A survey says many people under-estimate the costs of moving with conveyancing and mortgage fees often higher than expected.

Some 54 per cent of those questioned in the Comparethemarket study found the process of moving home more expensive than they initially thought.

The survey found that in total moving costs can now add up to £9,500 – although it’s currently less thanks to the temporary stamp duty holiday.

Excluding SDLT, the deposit and estate agency fees, the top five biggest costs for homemovers were conveyancing fees, buying new furniture, mortgage fees, professional removals and decorating or improving the previous property before moving.

Forty two per cent of homeowners also stumble upon unexpected costs and charges when moving home, with the average amount spent totalling nearly £1,500.

Mortgage product fees, conveyancing charges and moving home supplies – materials and food covering the move – are the top three factors that homemovers had not fully accounted for.

To cover these surprise costs, over half had to dip into their own savings and an additional one quarter relied on a credit card.

Meanwhile the same survey has revealed the average distance moved by homemovers is over 20 kilometres..

But a fifth only move between one to five kilometres away from their old home, and another fifth move between six and 10 kilometres away.