TrueHomeCosts is a UK home-buying cost information site. It brings the main upfront buying costs into one place so buyers can build a more realistic budget before relying on a deposit-only target.
The site is for first-time buyers, home movers, additional-property buyers and anyone comparing how costs can change across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Why this site exists
A buyer can have the deposit ready and still be short of the cash needed for tax, legal work, searches, surveys, lender fees, removals, insurance and setup. TrueHomeCosts puts those lines in one calculation and explains which ones change with the nation, buyer or property.
How our cost estimates work
The calculator combines official-rate items with planning estimates. Property tax rules and some registration fees use published sources where available. Variable costs, such as conveyancing, searches, surveys, mortgage fees, removals, insurance and furnishing, are shown as indicative planning ranges.
The result is not a quote. It is a way to test whether a purchase budget has enough room for the costs that usually sit around the deposit. See the full explanation of how estimates are built.
Editorial, calculation and correction process
Official tax and registration figures are stored separately from variable assumptions and linked to the relevant authority. Variable costs record their source or editorial reasoning, scope, check date and limitations on the methodology page.
Price examples call the same production calculation functions as the main calculator rather than maintaining copied totals. Automated tests cover tax logic, total scopes, central assumptions, prefilled scenarios, internal links and protected worked examples before a production build.
AI tools may assist drafting, research organisation or code changes. AI output is not treated as a source: factual claims must remain traceable to the linked material and calculation changes must pass the same tests. TrueHomeCosts does not claim professional or regulated review where none occurred.
Review dates change only after substantive work. If a figure, source or calculation appears wrong, email hello@truehomecosts.co.uk or use the corrections page.
Useful next pages
Start with the main calculator to estimate your total cash requirement, then use the stamp duty guide and methodology page to understand how the numbers are built .
Disclaimer
TrueHomeCosts provides general UK home-buying cost information for planning purposes only. It is not financial, mortgage, tax or legal advice. Costs can change, and buyers should confirm figures with official sources and qualified professionals before making decisions.