Self-Move vs Removal Company — Cost Comparison

Is Doing It Yourself Actually Cheaper?

Moving house yourself — hiring a van, recruiting friends, doing all the heavy lifting — is often presented as the budget-friendly option. And in some circumstances it genuinely is. But the total cost difference between a self-move and a professional removal service is smaller than most people assume, and the non-financial costs are considerably higher.

Use our [moving cost calculator](/moving-cost-calculator) to model your specific scenario. This guide provides the comparative framework.

The True Cost of a Self-Move

**Van hire:** A Transit-sized van suitable for a 2-bedroom flat costs £80–£150 per day in 2026 from national hirers (Enterprise, Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, Hertz). A Luton van or long-wheelbase Transit (better for 3-bedroom houses) costs £100–£200 per day. If you need the van for two days (often necessary for larger properties), double these figures.

**Fuel:** A Luton van gets roughly 25–30 miles per gallon. A 100-mile round trip costs approximately £25–£35 in diesel at 2026 prices. A 250-mile move costs £60–£90 in fuel.

**Mileage fees and insurance:** Some van hire companies charge excess mileage fees if you exceed the daily included mileage. Standard van hire CDW (collision damage waiver) insurance is usually included, but check the excess — it can be £1,000–£2,500, which you may want to reduce with an additional excess waiver (£15–£25/day).

**Helpers:** Professional removal companies carry trained staff who know how to disassemble furniture, protect floors and walls, and pack efficiently. Friends helping you move need feeding, may be unfit for heavy lifting, and may damage items without any liability whatsoever. A meal and drinks for four helpers easily adds £80–£150.

**Time:** A removal company with three experienced professionals and proper equipment will move a 3-bedroom house in 6–8 hours. Four friends with no experience may take 12–16 hours for the same job. That is a working day of your time (and theirs) — which has real value even if you do not cost it explicitly.

**Insurance:** Goods in transit insurance does not come standard with van hire. If you break a mirror, drop a television, or scratch furniture, you bear the full cost. Replacement value insurance is available as an add-on from some van hire companies (£10–£20/day) but with limited coverage limits.

The True Cost of a Professional Removal Company (Self-Pack)

For a 2-bedroom flat (local move, self-pack): £500–£800 all in.

For a 3-bedroom house (local move, self-pack): £900–£1,400 all in.

This is substantially more than the bare van hire cost — but the comparison includes:

• Professional handling of large and awkward items
• Proper van, blankets, and strapping to prevent damage
• Goods in transit insurance (up to replacement value)
• Disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture
• Driving (no need to drive an unfamiliar large vehicle)
• Significantly less time and physical effort on the day

When a Self-Move Makes Sense

Do it yourself when:

• You are moving from a furnished flat to an unfurnished flat with minimal furniture
• The move is local (under 15 miles) and manageable in one or two van loads
• You have at least three fit, available helpers
• Your most valuable items are insured via your contents policy during transit
• You have moved before and know what is involved

When to Hire Professionals

Use a removal company when:

• You have 3+ bedrooms of furniture
• You have heavy, awkward, or valuable items (pianos, large wardrobes, artwork)
• The move is more than 50 miles
• Your completion is on a Friday and you want certainty that everything is in by 6pm
• You are already exhausted from the purchase process and do not want a physically punishing day on top of completion

The Middle Ground

The most efficient approach for many moves: hire a removal company for the large furniture and appliances (one van load), and move boxes yourself in your car over the preceding week. This hybrid approach can reduce your removal bill by 40–50% while keeping the stressful, heavy work in professional hands.

Run both scenarios through our [moving cost calculator](/moving-cost-calculator) to see which makes more sense for your specific move.