Based on our analysis of over 170,000 house removals from the past year, we found that Friday is the most popular moving day in the UK, accounting for over a 28% all moves. Sunday, meanwhile, is the least popular (and therefore the cheapest) day, with just over 5% of moves taking place. Knowing the average removal costs can help you understand how your moving date may affect your budget.
While the lower cost of a Sunday move is appealing, we still recommend moving on a Friday during the summer if your budget allows. You'll benefit from a full weekend to settle in, access to essential services like solicitors and banks, and longer summer days with a lower risk of bad weather spoiling your belongings. You can make your move easier by checking out our moving house checklist.
UK Moving Trends at a Glance
| Category | Answer |
|---|---|
| Most Popular Moving Day | Friday |
| Least Popular Moving Day | Sunday |
| Cheapest Day | Sunday |
| Most Expensive Day | Thursday |
| Most Popular Month | October |
| Most Popular Season | Summer |
Why Friday is the Best Day to Move House
The main reason such a huge amount of people move house on a Friday is that it’s the gateway to the weekend. Booking Friday off work to move means a healthy three days to get settled and unpacked in your new home.
Moving house on a Friday will mean less disruption to the housing chain if you’re buying a house. Having the completion day on a Friday morning, followed by a long weekend to move in makes for an ideal moving house process.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when moving on a Friday:
Book your move in advance, as demand is high. This can keep house removal costs down too.
Try to complete in the morning, as the bank deadline for transferring money is usually 3pm.
If you miss the 3 pm transfer deadline, you’ll have to wait until the next working day.
Arrange for your solicitor to perform all pre-completion work beforehand to avoid delays.
If anything goes wrong with utilities or you need to contact your solicitor, you'll likely have to wait until Monday.
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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. This also aligns with one of the most active periods in the housing market, making it the best time to sell your house and coordinate your sale with your move. Learn more about how long your move will take with our guide on How Long Does it Take to Move House.
We've crunched the numbers and found that, while summer is the favourite season to move across England and Wales, autumn is most popular in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, however, movers tend to prefer spring.
| Area | Favourite Month to Move House |
|---|---|
| Scotland | June |
| North East | March |
| North West | August |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | March |
| East Midlands | August |
| East of England | March |
| Wales | August |
| London | August |
| South East | March |
| South West | August |
| Northern Ireland | August |
Moving House in Spring
Spring offers longer daylight hours, mild temperatures and generally more predictable weather, which can make the moving process smoother and more manageable. The season also brings several bank holidays, creating opportunities for a long weekend to unpack and settle into a new home.
Moving House in Summer
Summer is the favourite season to move, and for good reason. Families can take advantage of the huge summer holidays to get children settled, long bright days, and predictable weather.
As the most popular season to move, summer can get very busy. Remember to book your removals well in advance if you have a particular date in mind.
Moving House in Autumn
As summer fades, you’ll still get dependable weather and longer days in the early autumn. With summer being the peak time for removal companies, moving in autumn could get you a more enticing rate.
Moving House in Winter
Winter moves can be more challenging due to shorter daylight hours and colder conditions. Icy roads and more extreme weather can make travel and lifting heavier items more difficult. In addition, the festive period can require extra planning, as Christmas and New Year events may affect availability and schedules. Moving at this time is still possible with good organisation and by booking a removal company well in advance.
What is the Cheapest Day to Move House?
Sunday is the cheapest day to move house in the UK, according to our data, with an average move costing £900.
Be aware that Sunday is out of hours for conveyancing solicitors, estate agents, banks and a whole range of other services. However, many removal companies will still operate on a Sunday.
Is it Cheaper to Move on A Weekday?
According to our data, no. We reviewed the average quotes received by a sample of users and found that Thursday proved to be the most expensive day to move.
After Sunday, Saturday proved to be the cheapest day to move house. If you're looking for a weekday move, the cheapest option is Tuesday at £1,003, which is around 14% cheaper than moving on a Thursday.
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Does Time of Year Affect Removal Rates?
Off-peak times, such as the spring or after the summer holidays, can usually result in cheaper removal costs too.
According to Compare My Move data, Thursday and Monday were the most expensive days to move house in the last year. Sunday remains the cheapest day, followed closely by Saturday and Tuesday. Friday stands as the most popular day and costs on average £1,076.
Ultimately, the best time to move depends on your personal circumstances. Spring and summer are ideal in terms of prospective buyers, good weather, removal company rates, and working around holidays.
Prices are based on our cost data, received directly from user feedback.
When is the Best Time to Sell Your House?
According to estate agent Portico London, the best time to sell your house is spring. The good weather means your garden will be starting to bloom, making the house look more appealing to potential buyers. Plus, prospective buyers are also more willing to house hunt in better weather conditions.
The timing of your move will largely be affected by your estate agent and solicitor. Maintaining communication with them can help ensure they are up to date on what needs to be done and they are ready for the exchange of contracts.
Generally, though, there are more buyers in spring, making it the best time to start the selling process.
“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."
Mark Lawrinson, Regional Sales Director, Portico London estate agents.
Autumn also proves to be a popular time to sell a house, according to Martin & Co, as buyers are back from their summer holidays and will want to move in before Christmas. Whenever you decide to sell your house, ensure plenty of time.
You’ll want to list your home as early as possible because there can be as much as 3 to 6 months between starting the selling process and actually moving from your home. So listing your property during winter is a great idea if you’re looking for a spring sale.
“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."
Mike Shrubsall, Managing Director, Martin & Co
Choosing a Removal Company
Regardless of your moving date, it is essential that you find a verified and insured removal company for your move. Let their team handle the logistics and heavy lifting, while you focus on your new home.
Compare My Move can help you find a removal company that meets your 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.
