Money Guides
⏱ 4 min read
📅 Updated Apr 2026
Costs of Buying a House UK 2026: Full Breakdown
What are all the costs of buying a house in the UK?Buying a house involves significantly more cost than just the deposit and mortgage. On top of the deposit, buyers must budget for stamp duty, solicitor fees, survey costs, mortgage arrangement fees, and removal costs. The total additional costs on a typical purchase range from £5,000 to £25,000 or more depending on the property price and buyer circumstances. Rule of thumb: budget 3 to 5% of the purchase price for buying costs (excluding the deposit). On a £300,000 purchase, that is £9,000 to £15,000 in additional fees. Full cost breakdown: £300,000 house purchase (standard buyer)| Cost | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|
| Deposit (10%) | £30,000 | Paid at exchange of contracts | | Stamp Duty Land Tax | £5,000 | On £300,000 for a standard buyer (0% on first £125k, 2% on £125-250k, 5% on £250-300k) | | Solicitor/conveyancer fees | £1,200 to £1,800 | Including disbursements (searches, Land Registry, etc.) | | Survey — homebuyer report | £400 to £800 | Recommended for most properties | | Survey — full structural survey | £600 to £1,500 | Older, unusual, or higher-value properties | | Mortgage arrangement fee | £0 to £1,999 | Some products are fee-free; others charge up to £1,999 | | Mortgage broker fee | £0 to £500 | Free brokers available; specialist cases may charge | | Buildings insurance (first year) | £150 to £300 | Must be in place from exchange | | Removal costs | £300 to £1,500 | Depends on distance and volume | | CHAPS bank transfer fee | £25 to £50 | For completion funds transfer | | Total additional costs | £8,000 to £14,000+ | Excluding deposit; excluding furniture/renovation |
Stamp Duty for first-time buyers in 2026First-time buyers pay no stamp duty on purchases up to £300,000. On purchases between £300,001 and £500,000, first-time buyers pay 5% on the portion above £300,000. On purchases over £500,000, standard rates apply with no first-time buyer relief. | Purchase price | Standard buyer SDLT | First-time buyer SDLT | Saving |
|---|
| £200,000 | £1,500 | £0 | £1,500 | | £300,000 | £5,000 | £0 | £5,000 | | £400,000 | £10,000 | £5,000 | £5,000 | | £500,000 | £15,000 | £10,000 | £5,000 |
Survey costs: which level do you need?| Survey type | Cost | What it covers |
|---|
| Mortgage valuation | £0 to £300 (often included) | Lender check only — does not protect you | | RICS HomeBuyer Report | £400 to £800 | Condition survey; flags issues; most properties | | RICS Building Survey (Level 3) | £600 to £1,500 | Full structural survey; older or unusual properties |
Costs that vary by situation- Leasehold purchase — additional legal work adds £200 to £500; check service charge and ground rent history
- New build — no survey needed but snagging inspection recommended (£300 to £600)
- Shared ownership — additional legal complexity; add £200 to £400 to solicitor costs
- Help to Buy or LISA — additional admin fees may apply
- Renovation — budget separately; not a buying cost but often a surprise
Verdict Budget £8,000 to £12,000 beyond your deposit for a typical £300k purchase Stamp duty is the biggest variable — first-time buyers save up to £5,000 versus standard buyers. Survey and solicitor fees are non-negotiable essentials. Get quotes for all three (mortgage broker, solicitor, surveyor) before you make an offer so you know your total outlay. Frequently asked questionsHow much does it cost to buy a house in the UK in total? On a £300,000 purchase with a 10% deposit, total outlay including deposit is approximately £38,000 to £44,000 — comprising the £30,000 deposit plus £8,000 to £14,000 in stamp duty, solicitor fees, survey, and other costs. Can buying costs be added to my mortgage? No — most lenders do not allow stamp duty or solicitor fees to be added to a residential mortgage. Some allow arrangement fees to be added, which increases your loan but avoids the upfront cash requirement. Are there any grants to help with buying costs? The Lifetime ISA government bonus (up to £1,000/year) can be used toward the deposit. Some local authority first-time buyer schemes offer grants or shared equity products. First-time buyer stamp duty relief saves up to £5,000. Do I have to pay for a survey? A survey is not legally required but is strongly recommended. A mortgage valuation is done for the lender — it does not protect you. A HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey identifies issues that could cost significantly more to fix than the survey costs. |
Part of our complete guide: UK Mortgage Rates April 2026 - Current Rates & Guide → Find a whole-of-market mortgage broker →
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Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
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