Moving home is a unique mixture of excitement and stress. The anticipation of a new chapter in your life, and the reality of all that packing and unpacking.
The average person in the UK will move 8 times in their lifetime. This article has researched the most popular seasons and times to move home, plus a few handy tips for packing, so you can find the time that is best for you, and make the job that little bit easier!
When is the most popular time to move home?
A 95,000 survey by Compare My Move had some interesting results about the most popular times to move:
- Friday was the most popular day throughout the UK for moving, with 34% choosing then.
Maybe not surprising. The workweek has finished, and you have a few days to get stuck into those boxes!
While Friday was the most popular throughout the country, people in Central London preferred Saturday, and Northern Ireland, Wednesday!
- Sunday was the least popular day, with only 2% choosing then.
Again, probably not a surprise. The prospect of a day unpacking, then coming home to boxes after dragging yourself to work on Monday would be enough to bring most people out in a cold sweat…
- Summer was the most popular season throughout most of the country, with August being the most popular month. (Interestingly, the Northeast and Yorkshire preferred October!)
When is the best season to move?
Spring:
Spring has its advantages. Notably, mild weather, good light and a few longer bank holiday weekends!
Summer:
Summer is the most popular time for people to move, and for a good reason. The weather is warm and sunny, which makes it a great time to pack and move your belongings. Additionally, many school-aged children are not in school during the summer months, which means you won’t have to worry about coordinating your move around school schedules.
However, it’s also worth noting that many people think this very thing, so it is the busiest season for movers- you’ll need to book well in advance to ensure availability, and you may end up paying more for the moving services.
Autumn:
With the last remnants of the summer weather and the cheaper prices as the peak un-packing season finishes, Autumn has obvious advantages.
Winter:
Bleaker weather, unpredictable conditions and short, dark days make Winter the least popular month to move. But if you are super-organised and want to cut some costs with the move, you could still make it pay off.
What is the best day to move?
Timing is everything! Moving on a weekday ( Monday to Thursday) is more cost-effective as there is less demand for moving services, and you can negotiate better rates. Choosing a weekday provides the advantage of giving you an entire weekend to unpack and settle into your new home before the next workweek starts.
Is there a best time of day for moving?
If you start your move early in the morning, you’ll be able to make the most of your time and be more productive.
If you are going to hire a professional moving company, they’ll usually arrive in the morning – around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The movers will have cooler conditions in the early morning during warm months.
If you’re renting a moving truck or container, it will give you more time for loading, unloading, and returning the vehicle on time.
Moving early will also help you avoid peak traffic hours, making the whole process a smoother affair.
When planning a move, what factors should you consider?
Family
While summer months may not be the most ideal due to high temperatures and moving costs. It’s also the best season for your family as it is the only time when all the children are out of school.
Weather.
Keep an eye on the weather conditions of the point of departure, destination and all stops along the way, as heavy rain, snow, icy roads, or extreme heat can significantly affect your move.
Cost
Moving in the off-season, ie winter, is likely to save you money if cost is a deciding factor for your move.
Holidays
By avoiding holiday moving, you can save yourself from paying the holiday premiums. Professional movers don’t want to work on a holiday any more than you do!
Self-storage can be a real stress-saver when you move home, for a variety of reasons. It helps you declutter before the big move, for a start. Then when you move in, it frees up your time to arrange things at your own pace, so you can give proper consideration to where you really want your belongings, as opposed to just trying to clear the floor of all those boxes!
If the new place needs a little TLC or renovation, then again, you have the freedom to do it at your own pace. And, of course, if there are delays in the move, for whatever reason, self-storage can be a life-saver. Moving home is stressful at the best of time; anything that can minimize that can only be a good thing.
Tips for moving home
We’ll leave you with a few final tips for unpacking to make that job a little easier too…
1. “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail!”
Yes, we all remember that one from school, now it finally makes sense! Plan ahead. Put the things you’ll need last at the back, and have the things you’ll want to bring first closest. You’ll thank us later for this one!
2. Label all your storage boxes
A description of the contents is a small effort that will really save time later. Putting your items in storage when moving home has a myriad of benefits to make your move overall less stressful, so is something you should seriously consider.
3. Heavier items on the bottom
The same principle you use when you are packing your shopping bags applies here!
4. Leave a pathway to access your good
In the rush to fill the space, it’s easy to forget to leave a path for you to unpack again.
5. Don’t over or under load boxes
Too stuffed can make them to heavy or awkward to lift; too light can end up with crushed goods, under the weight of the other boxes. Try to find that Goldilocks-zone in between.
6. And 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 £13.49 a year, with instant certification, covering theft, fire, floods, pest damage and more. 99% of customers save with us, so get a quote if you are about to make the move.
In addition, home insurance should be top of 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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