The cost of moving house has increased to almost £10,000, with £1,332 of that amount alone being spent on removals, new figures reveal.

The average cost of moving home is £9,479, according to CompareMyMove, which of course excludes the price of the property, but does include estate agency fees, removal costs, and solicitors fees.

The average costs were calculated using the highest and lowest quotes that customers obtained from CompareMyMove’s removal partners listed on its website, along with the price they actually paid.

The data was collected from a total of 4,351 website users between 2019 and 2022.

CompareMyMove believes that the total cost of moving home will continue to rise. David Sayce, of CompareMyMove, said: ”House removal costs will increasingly become an issue when moving.’

It forecast future increases using the percentage rises already seen during the past four years.

It said the average house mover spent £848.02 on removals in 2019, which is an increase of 66.83 per cent to last year’s £1,332.03.

Extrapolating that into the future, however, has created some eye-watering forecats that many may question. For example, it said the cost of removals could rise from £1,583.31 on average in the East of England last year to £5,651.85.

However, a great deal of the rapid rise in the price of moving up to 2022, came from the spike in purchases during Covid, aided by the stamp duty holiday.

A wall of demand met limited supply and sent prices soaring. Property transactions have since fallen substantially and movers report costs coming down and removal firms being happy to negotiate.

Since 2019, many costs associated with removal firms have increased, including higher fuel costs and wages. However, fuel prices have come down since the peak of the pandemic.

The latest inflation figures show CPI at 8.7 per cent, down from 10.1 per cent, although still four times the Bank of England target of 2 per cent.

The pandemic saw a wave of people move out of urban areas to the countryside following successive lockdowns amid the so-called housing market’s ‘race for space’.

It resulted in an unprecedented demand for removal firms, with some profiteering as firms were able to charge higher than normal prices.

The number of housing transactions has since dropped, although picked up at the start of the year again. Government figures estimated that the number of residential transactions in March 2023 is 94,870, 14 per cent lower than March 2022 and 26 per cent higher than February 2023.

The type and size of a property, of course, affects the cost of moving. The CompareMyMove research found that the cost of a one-bedroom house move increased the most from £323.52 in 2019 to £608.80 in 2022. It is an 88.2 per cent increase from 2019.

The figures show that two-bedroom moves saw the least change in price, increasing by 34.6 per cent from £755.47 to £1,017.06.

It is perhaps unsurprising that five-bedroom moves were the most expensive in 2022, up 55.9 per cent from £1,858.41 in 2019 to £2,897.25 in 2022.

How to cut the cost of moving

However, there are ways of negotiating the cost of removals, including choosing a quieter time of the week to move home, when demand for removals firms is lower. 

Charles Rickards, of removals firm Aussie Man & Van, said: ‘The cost of hiring a removals firm has inevitably risen along with everything else, thanks to soaring inflation and higher wage costs.

‘However, it is worth paying for a professional service provided by trained staff who do a good job. Be careful of opting for a disreputable firm who might let you down at the last minute because they appear ‘cheaper’, as the consequential cost of a bad move can be disastrous. Avoid comparison websites; use a ‘real’ firm and deal with them direct, rather than an intermediary.

‘There may be ways in which those moving house can reduce the price, perhaps by moving at a quieter time of the week, say a Monday or Tuesday, rather than on a Friday. Look for a BAR member, ask friends for recommendations and read the Trustpilot and Google reviews.

‘Those tempted to do the move themselves in order to ‘save’ on costs ought to think carefully about what’s involved. Moving is backbreaking work and it’s always worth calling in the professionals. You could cut costs by doing your own packing but again, there is a risk associated with this. Our movers are trained to pack carefully and efficiently.’

China is actively pursuing the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors to secure its position in the global race for technological superiority, which has become a significant source of geopolitical tension with the United States.

Recognizing the critical importance of these two fields for China’s economic and military future, Beijing is intensifying its efforts to find domestic solutions. This comes at a time when the U.S. is aiming to restrict Chinese access to cutting-edge technology necessary for high-tech microchip production. Through substantial investments and President Xi Jinping’s call for “self-sufficiency” in science and technology, China’s strategy focuses on fostering a collaborative environment that accelerates development and narrows the gap between China and the West.

