When Is The Best Time Of Year To Move House?
Friday is the most popular day to move house in the UK, while Sunday is the cheapest day to move. Summer is the UK’s favourite time to relocate, with the majority of house moves taking place in August, according to new data from Omni Removals.
We’ve analyzed data from over 95,000 house removals over the past year, revealing that around 34% of Omni Removals UK users prefer to move on a Friday. Interestingly, Sunday is the least popular day for moving, with just over 2% of users choosing it. The UK generally prefers to move house during the Summer months, particularly in August.
Omni Removals delves into the UK's favourite moving days, as well as the cheapest and most expensive days to move, based on users seeking removal companies in cities like London, Bristol, Manchester, and other areas across the UK.
UK Moving Day Data at a Glance
Least Popular Day to Move House: Sunday
The Cheapest Day to Move House: Sunday
Most Expensive Day to Move House: Tuesday
Most Popular Month to Move House: August
Favourite Season to Move House: Summer
What is the Cheapest Day to Move House?
Sunday is the cheapest day to move house in the UK, with an average move costing £717.13, according to Omni Removals analysis of average quotes received from a sample of its users. While Sunday is the least popular day for house moves, with only 2.69% of movers choosing it, this could be why the rates are lower, as removal companies may offer better prices to attract movers.
If you're looking for the most affordable option, Sunday is a great choice. For a midweek move, Wednesday is the second cheapest day, with an average cost of £770.03—almost 20% cheaper than the weekly average.
On the other hand, Tuesday stands out as the most expensive day to move house. Despite being the second least popular day for moving, with fewer movers opting for it, the average cost for a Tuesday move is £1,110.36—44% more expensive than a Saturday move and 55% more than a Sunday move.
Is it Cheaper to Move on A Weekday?
According to our data, Sunday is the cheapest day to move house, followed by Wednesday and then Saturday. Tuesday, however, is the most expensive day to move. If you're choosing your moving date primarily to save money, Sunday is the best option for you. Be sure to book your removal company in advance and compare removal quotes to ensure you're getting the best possible deal on your moving costs.
To save even more, consider choosing one of the cheaper days like Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday, especially if you can take time off work. Our network of trusted and verified partners is always available to discuss your moving details and offer flexibility to help you plan a cost-effective and smooth move.
What is the Most Popular Day to Move House in the UK?
Friday is the most popular day of the week to move house.
Of the 95,000 UK movers who used Omni Removals last year, nearly 34% chose to move on a Friday. Moving on Friday is by far the top choice, followed by Saturday, with 17% of users opting for this day. Many movers who choose Saturday may still complete on Friday and move over the weekend.
The preference for moving on Friday or Saturday comes down to the weekend providing ample time to unpack and settle in. With the stress of surveying, estate agent fees, and other moving logistics, having enough time to properly manage the transition is essential. For many, choosing Friday aligns best with their work schedule, making it the ideal moving day.
Sunday is the least popular day to move, with only 2.69% of people choosing it. Since Sunday falls outside the typical working hours for conveyancing solicitors, estate agents, banks, and other services, it’s generally not recommended as a moving day.
Why Friday is the Best Day to Move House
The main reason so many people move house on a Friday is that it’s the gateway to the weekend. By booking Friday off work to move, you get a full three days to settle in and unpack without the rush. This extended time allows for a smoother transition and less stress during the moving process.
For those buying a home, moving on a Friday means less disruption to the housing chain. With the completion typically happening on Friday morning, followed by the weekend, you have ample time to move in and start getting settled right away. It’s a great way to manage the logistics of moving while ensuring the entire process is as efficient as possible.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when moving on a Friday:
Book your move well in advance, as Friday is a popular day and demand is high. This will keep house removal costs down too.
Make sure you complete in the morning, as the bank deadline for transferring money is usually 3pm.
If anything goes wrong with the chain and you miss the 3pm transfer deadline, you’ll have to wait until the next working day.
Arrange for your solicitor to perform all pre-completion work beforehand. This includes the signing of mortgage deeds and ordering mortgage monies. Any issues with funds will mean delays.
