Estate agent fees continue to make up the largest moving costs due to ever-increasing house prices rather than firms hiking their commissions.

Research by removals comparison website reallymoving.com found the cost of moving home has hit record levels of £7,356.

The researchers claim 44% of the total cost is made up of estate agent fees at 1.2%, representing £3,254 based on an average property price of £225,956.

Reallymoving.com said that while fees may have fallen in terms of percentages, the increase in house prices is keeping the actual amounts high.

The second biggest moving cost is Stamp Duty at £2,019 on average.

The research also looked at how moving costs differ to a decade ago, finding they have increased 10% since 2007.

Estate agent fees have only increased by 4% over the same period based on average prices in 2007 and 2017.

Rob Houghton, chief executive of Reallymoving.com, said: “Increases in fees for services and, in particular, for Stamp Duty has seen total cost of moving rise to the point where a single move costs nearly a third of the median annual salary.

“While there is no simple fix, there are a number of measures that consumers can take to manage the condition. Buyers can reduce the cost by shopping around, using well-priced and well-reviewed conveyancers, surveyors, removers and estate agents.”