Last updated
What is the best time to move your home?
One of the most important things to consider when moving your home is when is the best time to move.
Time of the Day
8 am - 10 am is the most popular time to move during the day because a move will usually take at least 2 hours, giving the customers the rest of the day to unpack their items. Professional removal companies also prefer an earlier starting time as they would be able to finish work and get back home in time towards the evening.
Day of the Week
Friday is the most popular day for house moving in the UK as it gives the customers a weekend to unpack their items in the new home. Another reason is when people buy a home in the chain, and they are often required to move on a Friday.
Sunday, however, is the cheapest day to move as the demand for a Sunday move is usually lower because customers have to return to work the next day.
Month of the Year
August is the most popular month for a house move as many homeowners would like to move during the summer holidays and give their children a chance to settle in before the start of a new academic year in September.
January & February is statistically the cheapest time to move as the demand is lowest. This is because these two months are usually the coldest in the UK.
Theoretical prices
The most expensive day to move is a Friday in August. This is where the demand is at its peak, and there are removal companies that can fill up their schedule quickly.
The Cheapest day to move is a Sunday in January or February. This is where the demand is at its lowest in the UK, and you will have an opportunity to get the cheapest possible quotes from removal quoting services like VanHelper.
The time of the move does not affect a booking job that much. However, most removal companies and customers will plan a move earlier in the morning to make the most use of the day.
What does VanHelper say?
Avoid moving on a Friday if possible. There are many reasons for this.
- It is more expensive for your removals. Typically you can save around 10% to 20% on the cost of your removal if you choose a day that is not Friday.
- It is the end of the work week, which means that if anything goes wrong with your money transfer or solicitors, you might be homeless until the next Monday.
- It is hard to find a tradesperson on a Friday if you need something fixed. For example, if a boiler has broken down, you may risk waiting until Monday before getting someone to fix the issue or paying a premium for an emergency call-out.
What is the best day to move in VanHelper’s opinion?
Thursday is the best day for a house move as it is closest to the weekend, and it gives all parties a chance to arrange for any outstanding work and complete the work on a Friday. Moving on a Thursday saves you around 10% to 20% of the moving as you can avoid the Friday rush.
It is also easier for you to ask for a Friday day off from your employer and use that as a chance for a three-day weekend to unpack your items.
What if I have to move on a Friday?
If you have to move on a Friday, then here are a few things you should be aware of:
- Be prepared to pay a premium for your removals quote.
- Be prepared to book well in advance as the capacity for this day is limited, but the demand is high.
TLDR
Most movers will start a move at around 8–10 am. Friday is the busiest, Sunday is the least active, August is the busiest, and January / February is the least busy. Book when it is least busy to save money. Book through VanHelper to get the best deals for your house move.
