What removals really cost in the North East

Fixed prices for a local move

For a move within about 25 miles, so Durham to Newcastle, Sunderland to Chester-le-Street, anywhere in that daily radius. The sensible way to buy removals is a fixed price by house size. These are our 2026 prices and they're representative of a decent North East firm:

National averages published by the big comparison sites run higher. Commonly £500 to £1,200 for a two-bed local move and £600 to £1,200 for a three-bed. The North East sits at the friendlier end of that range, which is worth knowing before you accept the first number you're given.

Small jobs: pay by the hour instead

For a single item, a part-load, a student move or a small flat, hourly is cheaper than a package:

A Luton holds about a one-bed flat's worth in one load. If you are weighing that up against hiring a van yourself, we have written a fuller breakdown of what actually fits in each van size, and the payload limit most people hit first. There's no mileage under 10 miles with us. Past that we quote the whole distance with your price.

Long distance: pay per route, not per hour

Being charged an hourly rate to sit on the A1 is a bad deal for everyone, which is why long-distance moves should be a fixed price with the fuel already in. Guide prices from the North East:

The going rate across the industry works out at roughly £1 to £2.50 per mile once you unpick it. Anything far below that usually means something's been left out.

What actually moves the price

• The day you move. Fridays, Saturdays and month-end are the industry's busiest slots and carry a peak uplift: 15% with us, more with many firms. Sundays and bank holidays are higher again. Moving Monday to Thursday, mid-month, is cheaper.
• Distance. Under 10 miles there's no mileage on a fixed price. Past 10 the whole distance is quoted with your price.
• Access. Stairs with no lift, long carries from the van, and awkward parking all add time. We charge stairs per flight, at each end, when there's no lift: £25 a flight on a one-bed up to £105 on a four-bed. Some firms bill it as extra hours, which is far less predictable.
• Packing. A full pack with materials runs £250 for a one-bed up to £750 for a four-bed. Nationally the same service is quoted anywhere from £300 to £1,600, so it's worth comparing.
• Dismantling. £20 for a large item like a wardrobe, bed or sofa, £10 for a small one like a table or desk.
• Specialist items. An upright piano starts at £180 on the ground floor. Grand pianos go to a specialist. Anyone quoting one casually over the phone hasn't moved many.
• Tolls and clean-air zones. The Tyne Tunnel, Newcastle's CAZ and London's ULEZ are real costs on some routes. We pass them through at cost; watch for firms that don't mention them until the invoice.

The tax trap

This is the one that catches people comparing quotes. Some firms have to add 20% in tax on top, and plenty of them quote the figure before it over the phone. A "£500" quote that becomes £600 loses to a £550 quote that stays £550. Nothing is added on top of ours — but ask the question either way, of everyone.

Deposits and cancellation

Plenty of removal firms ask for payment in full up front. Consumer bodies advise against paying large sums before the job, and we agree. We take a 30% deposit to secure the date, and the balance is due on completion. Our deposit is non-refundable, but with more than 72 hours' notice you can move the booking to another date for a £25 rebooking fee, and the deposit moves with it. Before exchange of contracts we will hold a date without taking a deposit at all.

So what should you budget?

For a typical North East move, most households land between £370 and £600 all in for a local two or three-bed, or £950 to £1,800 for the same house going a long way. Add packing if you want your weekend back. Anything dramatically below those numbers deserves the three questions above before you hand over a deposit.

One thing that comes off every figure on this page: if you work for the NHS or the emergency services, you serve or have served, you foster, you teach, you care for someone unpaid, or you are moving a care home resident or a registered charity, our community discount takes 10% off. You have to ring for it rather than claim it online.