What is the busiest time of year to move house in the UK?

Summer is the busiest, especially July and August, because families prefer to move during the school holidays. Late spring is close behind as property sales that started in the new year complete. Within any month, Fridays and the last few days of the month are the most in demand. Book a survey early if you are aiming for any of these dates.

What is the cheapest time of year to move house?

Removal prices are based mainly on how much you are moving, how far and the access at each property, so volume matters more than the calendar. That said, quieter periods such as autumn, winter and mid-week dates give you more choice and flexibility. The only reliable way to compare is to get a written quote for your actual move after a survey.

Is it a bad idea to move house in winter?

Not at all. Winter is often the easiest time to book the date you want, outside the Christmas period. The challenges are shorter days, rain and occasional ice, which good preparation handles: clear paths, working lights, heating on at the new home and extra time for travel. A professional crew protects floors and wraps furniture whatever the weather.

Is January a good time to move house?

Yes, for many people. Once the New Year bank holiday (Friday 1 January 2027) has passed, January is usually one of the quieter months for removers, so there is more choice of dates. Plan for short, cold days: start early, clear and grit paths, keep the heating on at the new home and pack a box of essentials. We move homes across Dorset all winter, with a free home visit in BH postcodes and DT11.

What happens if it rains on moving day?

Moves go ahead in rain. Crews wrap sofas, mattresses and soft furnishings, protect floors with heavy-duty sheeting and load as quickly and carefully as possible. You can help by packing clothes and books in sealed boxes rather than bags, keeping towels by the door and clearing a dry spot inside for boxes to land. Severe weather is discussed with you on the day.

Which day of the week is best for moving house?

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are usually the easiest days to book because completions cluster on Fridays. A mid-week move also means solicitors, banks and utility companies are open if anything needs sorting. Avoid bank holiday weekends where you can, as funds cannot be transferred and keys may be delayed until the next working day.

Should I move house during the school holidays?

It is the most popular choice for families, because children miss no lessons and can settle before the new term. The downside is demand: holiday weeks are the busiest for removers, estate agents and solicitors alike. If your children are staying at the same school, a term-time move can be calmer, with their routine carrying on while the house changes.

Can I move house on a bank holiday?

You can move belongings on a bank holiday, but completing a purchase is harder, because banks and most solicitors are closed and funds cannot be transferred. That can leave you with a loaded lorry and no keys. If your move depends on completion, choose a normal working day, ideally mid-week, and keep bank holidays for moves that do not need funds released.

How early should I book a summer move?

Start looking in spring. Summer weekends and dates around the end of the school term go first, so book a survey as soon as you have a likely completion month, even before exchange. The remover can then pencil in your date and firm it up when contracts are exchanged, rather than you searching at the last minute.

Can I move house between Christmas and New Year?

You can, but completing a purchase is limited to the working days. In 2026 the bank holidays are Friday 25 December and Monday 28 December, then Friday 1 January 2027, and banks and most solicitors are closed on those days. Tuesday 29 to Thursday 31 December are working days, though many offices run with fewer staff. Check with your solicitor before you fix a date, then book your remover.

What happens if snow or ice is forecast for moving day?

Keep an eye on the local forecast in the days before, and talk to your remover early so the plan can be adjusted. Clear and grit paths and the driveway at both homes if you can. If you are driving yourself, the Highway Code advises against travelling in ice or snow unless the journey is essential, and says to allow more time, clear all windows and lights and carry an emergency kit. Severe weather is discussed with you before the crew sets out.

Best Time of Year to Move House | 1st Choice Removals

The best time of year to move house in the UK

By Chris Vaughan · 28 September 2026

The best time of year to move house in the UK is usually a mid-week, mid-month date outside the summer holidays and the Christmas week, when removers, solicitors and banks are busiest or closed. Spring and summer bring long days but book up fastest, while autumn and winter usually give you more choice of dates. 1st Choice Removals moves homes in Dorset and across the UK all year round.

The short answer, season by season

In practice most people do not choose their moving date freely: it follows exchange and completion. But if you have some flexibility, each season has clear trade-offs.

