Timing it right: the best days and months to move home

They say life’s all about being in the right place at the right time. But when, exactly, is the right time to move to a new place?

Although you might have a deadline if you’re moving for work or family reasons, most of us have the freedom to choose when we move home.

There’s quite a lot to ponder before you plump for a date. Moving in different seasons can be challenging for different reasons. And it’s the same with different days of the week.

So, let’s explore the pros and cons of moving at different times. Will you warm to a summer move? And is it true that people don’t like Mondays?

Here’s what removals experts like our partner, AnyVan, have to say.

Moving in spring 

The housing market traditionally springs into life in March. And if you’re lucky enough to find a home you love quickly, you might find yourself moving in spring too. So, what’s it like?

Spring is generally a good time to move. There’s more daylight after the depths of winter, temperatures pick up, and your move is less likely to get iced by snow.

Spring also has bank holidays you can take advantage of – there’s Easter and then two in May. This means you’ll get an extra day to unpack and settle in before you’re back at work.

You might even have time to organise a house-warming party before you’re back at the grindstone.

Moving in summer

Summer is usually the most popular time to move home in the UK. In fact, there are often more moves in August than any other single month.

Although a lot of summer moves are usually agreed back in spring (when a lot of sellers go to market), there are plenty of practical reasons to choose summer too.

Firstly, the days are long and the weather’s at its best. It’s better to arrive at your new pad in bright sunshine rather than damp and darkness. 

A summer move can also be ideal if you’ve got kids. You don’t have to think about the school run or drop off and pick up times.

What’s more, the long summer holidays give little ‘uns time to get used to new surroundings before they start the school year.

There’s one little drawback though: summer’s popularity means you’ll need to book your removals early. You might have to pay a bit more than other times of the year as well.

Moving in autumn

Want to move in decent weather but don’t want to pay peak rates? Autumn could be for you. It’s why the fall, just like spring, is a popular time to move.

September and October should still offer decent amounts of daylight and, if you’re lucky enough, some sunshine.

Although there’s usually some rain around too – be careful carrying boxes on slippery pavements – at least the snow and ice won’t arrive for a while yet.

Autumn’s also a lovely time to explore your new area. So, enjoy the leaves and some seasonal strolls around the neighbourhood. Pop in for a caramel latte at your new favourite coffee shop while you’re at it.

Moving in winter

Winter is usually the trickiest time to move. The nights draw in and there’s a higher chance of bad weather delays. Blizzards are snow joke when you’re driving a removals van. 

Moving is especially hard at Christmas. You’ll need to organise around office parties and school nativities. Removals companies could have reduced availability too. 

Having said that, moving in winter could be a blessing. That’s because it’s the least popular time to move. And fewer people fighting over removals slots means you could save yourself some money. 

The bottom line? Don’t automatically rule winter out. It could be a winner, especially if it’s a small move and you’re not travelling far. 

Moving on weekdays

Once you’ve chosen a season, it’s time to pick a day of the week. And you might be surprised to know that people love, rather than loath, Mondays. It’s one of the most popular days to move.

The middle of the week is usually quieter, with Wednesdays the calmest and potentially the cheapest. But removals companies get busy again as the weekend nears.

Fridays are popular for good reason. You’ll have the whole weekend to settle in, which means you’ll minimise your time off work. 

It’s easy to forget though, especially if you’re a first time buyer, that the bank deadline for transferring big sums of money on the same day is often 3pm. So, try to complete on Friday morning. Leave it any later and you might not be able to move until the Monday if there’s a delay.

There’s another potential pitfall too. If there’s a problem at your new pad, and you need a tradesman over the weekend, it might be harder to track one down. 

Moving at weekends

Saturdays are a bit like Fridays - they’re really popular. And it might be tough to book your preferred removals date. 

As for the cost, it depends on the company and how much you’re prepared to pay. But don’t be surprised if you’re asked to pay more.

Sundays, on the other hand, are often the cheapest and quietest day to move home. But not all removal companies work on this day.

So, don’t assume it’ll be as easy as Sunday morning to book a slot. The popularity of different days can vary depending on where you live and the size of your move.