Rising Fuel Costs and Your Home Move: What You Need to Know

Moving home: budgeting for removals and the wider costs

When preparing to buy or move home, it’s natural to focus on your deposit, mortgage fees and legal costs. But the cost of getting your belongings to your new home also needs a place in your budget.

Higher fuel costs can put pressure on removal firms’ operating expenses, although the effect on individual quotes will vary. Planning ahead and checking what’s included can help you manage the cost.

How fuel costs can affect removals

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero figures for the week commencing 12 October 2026 put average UK diesel prices at 200.04p per litre and petrol at 175.28p per litre.

Diesel was approximately 57p per litre more expensive than a year earlier. That means buying 100 litres cost around £57 more than it did twelve months previously.

For removal businesses running vehicle fleets, this increases fuel expenses. However, it doesn’t translate directly into a particular increase in your removal bill. Quotes also depend on the distance travelled, volume of belongings, access arrangements, staffing and services required.

Understanding the wider cost of moving

Reallymoving’s 2026 research puts the average cost of buying and selling a home in England at £17,413. This includes Stamp Duty Land Tax, conveyancing, estate agent fees, a Level 2 survey, an Energy Performance Certificate and removals.

The total was 2.3% lower than in 2025, although the research reported a 74% increase in real terms over the past decade. It is a broad estimate for buying and selling, rather than a removals bill or a budget that will apply to every household.

Your own costs will depend on the property, location, whether you are also selling and your tax position.

Property transaction taxes differ across the UK:

• England and Northern Ireland: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) may apply.
• Scotland: Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) may apply.
• Wales: Land Transaction Tax (LTT) may apply.

The amount payable depends on the purchase price, your circumstances and any relevant reliefs or additional-property charges.

The legal process also differs. In Scotland, most homes marketed for sale require a Home Report, although exceptions apply. A purchase becomes legally binding when missives are concluded. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this generally happens at exchange of contracts.

Budget beyond moving day

Alongside your deposit, allow for mortgage product fees, legal and search fees, surveys, any valuation charge and any mortgage advice fee.

Your ongoing household budget should also include:

• Maintenance and repairs: Set aside money for regular upkeep and unexpected problems with the property.
• Buildings and contents insurance: Check with your solicitor and lender when buildings insurance must begin. Arrange suitable contents cover for your belongings, including any protection needed during the move.
• Council Tax or domestic rates: Budget for Council Tax in England, Scotland and Wales, or domestic rates in Northern Ireland.
• Property management charges: Check for any applicable service charges, reserve fund contributions, factoring fees, estate charges or ground rent.
• Household bills: Include energy, water where charged separately, broadband and other regular commitments.

Checking these costs before committing to a purchase gives you a clearer picture of what you can comfortably afford.

Practical steps to manage your removal budget

A few early checks can help reduce the risk of unexpected charges:

• Compare written quotes: Ask what is included, particularly packing, dismantling furniture, insurance, storage and VAT.
• Check the price terms: Confirm how long the quote remains valid, whether the price is fixed and whether fuel surcharges or other additional charges can apply.
• Declutter before requesting quotes: Reducing the volume of belongings may reduce the vehicle space and labour required.
• Explain access restrictions: Tell the firm about stairs, lifts, parking restrictions and any distance between the vehicle and your front door.
• Plan for delays: Check waiting-time charges and the terms for changing or cancelling your booking if your moving date changes.
• Keep a contingency fund: Leave room in your budget for unexpected costs, including temporary storage or an additional journey.

Early quotes can help you plan, but check cancellation terms before booking around an unconfirmed completion date.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

How we can help

At Anderson Reed Financial Services, we provide mortgage advice tailored to your circumstances, with access to a wide range of lenders through the Connect network.

If you would like to understand how your moving budget fits alongside your mortgage options, speak to our team. We can help you compare rates, fees and product features with your wider plans in mind.