Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make and knowing exactly how much does it cost to sell a house, is going to help you plan your property’s price properly.
Many homeowners underestimate the total costs involved. Beyond estate agent fees, there are legal costs, certificates, and other expenses that add up quickly.
This guide explains all the costs you’ll face when selling a home in the UK. You’ll learn what to expect, how to plan your budget, and where you might be able to save money along the way.
The Total Cost of Selling a House in the UK
The average cost of selling a house in 2025 is £6,601 based on a property worth £292,000. This includes the main expenses but can vary significantly depending on your property value and circumstances.
When you’re planning for how much does it cost to sell a house, your total expenses typically range from £5,000 to £8,000 for an average-priced property.
Estate Agent Fees: Your Biggest Selling Cost
Estate agent fees represent the largest expense when selling your home.
Fee Type | Percentage Range | Example Cost (£275,000 Property) |
Sole Agency (One Agent) | 1.2% – 1.8% (inc. VAT) | £3,300 – £4,950 |
Multiple Agency (Two+ Agents) | 3.0% – 3.6% (inc. VAT) | £8,250 – £9,900 |
Average UK Estate Agent Fee | 1.42% (inc. VAT) | £3,900 |
The average estate agent fee in 2025 is 1.42% including VAT, so on a £275,000 house this would mean estate agent fees of around £3,900.
- How Estate Agent Fees Work
Most traditional estate agents charge a percentage of your final sale price. The percentage depends on several factors including your location, property value, and whether you use one agent or multiple agents.
For sole agency agreements where you instruct just one estate agent, typical fees are 1.2% to 1.8% inc VAT, and for multiple agency agreements using two or more agents to sell your property, typical fees are 3% to 3.6% inc VAT.
The percentage structure means agents earn more when your property sells for a higher price, aligning their interests with yours. However, you typically don’t pay anything until your property completes, assuming you have a “no sale, no fee” agreement.
- Fixed Fee vs Percentage Fee
Some agents, particularly online estate agents, offer fixed fees rather than percentages. Fixed fees typically range from £0 to £999 but often require upfront payment whether your property sells or not.
Traditional percentage fees mean you only pay upon successful completion, but the total cost can be higher for expensive properties.
Solicitor and Conveyancing Fees
Legal fees are the second major cost when selling your home. You need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal transfer of your property to the buyer.
Property Type | Average Legal Fee (inc. VAT) | Average Disbursements | Total Cost |
Freehold Property | £1,190 – £1,256 | £277 | £1,467 – £1,533 |
Leasehold Property | £1,506 – £1,587 | £277 | £1,783 – £1,864 |
- What Solicitor Fees Include
Your lawyer is responsible for a number of important legal duties such as checking the ownership of the property, creating contracts, answering legal questions posed by the buyer’s lawyer and transferring the funds on completion.
Based on our data, you can expect disbursement costs to be around £270 when selling a property. Disbursements are costs that your lawyer pays to a third party on your behalf, including Land Registry fees, identity checks and co-ordination of bank transfers.
Leasehold properties are likely to cost more because lawyers must review the lease, contact freeholders or managing agents (which you do not do in a freehold sale), and prepare lease documentation which is not required in a freehold sale.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC is legally required before you can market your property for sale. This certificate rates your property’s energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Property Type | EPC Cost Range |
Flat or Small House | £60 – £70 |
Average House | £65 – £90 |
Large or Detached House | £80 – £120 |
EPC prices typically range from £65 – 120, with the higher price being more likely if your house is large or situated in an expensive city.
EPCs last for 10 years, so you may already have a valid one. Check the UK EPC Register online using your postcode before paying for a new assessment.
If you do not get an EPC when selling a house, you could be fined up to £5,000. The certificate must be commissioned before your property goes on the market and made available to prospective buyers upon request.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the main three expenses, several other costs may apply depending on your specific circumstances.
Additional Cost | Amount | When It Applies |
Mortgage Exit Fees | £50 – £300 | If you have an outstanding mortgage |
Early Repayment Charges | 1% – 5% of outstanding balance | If you’re in a fixed-rate mortgage period |
Leasehold Information Pack | £200 – £350 | For leasehold properties only |
Removal Costs | £300 – £1,500+ | Depends on distance and volume |
- Mortgage-Related Costs
If you have an outstanding mortgage on your property, you’ll need to pay it off when you sell. Most lenders charge an exit administration fee, typically £50-£300.
More significantly, if you’re selling during a fixed-rate mortgage period, you may face early repayment charges. These can be substantial, sometimes reaching thousands of pounds. Check your mortgage terms carefully before proceeding with a sale.
- Leasehold-Specific Costs
Leasehold properties require additional documentation that freehold properties don’t. Your buyer’s solicitor will request a leasehold information pack from your freeholder or management company.
