If you are moving house in Cornwall, the first question is nearly always the same: how much is this going to cost? This guide explains how removal prices actually work, what pushes the price up or down, and where you can save money, using our own prices as the example.
Most Cornish removals are charged by the hour
For local moves, most removal firms in Cornwall charge an hourly rate for a crew and a van, usually somewhere between £50 and £80 an hour for two people and a Luton. Our rate is £65 an hour plus VAT (£78 inc VAT) for two men and a Luton van, with furniture blankets and straps included.
In practice, our moves range from around £60 for a small job to around £2,000 for a large house. Where yours falls depends on how much is moving, the distance and the access at both ends, which is why every move is quoted in writing first.
Always check whether a price includes VAT. A firm quoting £60 an hour plus VAT is charging £72 an hour, so compare like with like.
Roughly how long does a move take?
Every home is different, but as a rough guide for a local move with everything packed and ready:
- Studio or 1 bed flat: often around 3 to 4 hours
- 2 bed house: often around 4 to 6 hours
- 3 bed house: usually most of a day
At £65 an hour plus VAT, a 4 hour move with two men comes to £260 plus VAT (£312 inc VAT). These are guides, not quotes. We always give you a written price before you book.
What pushes the price up
- Packing on the day. If boxes are not packed when the crew arrives, the clock runs while they pack. This is the biggest single cause of moves taking longer than expected.
- Access. Narrow Cornish lanes, steep drives, flats with stairs and no parking outside all add time. Tell us about them when you ask for a quote.
- Distance between the two homes. A move from Hayle to St Ives is very different from Penzance to Exeter.
- Lofts, garages and sheds. These are where the surprise volume hides. Include them when you describe the move.
Self pack vs packing service: which saves more?
Self pack is the cheapest way to move. You box everything up before the day, and the crew only does the wrapping, loading, driving and unloading.
If you do not have the time, a packing service does not have to cost a fortune. Packing takes the most hands, but the move itself only needs two people. So rather than paying a full crew to pack, we can send an extra packer at £20 an hour plus VAT to help pack, then just two men to do the move.
For example, a 2 bed house packed by three people in three hours costs £255 plus VAT, then moved by two men in four hours for £260 plus VAT. That is £515 plus VAT (£618 inc VAT) in total, plus any materials. You only pay for the extra pair of hands while they are actually needed.
What packing materials cost
Packing materials add up quickly, so we sell ours at cost price. Boxes are around £2.50 each, and if you are local you can use our boxes for free and we collect them again after the move. Bubble wrap, for ceramics, glass, pictures and anything breakable, is £25 a roll. Tape is £5 for 9 rolls, £10 for 18 or £20 for 36.
Five ways to cut the cost of your move
- Get rid of things before you move. Every item you do not move is time you do not pay for.
- Be fully packed before the crew arrives, or book packers for the day before.
- Label every box by room, so unloading is quick.
- Take beds apart and empty drawers in advance if you can.
- Use free, reusable boxes. If you are local, borrow ours and we collect them afterwards.
Pianos, hot tubs and long distance items
Heavy and awkward items such as pianos and hot tubs take extra people and equipment, so mention them when you ask for a quote. We also move homes and deliver single items anywhere in the UK, not just within Cornwall.
Clearing and moving in one booking
Many moves in Cornwall involve downsizing, a probate property or moving a parent into care, where only some of the contents are going to the new home. Because we are a house clearance company as well as a removals team, we can clear what is not needed and move what is, in one booking. Anything with resale value is taken off your price.
Get a free removals quote
Tell us both addresses and roughly what is moving, and we will come back with a clear written price. See our house removals page for full details, or call 07843 930927.