Moving home is a unique mixture of excitement and stress. You get the excitement of starting a new chapter, alongside the reality of packing, organising, and unpacking.
Around 1.8 million households in England moved home during 2024 to 2025, so moving is something a lot of us will experience at some point.
But when is the most popular time to move? Does the season, day of the week or even time of day make a difference? Our article looks at the most popular times to move home, what to consider when choosing your moving date and a few handy packing tips to help make the process a little easier.
When Is the Most Popular Time to Move Home?
According to data from Konnect You, based on more than 170,000 house removals, Friday is the most popular day of the week to move, with more than 28% of moves taking place on a Friday. Sunday is the least popular, with just over 5% of moves taking place on this day.
Friday makes sense for many people. If you take the day off work, you then have the whole weekend to unpack and get settled before Monday morning.
Summer is the most popular season for moving home, with the longer days, school holidays and more predictable weather making it a popular choice.
Property transactions also follow a seasonal pattern, with HMRC reporting increased activity during the summer months and less during winter.
The most popular time is not necessarily the right time for everyone. Your ideal moving date will depend on your family, budget, work commitments and how flexible your moving arrangements are.
When Is the Best Season to Move?
Each season has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is worth thinking about what matters most to you before choosing your moving date.
Spring:
Spring can be a good time to move if you want to avoid the colder winter months without moving during the height of summer.
The days are getting longer, temperatures are starting to rise, and there are several bank holidays that may give you some extra flexibility.
Summer:
Summer is a popular time to move, and removal data still shows it as the most popular season overall.
The warmer weather and longer days can make moving furniture and boxes easier, while families with school-aged children may find the summer holidays more convenient.
The downside is that summer can also be a busy time for removal companies. If you are planning to move during the school holidays, booking your removals company early can give you more choice.
Autumn:
Autumn can be a good option if you want to avoid the busiest summer period.
Temperatures are usually cooler, and you may find that removal companies have more availability. However, the days are getting shorter and rain, fallen leaves and poor weather can make moving day more difficult.
Winter:
Winter is commonly the least appealing time of year for many people because of the shorter days and unpredictable weather.
Rain, frost, ice and potentially snow can all make roads, paths and driveways more difficult to use. You will also have fewer daylight hours to get everything moved.
On the other hand, winter can be a quieter time for removal companies, and you may find it easier to arrange a move outside the busier periods.
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What Is the Best Day to Move?
Friday is currently the most popular moving day in the UK, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. Popularity can also mean higher demand. If you are looking for a cheaper moving date, it may be worth asking removal companies about their quieter days.
The main advantage of moving on a Friday is having the weekend ahead of you. It gives you two days to unpack, organise your new home and deal with any jobs that need doing before returning to work.
Is There a Best Time of Day for Moving?
Starting your move early in the morning can give you more time to get everything done during daylight hours.
Professional removal companies will often arrive in the morning, although the exact time will depend on the company and your arrangements.
An earlier start can also be useful during the summer, when moving furniture and boxes during the cooler part of the day may be more comfortable.
If you are renting a van or moving truck, starting early gives you more time for loading, unloading and returning the vehicle within your agreed rental period.
When Planning a Move, What Factors Should You Consider?
The most popular moving date will not necessarily be the best option for your circumstances. Before choosing a date, think about the following.
- Family: If you have children, moving during the school holidays may be easier as you will not have to work around school and term dates. You should also think about pets. Moving day can be noisy and disruptive, so making arrangements to keep them somewhere safe and quiet can help.
- Weather: Check the forecast before moving day and think about the conditions at both your old and new home. Heavy rain, ice, snow or extreme heat can all make moving more difficult. Make sure paths, driveways and entrances are safe and accessible.
- Cost: The time of year and day of the week can affect demand for removal services. If keeping costs down is important, ask removal companies whether they offer different prices for quieter dates.
- Bank holidays: Bank holidays may seem like a convenient opportunity to move if you have extra time off work, but they can also be busy. Check the opening hours of your solicitor, estate agent and other essential services before choosing a bank holiday moving date.
- Your property chain: If you are buying and selling a property, your moving date may depend on other people in the chain. Try not to make arrangements that cannot easily be changed until your completion date has been confirmed.
Self Storage Can Make Moving Easier
Self storage can be useful if there is a gap between moving out of your old home and moving into your new one.
It can also give you more space while you declutter and pack, or if your new home needs decorating before you are ready to unpack everything.
Rather than trying to fit all your belongings into your new home immediately, you can keep some items in storage and bring them into the house when you are ready.
This can be very useful if your moving date changes or you need some extra time to get organised.
Tips For Moving Home
Once your moving date is booked, it is time to start preparing. A little organisation can make a big difference when moving day arrives.
1. Plan ahead
Do not leave everything until the last few days. Start packing items you do not use regularly and work your way through the house.
Keep the things you will need first somewhere easy to find, rather than burying them at the back of the van or underneath other boxes.
2. Label all your boxes
Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in.
This will make it much easier to find what you need when you arrive at your new home and save you from opening every box to find the kettle.
3. Put heavier items at the bottom
When packing boxes, put heavier items underneath lighter ones.
This helps prevent fragile belongings from being crushed and makes the boxes easier to carry.
4. Leave a pathway
It can be tempting to fill every available space with boxes, but remember that you will need to get around while unpacking.
Leave clear pathways wherever possible so you can reach the things you need.
5. Do not overload your boxes
Overloaded boxes can become too heavy or awkward to lift.
Try to keep boxes a manageable weight and fill any gaps with suitable packing material.
6. Don’t forget your insurance
Plan for the unexpected! If you’re putting your items into storage during your move, our self storage insurance coverage starts at just £14.90 a year, with instant certification and cover for theft, fire, floods, pest damage and more. 90% of customers save with us, so get a quote if you’re about to make the move.
Home insurance should also be high on your list when moving home. Make sure you’ve notified your existing policy of your change of address, or get a home insurance quote for your new area.
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