What removals really cost in the North East

Removal quotes are hard to compare because half of them aren't really quotes — they're estimates that grow on the day. Here's what a move genuinely costs in the North East in 2026, what makes the number move, and the questions to ask so you're comparing like with like.

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 van swallows roughly a one-bed flat — a sofa, a double bed and mattress, a wardrobe, a washing machine and 30 to 40 boxes — comfortably more than a typical one-bed flat. The first 10 miles are included with us, then it's £1.20 a mile.

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 genuinely cheaper.
• Distance. Fixed local prices include the first 25 miles; beyond that it's £1.20 a mile.
• Access. Stairs above the second floor with no lift, long carries from the van, and awkward parking all add time. We charge £20 per floor above the second, at each end, when there's no lift; 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. Beds and tables around £20 an item, wardrobes and complex flat-pack £40.
• 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 VAT trap

This is the one that catches people comparing quotes. A VAT-registered firm must add 20%, and plenty of them quote ex-VAT over the phone. A "£500" quote that becomes £600 loses to a £550 quote that's genuinely £550. We're not VAT registered, so nothing is added on top — always ask the question either way.

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 refunded in full if you cancel with more than 48 hours' notice, and date changes are free with 48 hours' notice (or any time at all if you haven't exchanged yet).

So what should you budget?

For a typical North East move, most households land between £450 and £950 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.