This pack includes details about service charges, ground rent, building insurance, and planned maintenance. The freeholder typically charges £200-£350 for preparing this information.
How Much Is My House Worth?
Before you can work out how much it will cost to sell your home, you first need to know what it’s worth. Knowing your property’s market value helps you plan your budget more accurately.
You can find out your home’s value in a few ways. Estate agents often offer free valuations, but they might give slightly higher estimates to win your business. Online tools can also give quick estimates based on recent sales in your area.
For the best idea, get valuations from a few different agents and compare them. You can also check websites like Ernest Brooks to see what similar homes near you have sold for.
Location plays a big role too. Homes in popular London areas, for example, often sell for higher prices because of great transport links and riverside views. But remember — higher property prices also mean higher selling fees since many costs are percentage-based.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a House?
Understanding the timeline helps you plan financially and personally for your move. The time it takes to sell a house varies based on these primary factors:
Stage | Typical Timeframe |
Property Listed to Offer Accepted | 38-62 days (5-9 weeks) |
Offer Accepted to Exchange of Contracts | 56-112 days (8-16 weeks) |
Exchange to Completion | 7-14 days (1-2 weeks) |
Total: Listing to Completion | 101-188 days (3.5-6.5 months) |
On average, properties in the UK go under offer within 38 days, but this varies according to the type of home you’re selling and where you live.
In total, the average home takes 185 days to sell from when it’s first marketed. That’s approximately six months from listing to completion, though this timeline can stretch longer if complications arise.
Several factors affect selling speed. Property type matters – two-bed terraces are going under offer in 27 days on average, while detached 4-bed homes are going under offer in 40 days.
Market conditions, pricing accuracy, property condition, and whether you’re in a property chain all significantly impact your timeline. Properties priced correctly for their market typically sell faster than overpriced homes.
If you want to learn more about the time it takes to sell a house, read this article: How long does it take to sell a house
7 Steps to Selling a House
Here you will find the steps to selling a house, in order to help you prepare effectively and avoid delays that could potentially cost you.
Step 1: Prepare your property.
Before listing your property, you should make it show-ready. This does not have to be an expensive renovation, but rather basic repairs, deep cleaning, and decluttering items will help make your home look more inviting to potential buyers.
Have together your important paperwork which includes the property deeds, certificates for past work undertaken that complies with the building regulations, warranties on installations, and the latest EPC if it is still in date.
Step 2: Choose an Estate Agent
You will ideally want to meet with several estate agents before making a decision. Take in to account any fees, but it’s important to also look at the success rate of achieving asking prices, average time taken to sell a property and their knowledge of the local market.
It is important not to just choose the cheapest estate agent first. An agent who sells your property for an additional 2-3% justification of listing fees in the additional sale price means the fees are worth it.
Step 3: Set Your Asking Price
Work with your estate agent to agree to a competitive asking price. Overpricing your home will lead to less interest and your home becoming tired on the market. Buyers cannot see past an overpriced property without further price reductions to entice them.
After your property has been unsold for months you usually will have to sell your property for less than you could have if you had marketed it properly from the start.
Step 4: Marketing and Viewings
Once you have agreed an asking price the estate agent will now market your property through all the portals, continue with the arrangements for viewings, and collect feedback to further assist your knowledgeable waiting time.
Step 5: Negotiate and Accept an Offer
When offers arrive, your agent helps you evaluate them. The highest offer isn’t always the best – consider whether buyers are in a chain, have their mortgage approved, and can move quickly.
Step 6: Conveyancing Process
Once you accept an offer, instruct your solicitor promptly. They’ll handle all legal aspects while your buyer arranges surveys and finalizes their mortgage.
Stay responsive to your solicitor’s requests for information. Delays from either side extend the process and risk the sale falling through.
Step 7: Exchange and Completion
At exchange of contracts, both parties are legally committed to the transaction. Completion typically occurs 1-2 weeks later when you hand over keys and receive payment.
London’s Trusted Property Experts. Exceptional Sales And Award-Winning Service.
If you’re ready to sell your home, and you want to sell your property for the best possible price, then working with specialist property experts will make all the difference.
Ernest-Brooks International has developed a reputation in London for our work with property owners, and most recently we have been awarded “Best International Property Consultancy 2025” at the Build Real Estate & Property Awards for our continued success in securing sellers at higher than average sale prices.
We take care of everything – from accurate property valuations, strategic pricing, professional marketing and expert negotiation. We use a transparent approach so that you will always know what it costs to sell a house with Ernest-Brooks International, with no hidden fees or surprises.Â
Contact Ernest-Brooks International today and find out how we can help you sell your home for the best possible price.