Factor in a heightened likelihood of delays from the likes of estate agents.
If anything goes wrong with utilities or if you need to contact your solicitor, it’s likely you’ll have to wait until Monday.
The Best Day to Move House in Your Region
After analyzing over 95,000 house moves arranged through Omni Removals in the last year, we’ve uncovered Britain’s favourite moving day in every region. Our data shows that Friday is by far the most popular day to move, reigning supreme across every region in Britain, except for Northern Ireland and Central London.
In Northern Ireland, Wednesday is the preferred day for moving, while in Central London, movers tend to opt for Saturday. Interestingly, both Wednesday and Saturday are among the cheapest days to move house. A Wednesday move costs an average of £770.03, while a Saturday move averages £774.47.
If you're looking to save money on your move, choosing a Wednesday or Saturday will cost you less than moving on the UK’s favourite day, Friday.
The Best Time of Year to Move House
Summer is the best time of year to move house in the UK, with August being the most popular month. After crunching the numbers, we found that while Summer is the favourite season to move across Britain, regional preferences do vary.
In the West Midlands and the North East, Autumn is the preferred season for moving. Meanwhile, movers in Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to choose Spring for their house moves, with May being a particularly popular month for those relocating to Scotland from England.
So, if you're planning to move to Scotland from England, May is the favoured month for many movers in that region.
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Across the UK, August is the overall favourite month to move, and it’s particularly popular in regions like Greater and Central London, the East of England, and the South East.
For Wales and the East Midlands, July is the preferred month to move. In contrast, October is favoured by movers in the West Midlands and the North East.
Interestingly, Yorkshire and the Humber region breaks the trend entirely, with the majority of movers opting for January. The same can be said for the North West, where January is also a popular moving month.
Meanwhile, movers in Northern Ireland tend to prefer April for their house moves.
Moving House in Spring
Spring is the second most popular season to move in the UK, as the weather begins to freshen up and the days get longer. Moves in Spring are often boosted by the season’s traditional appeal for selling houses. The good natural lighting, mild temperatures, and relatively predictable weather conditions make it an ideal time for relocating.
Additionally, Spring offers several bank holidays, which can be a great opportunity to take advantage of long weekends to unpack and settle into your new home. The combination of favorable conditions and the potential for time off work makes Spring a solid choice for many movers.
Moving House in Summer
Summer is the favourite season to move, and for good reason. Families, in particular, can make the most of the long Summer holidays to get their children settled into their new home. The bright, long days and predictable weather conditions also make Summer an ideal time for moving.
Additionally, many buyers who have been looking during the Spring months will likely be completing the buying process in Summer, making it a busy time for the housing market. As Summer is the most popular season to move, it’s essential to keep in mind that things can get hectic. If you have a specific moving date in mind, be sure to book your removals well in advance to ensure availability.
Moving House in Autumn
Autumn is the joint second most popular season to move house, largely due to September being a hugely popular month for relocations. As Summer fades, you’ll still enjoy dependable weather and longer days in September compared to the shorter days of later Autumn, making it a great time to move.
Since Summer is the peak season for removal companies, moving in Autumn can often come with more competitive rates. With fewer people moving during this time, you're more likely to find better deals on house removals.
If you're considering an Autumn move, why not get a house removal quote today for an accurate cost and to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal?
Moving House in Winter
Winter is the UK’s least favourite season for moving, largely due to the bleak weather, short, dark days, and the challenges that come with colder temperatures. The weather can make moving more difficult, with icy roads and extreme conditions adding extra risks to the process.
December and November are the least popular months to move house, as many people prefer to avoid moving during this time. Additionally, the holiday season brings Christmas parties, New Year's celebrations, and other festivities that can add to the stress and make it harder to stay organised.
If you do choose to move during Winter, it's essential to be extremely organised and plan around the holiday period to avoid unnecessary complications. However, if you're willing to brave the cold and organise ahead of time, you might find more availability and competitive rates from removal companies.
Why Should You Avoid Moving House On a Friday?