Spring (March to May): mild weather and lighter evenings, with the property market picking up. Popular, so book early.
Summer (June to August): the busiest time, driven by school holidays. Long days, but heat and holiday traffic to plan around.
Autumn (September to November): steadier weather, more choice of dates, and time to settle before winter.
Winter (December to February): the quietest period and the most flexible for dates, with shorter days and weather to prepare for.

Moving in spring

Spring is when many sales progress after the quieter start to the year, so demand for removers climbs from March onwards. If you are aiming for late spring or early summer, get a survey booked as soon as you have a rough date.

Spring weather can change quickly, with bright mornings and heavy showers. A professional crew will wrap sofas and mattresses and protect floors, but it is worth packing electronics and books in sealed boxes rather than open bags.

The season is also a natural prompt to clear out before you pack. Our decluttering and downsizing guide shows how to shrink the load room by room.

Moving in summer

July and August are the peak months for home moves in the UK, largely because families want to move without disrupting school. Longer evenings help, giving you time to build beds and unpack the kitchen on the first night.

Book as early as you can, ideally before spring is out.
Start early in the day to avoid the hottest hours, and keep water to hand for everyone.
Move plants, candles and heat-sensitive items in your own car.
Around the Dorset coast, allow for busier roads on sunny weekends and during the holidays, particularly on routes towards the beaches.

If you have children, our guide to moving with children and pets covers planning around the school calendar.

Moving in autumn

Autumn is often overlooked, but it suits many households. Once schools return, demand eases, so there is usually more choice of dates and more room to plan.

The weather is generally cooler and steadier than in summer, which makes a long day of carrying easier on everyone. Moving before the clocks go back also gives you lighter evenings for unpacking.

Settling in before winter has its own benefits. You have time to check the heating, bleed the radiators and learn how the new boiler works before you really need it. See settling into your new home for a first-month checklist.

Autumn weather is not always kind, so plan for rain and falling leaves on paths and steps. Keep coats, umbrellas and a few old towels by the door, and pack soft furnishings in sealed boxes.

Moving in winter

Winter is the quietest time for removers, apart from the run-up to Christmas and New Year, when many people want to be in before the holidays. Outside those weeks, it is usually the easiest time to secure the date you want.

Days are short. In Bournemouth in December the sun rises at around 8am and sets at around 4pm, so a winter move works best with an early start and the beds and kitchen sorted while it is still light.

Preparation makes all the difference.

Clear and grit paths and driveways the evening before, and check outdoor lights work.
Ask the seller to leave the heating on low, and confirm energy and water are connected.
Keep a box with a kettle, mugs, torch, spare batteries and warm layers within reach.
Check the local forecast for ice or snow warnings. If you are driving to the new home yourself, the Highway Code advises clearing all snow and ice from your windows and lights, allowing more time, and carrying an ice scraper, torch, warm clothing and a warm drink.

Our crews lay heavy-duty floor sheeting at both properties, which matters most on wet and muddy days.

Christmas and New Year 2026 to 2027

The bank holidays in England are Friday 25 December (Christmas Day), Monday 28 December (Boxing Day, moved from the Saturday) and Friday 1 January 2027 (New Year's Day), according to GOV.UK. Purchases do not normally complete on those days, because banks and most solicitors are closed. If you want to be in before Christmas, the last working days are Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 December, so tell your solicitor and your remover early. Moving after New Year, from Monday 4 January, usually gives you more choice of dates.

Choosing the day and time of the month

The day of the week can matter as much as the season. Fridays are the most popular day for completions, so they book up first, along with the last few days of the month when many tenancies end.

A mid-week, mid-month date usually gives you the widest choice of removers and times. Bank holiday weekends are best avoided if you can, as solicitors and banks are closed and funds cannot be transferred.

If you can, avoid completing on the same day you move out of a rented home with no overlap. A day or two of slack takes a great deal of pressure off everyone.

When the chain decides for you

Often the date is set by solicitors, not by you. If your completion date is confirmed late, or falls in the busiest week of summer, tell your remover straight away so they can plan crews and vehicles.

If there is a gap between leaving one home and getting into the next, short-term storage keeps everything safe until you are ready. 1st Choice offers containerised storage, short or long term. To check dates for your move, request a quote or call 01202 570970.

1st Choice Removals van on a customer's driveway

1st Choice Removals lorry and van on a village street on moving day