Cost to Move a 1 & 2 Bedroom Flat or House in Sussex
The cost to move a 2 bedroom house in Sussex is typically around £550 to £900 for a standard local move, while a 1 bedroom flat usually runs from about £400 to £650. The exact figure depends on how much you own, the distance, the access at both ends, and whether you add packing. This guide breaks down the prices for small homes so you know what a fair quote looks like.
One and two bedroom moves are the most common jobs Sussex removers handle, from first-time buyers and renters in Brighton and Hove to downsizers across Worthing, Eastbourne and Crawley. Because the volume of belongings is relatively small, these moves are also where a man and van can compete with a full removals firm, so it pays to understand the price before you book.
Typical prices for small moves in Sussex
For a standard local move (under about 15 miles, reasonable access), expect roughly:
- Studio or 1 bedroom flat: around £400 to £650
- 2 bedroom flat: around £500 to £800
- 2 bedroom house: around £600 to £900
A house usually costs a little more than a flat of the same bedroom count, because there tends to be more furniture, a garden and sometimes a loft. These are guide ranges for 2026, not fixed quotes, so use them to sense-check what you are offered rather than as a promise.
Man and van or a removals firm?
For a 1 bedroom flat with not much furniture, a man and van charged by the hour is often the cheapest route, especially if you do your own packing and help carry. For a 2 bedroom home, the choice is closer: a proper removals crew brings more hands, better insurance and a faster, safer job, which can be worth the extra. Compare a fixed removals quote against an estimated man-and-van total (hours times rate, plus any call-out and mileage) before you decide. Our man and van cost guide has the hourly rates.
What changes the price
- How much you own: a sparsely furnished flat moves faster and cheaper than a crammed one. Declutter first.
- Floor and access: a third-floor flat with no lift, or a Brighton terrace with no parking outside, adds carrying time and cost.
- Distance: a cross-town move is cheap; moving from one end of Sussex to the other costs more.
- Packing: packing yourself saves money; a packing service adds to the bill but saves time and protects fragile items.
- Date: month-end, Fridays and bank holidays are the priciest, busiest slots.
Extra costs to budget for
On top of the removal quote, set aside money for boxes and packing materials if you self-pack, any parking suspension permit if a lorry needs to stop on a controlled street, and storage if your move-in and move-out dates do not line up. If you are buying, your conveyancing and any Stamp Duty Land Tax are separate again; HM Revenue and Customs publishes the current SDLT thresholds at gov.uk, and most small flats fall below or near the starting threshold.
How to keep a small move cheap
Move midweek and earlier in the month, declutter so there is less to shift, pack non-fragile items yourself in advance, and sort parking near both doors so the crew is not walking boxes a long way. Always get two or three written quotes for the same job, and check each includes mileage, any parking and VAT so you are comparing like with like. For the bigger picture across all home sizes, see our Sussex removal costs price guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move a 2 bedroom house in Sussex?
A standard local move of a 2 bedroom house in Sussex typically costs around £600 to £900, with a 2 bedroom flat slightly less at about £500 to £800. Packing, long distances and difficult access push it higher.
How much does it cost to move a 1 bedroom flat?
A 1 bedroom flat usually costs around £400 to £650 for a local move. With little furniture, a man and van charged by the hour is often the cheapest option, especially if you pack yourself.
Is a man and van cheaper than a removals company?
For a 1 bedroom flat, usually yes. For a 2 bedroom home it is closer, because a full removals crew brings more hands and better cover. Compare a fixed quote against an estimated man-and-van total before booking.
Does packing add much to the cost?
A packing service typically adds to the bill but saves you time and protects breakables. For a small flat the saving from packing yourself is modest, so weigh time against money.
When is the cheapest time to move?
Midweek and earlier in the month are cheapest. Avoid the last working day of the month, Fridays and bank holiday weekends, which are the busiest and most expensive slots.