Cost of a £1,000 House Move – Where Does Your Money Go?
Moving house is a major event, and hiring a professional removal company can make the process much smoother. However, many people wonder why a house move costs around £1,000 and what exactly they’re paying for. This blog post will break down the costs involved in a typical removal service, from start to finish, showing the true expenses removal companies face and the small profit margins they work with.
We’ll also compare the cost of using professional movers to what it would cost if you moved everything yourself, helping you make an informed decision.
1. What Does a £1,000 House Move Include?
A standard £1,000 removal service typically covers:
✔ Labour costs – Hiring a skilled team of movers
✔ Fuel costs – Transporting your belongings
✔ Vehicle hire and maintenance – Large removal vans or lorries
✔ Packing materials – Boxes, wrapping, and protective covers
✔ Insurance – Protecting your belongings
✔ Operational costs – Business expenses like wages, licensing, and storage
✔ Profit margin – The percentage the company actually earns
2. Full Breakdown of the £1,000 Cost
Labour Costs (£400 – £500)
A typical house move requires two to four professional movers to lift, load, and unload heavy furniture and boxes.
- 2 Movers (£20 per hour each) for 10 hours = £400
- Extra team member for large furniture (+£100 for the day)
- Total Labour Cost: £400 – £500
Labour is one of the most significant costs in a move, as removals are physically demanding, requiring experienced workers who can handle delicate and heavy items carefully.
Fuel and Transportation Costs (£100 – £150)
Fuel costs depend on the distance of the move. A local move might only use £50 of fuel, while a longer move could cost over £100.
- Local Move (30-50 miles round trip) = £100
- Longer Move (100+ miles round trip) = £150+
- Total Fuel Cost: £100 – £150
On top of fuel, vehicle maintenance and insurance for a removal van costs companies around £3,000 – £5,000 per year, which is factored into the pricing.
Vehicle Hire and Maintenance (£100 – £150)
Removal companies either own or lease large Luton vans, 7.5-tonne lorries, or HGVs. If the company leases the vehicle, the cost per job includes:
- Van Lease Costs (£500 per month) = £25-£50 per job
- Maintenance, MOT, Road Tax, Repairs (£200-£300 per month)
- Parking Fees and Congestion Charges (if in London) = £25+
- Total Vehicle Costs: £100 – £150 per job
Packing Materials (£50 – £100)
Packing materials protect your furniture, fragile items, and valuable possessions. Even if you pack most of your belongings yourself, removal companies provide wrapping for furniture, mattresses, and fragile items.
- Moving Boxes (10-15 large boxes) = £30
- Bubble Wrap & Packing Paper = £20
- Heavy-Duty Tape = £10
- Furniture Covers & Protective Wrapping = £20
- Total Packing Costs: £50 – £100+
Insurance and Business Costs (£100 – £150)
Reputable removal companies offer public liability insurance and goods-in-transit insurance to protect your belongings in case of damage or loss.
- Goods-in-Transit Insurance (up to £50,000) = £50 per job
- Public Liability Insurance = £25 per job
- Admin, Customer Support & Licensing Fees = £25 per job
- Total Insurance & Business Costs: £100 – £150
Additional Costs Removal Companies Face
Aside from the direct expenses for each move, removal companies must cover ongoing business expenses, including:
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost | Cost Per Job (5 jobs per week) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Rent & Office Utilities | £1,000 | £50 |
| Website, Marketing & Advertising | £500 | £25 |
| Staff Wages (Admin & Management) | £3,000 | £150 |
| Vehicle Depreciation | £1,000 | £50 |
3. Total Cost Breakdown for a £1,000 Move
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Labour Costs | £400 – £500 |
| Fuel | £100 – £150 |
| Vehicle Hire & Maintenance | £100 – £150 |
| Packing Materials | £50 – £100 |
| Insurance & Business Costs | £100 – £150 |
| Total Cost | £850 – £1,050 |
How Much Profit Does a Removal Company Make?
On a £1,000 house move, a removal company may only make £50 – £150 in profit after all expenses. This shows that removals are not highly profitable – companies operate on tight margins while providing essential, high-quality services.
4. What Would It Cost Without a Moving Company?
If you decided to move without professional help, you would still have to cover many costs yourself.
| DIY Moving Costs | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Van Hire (One Day) | £100 – £200 |
| Fuel | £50 – £100 |
| Packing Materials | £50 – £100 |
| Insurance (if needed) | £50 – £100 |
| Labour (if hiring friends/helpers) | £200+ |
| Total DIY Cost | £500 – £800+ |
Is DIY Moving Worth It?
While a DIY move may seem cheaper, you risk:
❌ Physical strain & injury – Lifting heavy furniture without professional experience
❌ Damaging furniture or property – No professional handling or insurance cover
❌ Longer moving time – A full house move can take a full day or more
❌ Stress and exhaustion – Managing every detail on your own
Conclusion: Is a £1,000 Removal Service Worth It?
When you break down the costs, a £1,000 house move is fair considering the amount of work, time, and expenses involved. Removal companies have small profit margins, but they offer a stress-free, efficient, and professional service, ensuring your belongings arrive safely at your new home.
If you need a reliable, affordable moving company in Leicestershire, the East Midlands, or across the UK, MNM Removals is here to help!
📞 Call us today on 0800 0025 543 for a free quote!
📧 Email us at contact@mnmremovals.co.uk
Let MNM Removals take the stress out of your move – because moving should be exciting, not exhausting!
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