Quick answer: in the UK the removal firm sets the price, but the council sets the rules for parking the van, and some cities add a clean air charge. Our local guides set out what each council publishes, with national price ranges alongside, all checked in September 2026.
Moving home in the UK costs different amounts in different places for reasons that have little to do with the removal firm. Each council decides how you reserve space for a removal van, how much notice it needs and what it charges, and the answer can change from one London borough to the next. London, Birmingham and Glasgow also have clean air or low emission rules that can add a daily charge or a penalty for an older van, while Manchester and Leeds have no such charge.
Our city guides are built from the pages councils and transport authorities publish, read in September 2026, with national removal price ranges alongside so you can compare. Scotland has its own rules for buying and renting, and the Glasgow guide covers those.
Local guides
- Removal costs in the UK (2026): what people pay by home size
- Removals in London: parking suspensions, ULEZ and local costs
- Removals in Birmingham: parking suspensions, Clean Air Zone and costs
- Removals in Manchester: parking suspensions, clean air rules and costs
- Removals in Glasgow: parking suspensions, the LEZ and local costs
- Removals in Leeds: loading rules, parking dispensations and costs
Comparing UK removal firms
If you already know you want a removal company, our UK removal options comparison sets out the choices, and you can ask for quotes with one short form. Before you book, read how to choose a removal company.
Compare House Movers is a comparison and referral service, not a removal company. We do not carry out moves, and a listing here is not a recommendation.