How To Choose Your Moving Date
Once your offer on a house has been accepted and you've received your property survey results, it's important to select your moving date as soon as possible. Start by comparing moving companies and securing a removal date to kick off the moving process. Next, you should compare conveyancing solicitors, begin packing, and request removal quotes from local removal companies to ensure a smooth transition.
As always, Omni Removals are here to provide expert advice on choosing your move date. Whether you're buying or renting, we’ve highlighted essential tips and key considerations to help you decide the best time to move out.
Popular Moving Dates Across the UK
After analyzing over 95,000 house removals in 2021, we've found that summer is the most popular time of year to move house in the UK. This is a common question among movers across the country.
The summer months are ideal for moving due to the longer days and warmer weather, which create perfect moving conditions. However, it's crucial to compare removal quotes as early as possible, as this season is often highly competitive, making it more challenging to choose an ideal moving date.
We’ve also examined removal trends in major UK cities to determine the best times to move in specific locations. Interestingly, in cities like London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff, the preferred time to move is in August. It seems much of the UK agrees that summer offers plenty of free time to complete the moving process. With the school holidays reducing family disruptions, it’s no wonder why this is the most popular time of year to relocate.
For those wondering how to prepare for a house move, our team has discovered that the most popular day to move across the UK is Friday. This makes sense, as the weekend provides ample free time to unpack and settle into your new home without interfering with your work schedule.
If you’re planning to move on a Friday, the average cost is around £937.19. However, if you're looking to save money, Sunday is actually the cheapest day to move. Moving on a Sunday reduces the average cost to £717.13, making it a great option for those looking to stretch their budget. Keep in mind, though, that many estate agents and conveyancer offices are closed on Sundays, which could delay the moving process.
Omni Removals User Data 2021
When looking at specific regions, the data reveals that Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, and Greater London all agree that Friday is the best day to move house. However, there are some exceptions—Central London movers tend to prefer Saturday as their moving day, while Northern Ireland favors Wednesdays for their move.
Although midweek moves aren't as common, Wednesday stands out as the cheapest day to move within the workweek, with an average cost of £770.03. The lower cost, along with part-time workers potentially using midweek breaks, could explain why Wednesday is a popular choice for moving.
From the data gathered, it’s clear that weekends are the preferred time for house moves. Whether it’s Friday or Saturday, having the extra free time to pack, unpack, and settle into your new home makes the transition smoother without conflicting with your work schedule.
When Do You Get a Moving Date When Buying a House?
The key factor in setting your moving date is the completion day. To secure the keys to your new property and start the moving process, the completion day must occur, signaling the near end of the conveyancing process.
For this to happen, both you and the seller must be close to exchanging contracts and ready to complete the transaction. Once the contracts are exchanged between conveyancers, you can begin selecting your moving date and start comparing removal companies to confirm a day.
While it’s possible to exchange contracts and complete the transaction on the same day, the process can take anywhere from 7 to 28 days after the exchange to fully complete. It’s also common for buyers to receive the keys sometime after midday on the completion date. If you're fortunate enough to get them immediately, you can begin the move as soon as possible.
Choosing a Moving Date as a Buyer
When buying a property or moving out of a property you own, choosing and securing a moving date can be more challenging. This is especially true if you’re part of a chain of movers, where the availability of other properties dictates when you can physically move.
In these situations, much of the timing will depend on the agreement with the current homeowner. For instance, they may not have found a new home yet, meaning they won’t agree to move out until they do. This can result in a lengthy wait before you can finalize your moving date. Additionally, if the current homeowner faces any issues with their new home or encounters unexpected challenges, this could further delay the process.
Once the current owner of your new home decides they can move out, they will likely provide a date on which they will vacate the property. It’s best to plan your move as soon as possible after this date, but there’s usually no issue in delaying it if necessary. Of course, this depends on the agreement with the buyer of your current property.