During a speech at the ZGC Forum, Mei Jianping of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology acknowledged the existing gap in various areas crucial to AI progress compared to developed countries. The technology fair, held in Beijing’s Zhongguancun district, a prominent tech hub, prominently features AI as one of its hot topics. Mei emphasized the need for an exchange of ideas and collective contributions to position China’s next generation of AI and its scientific and technological industry on par with the rest of the world.

The ZGC Forum encompasses various events related to sustainable development, financial technology, smart cities, identifying transformative young entrepreneurs, and the significance of innovation in state-run companies.

Dr. Yu Yue, from the Strategic Alliance for Technological Innovation in the Chinese Artificial Intelligence Industry, outlined China’s plan to boost technological growth through the establishment of a nationwide network of AI developers. The objective is to ensure high-quality development at every computing center and promote extensive collaboration, constructing a comprehensive network that facilitates the new model of AI technology development.

To inaugurate the ZGC Forum, President Xi sent a letter emphasizing the need for greater global collaboration without explicitly mentioning U.S. restrictions. Xi highlighted the importance of international cooperation, openness, and knowledge sharing to address common development challenges amid the ongoing scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation.

Renowned figures such as Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also participated in the forum, expressing their belief that China has the potential to contribute uniquely by sharing its technologies and experiences.

The forum takes place against the backdrop of strained U.S.-China relations due to repeated disputes over Taiwan and the U.S. shooting down an alleged Chinese spy balloon that violated American airspace without permission. However, recent weeks have shown some signs of thawing, as mentioned by U.S. President Joe Biden during the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

Another positive development occurred with a meeting between China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, and his U.S. counterpart, Gina Raimondo. Described as “candid” by the American government, the talks addressed the impacts each country’s actions have had on the microchip sector. Wang expressed concerns regarding the U.S.’s China policies related to the economy, trade, semiconductors, export control, and outbound investments review. Raimondo, in turn, voiced her concerns about China’s increasing restrictions on U.S. interests, such as the recent ban on the use of Micron’s semiconductors in critical infrastructure projects.

China’s actions can be partially seen as a response to Washington’s decision in October to limit exports of microchip-manufacturing technologies to China, aiming to prevent China from developing cutting-edge weapons. These microprocessors are essential for AI and the advancement of other state-of-the-art technologies like smart electric vehicles. Taiwan plays a significant role in this standoff as it produces 60% of global microchips and 90% of the most advanced variants. The country’s capability to produce three-nanometer chips surpasses China’s, making it a crucial factor in this landscape. In March, Xi directly accused the U.S. of leading a Western strategy of “containment, encirclement, and suppression” against China to hinder its development.

Despite the geopolitical tensions, the atmosphere at the ZGC Forum was marked by confidence in the future. Huo Jiaqi, a 23-year-old postgraduate student from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, expressed optimism, stating that China has overcome similar challenges in its history. The forum showcased a wide range of technological advancements, including smart humanoid robots, police robots, drones, and metaverse avatars parading on LED screens.

In summary, China is determined not to be left behind in the global race for technological superiority in AI and semiconductors. The country recognizes the significance of these fields for its economic and military progress. With substantial investments and a focus on fostering collaboration and development, China aims to bridge the gap with developed countries. The ZGC Forum serves as a platform for discussing and showcasing advancements in various technological areas. Despite the ongoing tensions with the U.S., there are indications of a potential thaw in relations, as recent meetings between Chinese and U.S. officials demonstrate. The forum reflects China’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency and becoming a key player in the global technology landscape.

A room with a view! Luxury three-bed flat in Grade II-listed Star and Garter House that overlooks Richmond Park and the Thames goes on sale for £6M

• Historic building was designed by Sir Edwin Cooper and dates back to 1924 
• It comes with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, separate WC and 2 receptions rooms

By Miriam Kuepper

Published: 13:31 EDT, 29 May 2023 | Updated: 13:35 EDT, 29 May 2023