Choosing a midweek move or a Sunday move can help you save money, as removal companies may offer discounts during these less busy times. While removal companies typically don't charge extra for a Friday move, the demand is higher on this day, which could make midweek options more appealing.
For instance, Wednesday is one of the cheapest days to move, with our data showing that a Wednesday move costs £770.03 on average, over 20% cheaper than moving on a Friday. This is likely because only 10% of our users opt for a Wednesday move, so companies may reduce their rates to attract customers.
If you're looking to avoid a busy move and potentially save money, a weekday move is often your best option. You can also benefit from having immediate access to services and support during working hours if something goes wrong, such as needing tradesmen or utility assistance, without having to wait until Monday. Additionally, if you need urgent fixes in your new home, you’ll avoid the higher weekend rates for tradesmen.
While Saturday is a good option if you want to avoid taking time off work, keep in mind that you’ll need to arrange everything with your solicitor during the workweek if you're buying. Don’t forget to compare conveyancing solicitors to make sure you're getting the best deal for your moving process.
Can You Move On a Saturday?
Yes, moving house on a Saturday is absolutely possible, but there are a few things to consider. If any issues arise with your conveyancer or the bank on the day of the move, they won’t be able to be resolved until the following Monday or later due to weekend closures.
To avoid any delays or complications, it’s crucial to ensure that everything is sorted with your conveyancer during the workweek. This will help ensure that there are no last-minute hiccups that could affect your move on Saturday. Planning ahead and having all necessary paperwork and arrangements in place before the weekend will make your Saturday move smoother and stress-free.
Do Moving Companies Work on Sundays?
Yes, moving companies work on Sunday, although it is the least favourite day for UK movers to move house. Sunday remains the cheapest day to move house in the UK in 2019.
Does Time of Year Affect Removal Rates?
Off-peak times, like Spring or after the summer holidays, can often lead to cheaper removal costs. During these periods, demand is lower, and removal companies may offer better rates to attract business.
According to Omni Removals data, Tuesday, Thursday, and Monday were the most expensive days to move house in 2019, while Sunday remains the cheapest day, followed closely by Wednesday and Saturday. Friday is the most popular day to move, with an average cost of £937.19.
Ultimately, the best time to move depends on your personal circumstances. Spring and Summer are ideal for many, as they offer good weather, are convenient for prospective buyers, and generally feature better removal company rates, plus the flexibility to work around holidays.
For a complete breakdown of moving costs, make sure to check out Omni Removals' moving house calculator to get an accurate estimate tailored to your needs.
When is the Best Time to Sell Your House?
According to estate agent Portico London, spring is the best time to sell your house. The good weather means your garden will be in full bloom, which makes the property more appealing to potential buyers. Additionally, prospective buyers are more likely to be active during this time as the pleasant weather encourages house hunting.
The timing of your move will also be influenced by your estate agent and solicitor. It’s important to maintain open communication with them to ensure everything is in place for the exchange of contracts.
Generally, spring sees a higher number of buyers, which makes it an ideal time to start the selling process. As Mark Lawrinson, Regional Sales Director at Portico London states: “The key market for the property industry is spring, from March heading into summer. This is the best market to take advantage of as most people look to move before summer, so you have both available properties and active buyers.”
Autumn is also a popular time to sell, according to Martin & Co, as buyers return from their summer holidays and look to move before Christmas. However, no matter when you decide to sell, it's important to allow plenty of time.
Ideally, you’ll want to list your home as early as possible. It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months from starting the selling process to actually moving out. If you're aiming for a spring sale, listing your property in winter is a great idea. As Mike Shrubsall, Managing Director of Martin & Co, explains: “Enquiries for properties and web visits to property portals always reach an annual high around the Christmas period – people are off work, reflecting on a year passed and a year ahead – and so that interest becomes a reality into January and February.”
For more information on the best time to sell your house, check out our guide.
Choosing the Best Moving Day
Omni Removals can help you choose the perfect moving day for you needs, and save you up to 70% on your house removal costs in the process. Just enter a few quick details of your move including your preferred moving day, and get connected with up to 6 professional removal companies to find the best removal quote.
