Analysis of almost 600,000 removal quotes collected by reallymoving found August has been the most popular month to move home for the last 10 years.
There were over half a million (512,000) owner-occupier moves or approximately 1,400 moves per day in 2020-21. On the most popular day of the year, Friday 26th August, 1.15% of all moves are expected on this day - approximately 5,900 homeowners. This is four times more than the average weekday.
Looking at the most popular month and days to move, this means 61,000 homeowners will move in the month of August alone and 145,000 homeowners moving on Fridays over the course of the year.
Top tips to help avoid moving day delays
Suggest a mid-week move to all in your chain pointing out the potential downfall of choosing to move on a busy day like Friday. Savings are possible, for example, removals firms may offer mid-week deals on prices. See our guide to house removals costs.
If you have to move on a Friday, ask your conveyancer to order the mortgage money from your lender the day before completion so it can be transferred first thing on the day of the move.
Tell your conveyancer and insist that it is written in the contract that you should receive the keys by 1pm. Otherwise, you will likely be stranded without keys to your new abode until Monday.
If you're going to be moving this August bank holiday, remember things will be busier. Start getting quotes for removals firms as soon as possible and appoint them immediately after exchanging contracts. Here are more tips on how to find the right removals company
Choose a removals firm you trust and have a rapport with. Talk through what would happen if a delay occurred. For example, do they have emergency storage if needed?
Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, says: “Many homeowners like to move during the school summer holidays so their children can settle into their new place in time for the new academic year.
“It may seem sensible to move on a Friday, so you have time to unpack and settle in over the weekend before heading back to work. But moving on a Friday with large swathes of other people can put pressure on the professionals helping you move, which can mean extra pressure and a greater risk of delays.
“Of course, delays can occur at any time, but on the last Friday of the month, it is peak time for conveyancing fraud and you will need to pay more for a removal company. If there are delays in transferring funds, you may have to spend the weekend in a hotel or on a friend’s or family’s sofa.”
Rob Houghton, CEO of reallymoving, adds: “Moving on the busiest day of the year isn’t for the faint-hearted, especially with the August bank holiday also happening that week, pushing more moves onto the remaining four days. Ensure your conveyancer and everyone in the chain knows you’re working towards that date and book your removals firm well in advance, so you only need to confirm as soon as you exchange. It’s best to ask them to come to your house to assess the volume of your belongings. This ensures you have the right sized van and number of team members on the day of your move.”