Choosing a Moving Date as a Renter
Renting a house can make it easier to choose a moving date. To start, it’s important to carefully review your rental agreement several times to fully understand its terms. This will help you determine any notice period you need to provide before moving out and ensure you’re aware of any requirements for receiving your full deposit back.
For example, your rental agreement might specify that the house or flat needs to be professionally cleaned, with no stains, marks, or scuffs on the flooring. It may also require that any cosmetic alterations, like paint touch-ups or hooks for pictures, be returned to their original condition.
Once you’ve reviewed the agreement and understood your responsibilities and any timelines related to moving out or into your new property, you’ll be in a better position to select a move date that aligns with your commitments.
Tips for Choosing Your Moving House Date
#1 Prioritise
Make sure to prioritize what’s best for you and your family’s personal needs when choosing a moving date. Whether you're moving with children or pets, it’s essential to focus on what requires the most attention and when. For instance, if moving during the school holidays makes the transition easier for your children, consider scheduling your move around those dates. Taking family needs into account will help ensure a smoother and less stressful moving experience.
2 Flexibility is Key
It’s important to remember that not everything pans out the way you think it will. Plans change, dates get cancelled, you have to go with the flow and try to work with what you have.
Stay Organised
Plan ahead and organise your duties into a checklist so that you don’t forget any important tasks. Give yourself the time you need to complete everything by your chosen moving date.
Check Availability
If you’re moving with the help of a removal company or family and friends, ask them about available dates beforehand to give you a variety
Consider Time of Day
It’s usually better to move as early in the day as possible. If you move in the morning, you have the entire day to unpack and settle into your new home. The time of day can also affect traffic and the length of the journey, as well as how many breaks you allow yourself. The longer you have to complete the job, the more patient and considerate you can be.
Consider Storage Solutions
You may have to arrange additional services with your removals company that could affect the timeline of the move. One possible service may be furniture storage during your house move.
If you realise you have an excess amount of furniture that needs moving, you may want to rent a storage unit before your moving day to make the process easier and more efficient. Don't forget to factor this into your timeline to ensure the additional items are packed up and stored before your moving date.
Moving House and Starting a New Job
Starting a new job can impact your house move in two ways:
The start date may dictate your moving date
You may need time to move and prepare the house before starting the new job
Firstly, if you're moving a long distance, the start date of your new job and the end date of your current one may dictate exactly when you can move. For example, if you’re ready to move immediately but your current work contract doesn’t end for another month, you'll either need to wait to move or manage with a long commute in the interim.
Additionally, it's important to plan some time off to move out and settle into your new home. If your new employer is understanding and flexible, they may offer a few days off to help with the moving process. However, in many cases, this isn’t feasible, so it’s a good idea to communicate with your employer about your moving plans and request leave—whether paid or unpaid—to ensure you have time to get everything done. Although not all companies specialize in student removals, most offer small or part-load removals, which can serve the same purpose. Many companies also provide free student moving quotes.
Moving House and Moving Schools
Moving house with children can make choosing a moving date even more challenging. The timing often depends on where the child is in their educational journey. For example, if they’re at a crucial point, like during exams, it’s unlikely that the school will let them leave until the exams are over or until there’s a natural break or holiday.
In other cases, moving during term time can be easier, as long as it doesn’t disrupt their education too much. However, it’s important to do your research to ensure they can secure a new school place and that the transition will be as smooth as possible.
It’s also worth considering the emotional impact of moving on children in education. They may have formed friendships and become comfortable in their school environment. Pulling them out unexpectedly or without sufficient time to adjust can be upsetting for them.
For this reason, it’s often best to plan a move during a natural school break, which allows for a more gradual and less disruptive departure. It also helps ease the transition to a new school, as many syllabuses are gently reintroduced after a break.
Save Money on Your House Removals
Once you've chosen the best day to move house, make sure to use Omni Removals to find the best deal for your house removals. We’ll connect you with up to 6 verified and trusted removal companies in your area, making it easier to find the right help for your move.
