Almost every homebuyer in the UK now experiences unexpected costs when moving home, according to new research published today by PEXA, the world-leading, digital property completions business. The research shows that uncertainty - not cost or time taken - is becoming the defining challenge of the home moving experience.
The research, which included a survey of more than 1,000 UK homebuyers who had moved home in the last 12 months, revealed that almost all (95%) of them had experienced unexpected costs during their move, up from 62% in 2025. Just under two thirds (64%) of this group also described those costs as significant, and nearly half (47%) believed these costs could have been avoided altogether.
At the same time, there is also uncertainty around the time to transact. 83% of consumers surveyed said the home moving process was stressful, highlighting the impact of uncertainty and poor visibility throughout the process.
The research highlighted a growing disconnect between how long consumers believe transactions should take, and how long they actually take in practice. Respondents believed the current process should take approximately four months from offer acceptance to moving in, while wider market data indicates that the complete home moving journey often takes seven to eight months. These delays are widely acknowledged to be caused byfragmented processes, repeated checks and disconnected organisations – issues that have become structural in the UK process.
Despite the common experience of unexpected costs, most respondents felt that they were clear on professional service fees.
- 85% felt conveyancer fees were transparent
- 79% said the same about estate agent fees
- Over two thirds (69%) said mortgage broker fees were transparent
This contradiction suggests the issue isn’t charges being hidden, but instead the unclear process expectations and the way costs emerge incrementally throughout the transaction journey.
The findings come shortly after the Government published its Home Buying and Selling Reform Roadmap, as policymakers, regulators and industry increasingly align behind reforms designed to make property transactions more transparent, more connected and more certain.
Krystle Kocik, UK Co-CEO of PEXA, said:
"Buying a home should be exciting, yet too many people are left dealing with unexpected costs and a lack of visibility over what's happening and when. Our research suggests that improving certainty (not just speed) should be the defining objective of the next generation of UK property transactions, and will benefit estate agents, mortgage brokers, lenders, and conveyancers.
“Achieving this certainty depends not only on better information, but on ensuring trusted property data, verified identities, the secure movement of funds and the transfer of legal ownership are connected throughout the transaction. As government and industry work together to modernise the process, we see a significant opportunity to remove surprises and give consumers more confidence in what is likely the biggest financial commitment of their lives.”
Alison Verlander, Director, Mortgages at UK Finance, said:
"This report reinforces what our mortgage lender members are already telling us: uncertainty - not speed - is the real barrier to confidence, and better upfront information, reusable verified data and clearer visibility across the transaction are what will shift that. UK Finance is working with government, regulators and industry to ensure this momentum translates into a genuinely more connected homebuying experience, and this report is a helpful contribution to the discussion."
Stephen Ward, Director of Strategy and External Relations at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, said:
“Conveyancers are central to helping people navigate one of life's most important decisions, ensuring that the property they are buying is right for them and that there are no hidden problems. This research shows consumers continue to value professional expertise, while also expecting clearer communication, greater transparency and a more predictable experience. A modern conveyancing profession will combine legal expertise with efficient digital processes to deliver better outcomes for consumers.”
Maria Harris, Chair of the Open Property Data Association, said:
“This research reinforces that consumers are ready for a property market built around trusted, shareable data rather than repeated requests for the same information. As Smart Data, digital identity, and trust frameworks become more widely adopted, buyers will benefit from greater certainty, fewer surprises and increased confidence throughout the home moving journey.”
Leon Ifayemi, Director of Coalitions and Research at the Centre for Finance, Innovation & Technology (CFIT), said:
“Consumers are asking for a home buying process that is more connected, transparent and trustworthy. Government, regulators and industry are working together to enable trusted information to move safely between organisations, reducing friction while improving consumer outcomes. Success will be measured not simply by how digital the process becomes, but by how much certainty, confidence and efficiency it delivers for everyone involved.”
The report can be downloaded here.
