"Cheapest" is different from "cheap and safe". These nine methods reduce a real removals bill without cutting corners on insurance, crew size or professionalism.
1. Move mid-month, mid-week
Fridays and end-of-month dates are 15–25% more expensive because 60% of British completions land there. A Tuesday or Wednesday between the 10th and 20th of the month is almost always the cheapest slot. See our cheapest-day guide.
2. Avoid July, August and December
School-holiday and Christmas peaks push prices up by 10–20%. January, February and November are the cheapest months.
3. Declutter ruthlessly first
Every removals quote is priced on volume. Shifting 15% less stuff typically drops the price by one lorry size. Sell on Vinted, Marketplace, or donate.
4. Do your own packing (or just fragiles)
Full packing typically adds £250–£600 to a 3-bed move. Choose part-packing (kitchen and fragiles only) and you save 60% of the difference. Order a free packing kit from your local Apex branch.
5. Book 4–6 weeks ahead
Last-minute bookings pay a premium of 10–20% because you're paying for whichever slot's left.
6. Get three fixed quotes, ignore the outlier
Three fixed written quotes reveal the real market rate. The cheapest is usually a bait price. Aim for the middle number from the firm that answered questions clearly.
7. Bundle storage with the move
Booking storage through your removals firm is 30–50% cheaper than a separate self-store contract, because the same crew loads it once, not twice.
8. Empty the loft in advance
Two hours of crew time cleared unpaid loft junk in every 3-bed move. Empty it two weeks before and knock 30 minutes off your bill.
9. Don't skimp on the right lorry size
Ordering a lorry that's too small means two trips. Two trips cost more than one bigger lorry. Talk your coordinator into the right lorry, not the smallest one. See 7.5-tonne, 12-tonne and 18-tonne.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cheapest way to move house in the UK?
- Move mid-week, mid-month, in a low season (January, February or November), with part-packing rather than full packing, and after decluttering aggressively. This combination typically saves 20–30% versus a peak-week fully-packed move.
- How can I move house on a small budget?
- Declutter first (shifts you into a smaller lorry), book 4–6 weeks ahead, pack yourself with a free box kit, and choose a Tuesday or Wednesday between the 10th and 20th of the month. Get three fixed written quotes and pick the middle price.
- Is moving in winter cheaper than summer?
- Yes. January, February and November are typically 10–20% cheaper than June, July and August. Weekday winter moves are often the single cheapest slot in the year.
Planning a move? Get a fixed price today.
Twenty years of British families trusted. One honest number, in writing, before we lift a box.