The average cost of moving home has increased by 12% over the past year from £671 to £748, not including stamp duty, estate agency or legal fees, according to research by MoneySuperMarket.

As people move house on average 5.5 times during their lifetime, this equates to a total of £4,116 – up from last year when the total lifetime cost was £3,688.

The moving costs covered by the figures include removals, storage and cleaning.

A survey reveals that the most common additional costs when moving home are buying new furniture for 55% of respondents and buying other household items such as bedding or kitchen utensils for 53%.  

Nearly a quarter of people have paid someone with a van to help them move.

The biggest motivator for moving cited in 2021 was the desire to move in with a partner for 29%; to get onto the housing ladder for 28%; and to get more space for 27%. 

Aberdeen is the most expensive location for moving home, with average costs of £1,020 – almost double the cost in Gloucester, the cheapest city in the country at £518.

MoneySuperMarket’s Jo Thornhill says: “The cost of moving house is a well-known challenge for Brits. 

“It’s an issue that has come into sharp focus over the past 18 months with the housing market booming in response to government incentives like the stamp duty holiday. 

“What is less well known are those additional costs of moving that can add a significant amount to your bill, over and above items like stamp duty, legal and estate agency fees.

“If you are considering moving, factor in things like cleaning, new household items, temporary storage space and professional movers to make sure your treasured possessions get from A to B safely and, crucially, to make sure you aren’t surprised with any unexpected bills.

“It’s also important that you have contents insurance before transporting your items to their new home – most policies will provide cover for your belongings against damage or loss while they’re in transit from one property to the next. 

But make sure you use a professional removals firm – many of which have their own insurance – to guarantee you benefit from this protection.”