What this page is based on
Trust and data notes
- ReviewedFigures and official sources were substantively reviewed on 19 July 2026. Numerical examples use calculator data version 2026.07.1.
- How to read the figuresOfficial charges and estimate-led costs are shown separately so buyers can see which parts of the total are fixed rules and which parts are planning ranges.
- When to double-checkFigures are guidance only. Buyers should check important numbers with their solicitor, lender or the relevant official authority before making financial decisions.
- Source styleThis page is mainly built from UK planning estimates rather than direct government fee tables.
At a glance
Key facts buyers should know first
Central example range
£300 to £1,450 at £300,000 using low-to-high assumptions
Average planning amount
£800
Classification
Market estimate or user-entered amount
User override
Replace the planning amount with a current quotation
Trust note
Official-rate items vs estimate-led items
TrueHomeCosts separates published rates from market-based assumptions so buyers can see which figures are official and which ones are planning estimates.
Official or published-reference items
- lender-published product fees for the chosen mortgage
Estimate-led items
- broker charges
- some valuation costs
- future ERC impact if plans change
How labels are used across the site
Official charge: based on published tax bands or fee scales.
Lender charge: fees tied to mortgage products, valuations or broker work.
Solicitor/conveyancing estimate: legal work and disbursement planning ranges.
Market estimate: surveys, moving, furnishing or other provider-led costs.
Optional cost: useful for planning, but not required on every purchase.
Situation-dependent cost: applies only to some properties or buyer types.
Plan the full picture
Use this guide with the right follow-up pages
Start with the homepage calculator to test your own numbers, then compare this topic with Hidden costs of buying a house in the UK, How much money do I need to buy a house in the UK?, First-time buyer costs in the UK and Insurance costs for home buyers in the UK.
What mortgage fees include
Arrangement, booking, broker and valuation-related charges are product-dependent. A buyer does not necessarily pay every possible charge, and mortgage fees are market estimates rather than official charges.
The table below shows mortgage fees by calculator assumption level for a £300,000 England example, with columns for Assumption level, Amount, and Classification.
| Assumption level | Amount | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Low | £300 | Market estimate |
| Average | £800 | Market estimate |
| High | £1,450 | Market estimate |
On smaller screens, scroll sideways to view every column clearly.
What can change the quotation
The lender, product, loan size, broker arrangement, valuation policy and whether a fee is added to the loan can all change the upfront cash line.
How to use a real quote
Enter the quotation in the calculator as a user-entered amount. Keep other categories separate so one quote does not overwrite unrelated costs.
Try this in the calculator
Run your own version of this scenario
Use the homepage calculator to change the property price, nation, buyer type and assumption level so you can compare the simple version of the budget with a more realistic one.
Open the calculatorHow this category fits total upfront cash
Deposit, property tax, core transaction costs, selected moving costs, insurance, furnishing and contingency.
Switch optional costs off when they do not apply, but do not silently fold them into another label.
Add mortgage costs to the bigger buying budget
The homepage calculator includes a mortgage-fee allowance so you can see the effect on your upfront cash target.
Go to the calculatorPopular buying-cost examples
See how the deposit and extra costs change at common UK property prices.
Reference points
Official UK guidance
This guide is informed by publicly available UK guidance from official and consumer-support sources where relevant.
Content notes
Reviewed and maintained by the TrueHomeCosts research team.
Our guides are built from official UK tax sources, public cost information and typical market price ranges. We separate fixed official charges from variable market estimates so buyers can see which figures are certain and which may change.
Last reviewed: 19 July 2026
Calculator data version: 2026.07.1
This content is for general guidance only and is not financial advice. For more detail, read how our estimates work or learn more about TrueHomeCosts.
FAQ
Questions buyers usually ask
Is every buyer required to pay mortgage fees?
No. Mortgage charges depend on the product and provider.
Is the planning range an official tariff?
No. It is a market estimate and should be replaced with a current quotation.
Can I enter my own amount?
Yes. The calculator supports a user-entered override for this category.
Related guides
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