How Much Are Estate Agents Fees In The UK?

Published: 24/01/2025 By Cavender Estate Agent

The cost of hiring an estate agent to sell your property can swing dramatically, and knowing the specifics will empower you to make a well-informed decision. These fees, always paid by the seller, cover a wide variety of services, including property valuation, strategic listing, arranging tours, haggling with potential buyers, and overseeing the process until the sale is fully wrapped up.

Most of the time, charges are calculated as a percentage of the final sale price, though some agencies offer flat-fee alternatives. This guide unpacks every layer of estate agent fees—their structures, the services they include, and actionable ways to make sure you get your money’s worth.

What Exactly Are Estate Agent Fees, and Why Do They Matter?

Estate agent fees are the costs property owners pay to professionals who manage the sale of a home. Acting as the middle ground between sellers and buyers, estate agents streamline the entire journey, from valuing the property to sealing the deal and facilitating the legal nitty-gritty.

These fees are pivotal because they directly influence how much a seller nets from the transaction and can, at times, impact a buyer’s timeline. Charges fluctuate based on the agent’s methodology, service level, and your property’s value or postcode.

Traditionally, agents favour a commission model where their fees align with the sale price—an arrangement that incentivises better performance. Alternatively, fixed-fee options, particularly popular among online agents, offer sellers a predetermined cost regardless of the sale outcome. Picking the right fee structure is essential to ensure you strike the perfect balance between cost and quality.

So, How Much Do Estate Agents Charge?

Fees vary widely based on your property type, location, and whether you choose a high street agent or a digital alternative. The most common ranges are as follows:

Sole Agency Fees: Typically hover between 0.9% and 2.0% of the final property price.
Multi-Agency Fees: Usually land between 2.5% and 3.6% due to the added competition.
Online Fixed Fees: Flat rates starting at £300 and capping around £1,500, depending on the service tier.

For illustration:

  1. If a home sells for £300,000 and the agent charges 1.42%, the fee comes to £4,260.
  2. Under a multi-agency deal with a 3% fee, the seller would owe £9,000.

Always confirm if VAT is part of the quoted fee. The current VAT rate in the UK stands at 20%, but some agents display fees excluding VAT, which can throw up an unwelcome surprise.

What’s Included in Estate Agent Fees?

The specifics of what’s included in estate agent fees can swing wildly from one agency to another. A full-service agency, such as Cavender Estate Agent, bundles a comprehensive range of features to ensure maximum exposure and minimal hassle throughout the selling process. Below is a structured comparison of what you should expect:

Service

Details

Professional Valuation

Accurate appraisals using real-time data, market trends, and recent sales to determine listing price.

Pricing Strategy

Tailored advice based on local expertise to hit the sweet spot for achieving strong buyer interest.

High-Quality Photography

Expertly shot, crystal-clear images designed to make the property stand out in a crowded market.

Detailed Floor Plans

Precision layouts to help buyers visualise dimensions, flow, and overall space potential.

Listings on Key Platforms

Promotion on platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket for maximum reach.

Signage and Offline Marketing

Attention-grabbing “For Sale” boards and targeted offline materials to generate local interest.

Property Tours

Seamless scheduling and hosting of property viewings, including tailored walkthroughs for buyers.

Buyer Engagement

Agents answer questions, clarify features, and keep buyers excited and invested during viewings.

Offer Negotiation

Skilled negotiations to extract the highest possible offers while managing seller and buyer interests.

Sales Progression

Coordination with solicitors, lenders, and surveyors to clear hurdles and ensure chain continuity.

Troubleshooting Delays

Proactive problem-solving to resolve issues that arise during sales progression, reducing setbacks.


Choosing a full-service agent guarantees you get the most out of the fee, making the process smoother, faster, and far less stressful.

Fixed Fees vs Percentage Commissions: Which Makes More Sense?

Estate agents generally charge one of two ways: percentage-based commission or a fixed fee. Your choice will hinge on property value, service expectations, and budget.

Percentage-Based Commission

  • Fees align with the final sale price, so agents are naturally motivated to secure the highest offer.
  • Payment is made only after completion, tying their success to yours.
  • This model is most prevalent among high street agencies.

Fixed Fees

  • A single, predetermined cost, unaffected by the property’s eventual sale price.
  • Popular with online estate agents, though payment is often upfront, whether the home sells or not.
  • Can be budget-friendly for lower-value properties but may lack personalised service.

Example:

  • A property sold for £300,000 with a 1.2% commission results in a fee of £3,600.
  • A flat fee of £1,000 saves money upfront but may compromise the quality of service.

How Much Commission Do Estate Agents Earn?

Commission rates determine how much an estate agent makes per sale. For clarity:
  • At a 1.5% commission, a sale of £300,000 earns the agent £4,500.
  • With a 3% rate, their earnings double to £9,000.
Because commissions are tied to the sale price, agents are motivated to push for stronger offers—benefitting sellers in the long run.

Hidden Fees: What to Watch For

Some agencies may include additional charges that aren’t always upfront. Key pitfalls to avoid include:

  1. VAT Exclusion: Ensure the fee includes the standard 20% VAT.
  2. Withdrawal Penalties: Avoid contracts imposing fees if you withdraw the property from the market.
  3. Marketing Extras: Check if premium portal listings or enhanced adverts incur extra costs.
  4. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): Legally required for marketing, with prices ranging from £60 to £120.
At Cavender Estate Agent, all our agents' fees and charges are transparent, with no hidden surprises. If you are in the early stage process of selling your home, call us today on 01483 457728.