Sometimes life throws you a curveball, from landlord issues to work relocations or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you need to move house fast. While it can feel overwhelming, a smooth last-minute move is possible with the right planning.
When time is short, organisation is key. We can connect you with up to 6 local movers so you can compare quotes, check removal costs, and set your budget immediately.
Once you’ve secured an experienced moving team, it’s time to prepare. This guide will walk you through our top last-minute moving tips to keep stress to a minimum and get you settled quickly.
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How Much Notice Do Removal Companies Need?
Ideally, you should book a removal company 4-6 weeks before your completion date.
If you're organising a long-distance removal you may need to give more notice than this.
If that’s not possible, aim for at least 7 days before moving. For shorter notice, call around and compare, as some companies could fit you in, especially during quieter periods.
For example, our unique data discovered that Sunday is the least popular day to move house in the UK, meaning many removal companies will likely have timeslots available then. We recommend avoiding a Friday move if you're in a hurry as this is the most popular day of the week to move and will have increased competition.
1. Create a Plan to Get You Started
Don’t waste time dwelling on the rush: start with a moving house checklist.
- Walk through your home to decide what’s being moved, donated, or discarded
- List all tasks in priority order (e.g. book removals, arrange utilities, change your address)
- Tick items off as you go to stay focused and reduce stress
Check out our guide on who to notify when you move.
2. Book a Removal Company Immediately
When time is short, a professional removal company can be the difference between a chaotic move and a smooth one. They’re used to working to tight deadlines and can handle packing, loading, and transport efficiently, with removals insurance providing peace of mind.
Use Compare My Move’s free service to get removal quotes from up to 6 verified local movers in minutes. This means you skip the time-consuming search process and can secure a trusted team quickly.
3. Manage Your Time
Once your movers are booked, focus on maximising every hour.
- Pack room by room
- Make quick keep/discard decisions
- Use a timer for tasks to keep momentum
- Tackle the most time-consuming jobs first
To learn more check out our Moving House Packing Checklist
4. Begin Packing as Soon as Possible
For speed, declutter first, fewer items mean less to pack, load, and unload. Keep essentials (important documents, chargers, medication) with you on moving day.
If time is extremely limited, consider paying for a professional packing service. Many movers can pack your entire home the day before the move, saving you hours of work.
Ask for Help
Extra hands make a huge difference in a last-minute move. Ask friends or family to:
- Help pack and label boxes
- Take care of children or pets
- Transport fragile or valuable items
- Take unwanted items off your hands
6. Use Storage if Needed
Self-storage can be a lifesaver if you can’t move everything in one go. Moving fewer items to your new home:
- Speeds up loading and unloading
- Gives you time to sort non-essentials later
- Can open up more removal company options (some have size limits)
Many movers also offer storage as part of their service.
Reduce Your Removal Costs by £600
Insured, professional companies
Used by over 1.8m UK movers
7. Remember Your Utilities
In the chaos of a short-notice move, it’s easy to forget the basics. Arrange electricity, gas, water, and internet for your new home as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary stress after arrival.
8. Stay Calm
Last-minute moves are busy, but panicking will only slow you down. Stick to your plan, keep ticking off tasks, and take short breaks to reset. Your move will feel far more manageable if you work smart and stay composed.
Saving Time and Money on Your Move
Having to figure out last-minute removals may seem overwhelming, but that doesn't have to be the case. Our service matches you with up to 6 local removal experts, allowing you to find a company that can meet your move date and budget requirements.
Simply fill out our quick and easy form today and save time, money and stress when it comes to your move.
