Bills can escalate when you move and it pays to search for the best deals.

As anyone who has ever bought a property knows, there is more to pay than just the asking price. From solicitors to surveyors to stamp duty, the bills quickly mount up.

Latest figures show the average cost of moving in the UK is £8,248 and significantly more in the south-east at £16,187, according to Lloyds Bank.

But you can cut some costs by shopping around and the internet is the best place to look, says Winchester-based JJ Heath Caldwell, founder of www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk, a price comparison website for professional property services.

“The internet has changed everything. It allows buyers and sellers to contact companies directly and compare prices to get the best deal in their local area. It cuts costs and speeds up the process.”

Mr Heath-Caldwell reckons people could save hundreds if not thousands of pounds if they do their homework.

Solicitors.

Whether you are a buyer or seller, you will need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to oversee the legal side but fees vary, so it pays to shop around.

Solicitors don’t need to be local as they can handle the process by phone, email and post. Many of the cheapest are online companies which quote as little as £200. By comparison, local solicitors charge £400 to £1,000. The upside of on an online conveyancer is the low-cost, downsides include lack of personal contact. Salisbury estate agent David McKillop, partner at McKillop & Gregory in Castle Street, said 50 per cent of sales fell through with online centres “because there is no personal involvement or responsibility. The client is just a computer number.”

He said: “For the sake of a few hundred pounds, my advice is never to go near them.”

On top of solicitor’s fees, you will also need to pay for searches. These are checks to identify potential problems, for example flooding in the local area. You should ask for a breakdown of costs.

Surveyors Once you have got your offer accepted, it is usually advisable to get a survey.

The best way to cut the cost is to get quotes from at least three surveyors. Price comparison websites are often the quickest and easiest way to shop around.

A homebuyer’s report costs about £200 to £400 and a full building survey about £350 to £750, according to localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk. If the property is newly-built, a basic homebuyer survey may suffice.

However the more expensive, full building survey is recommended for older properties and those in need of renovation. If it does find significant issues, you can use these to drive down the asking price.

Energy Performance Certificates and Floor Plans If you are a seller, you are legally required to get an energy performance certificate (EPC) to show the buyer. It is generally cheaper to go directly to an EPC provider at £40 to £60 rather than estate agent. To find the best deals, search online and visit price comparison websites. When booking your EPC, it may be possible to get a floor plan done at the same time at little extra cost.