- Start planning two to three months ahead.
- Book the mover six to eight weeks out.
- Move overnight or on a quiet day.
- Restock and reopen the next morning.
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%.