Based on our analysis of over 130,000 house removals during the past year, we found that Friday is the UK's most popular moving day, accounting for over a quarter of moves. Sunday, meanwhile, is the least popular (and therefore the cheapest) day, with just under 6% of moves taking place.
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.
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 | August |
| 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 3pm 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.
We've crunched the numbers and we can reveal that, although the favourite season to move across England and Wales is summer, autumn is the favourite season for movers in Northern Ireland. Movers in Scotland, however, opted to move house in spring.
| Area | Favourite Month to Move House |
|---|---|
| Scotland | May |
| North East | August |
| North West | August |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | August |
| East Midlands | August |
| East of England | August |
| Wales | July |
| London | August |
| South East | August |
| South West | August |
| Northern Ireland | November |
Moving House in Spring
The second most popular season to move in spring, likely boosted by the season being traditionally favoured for selling a house. The good lighting, mild temperature and somewhat predictable weather conditions make spring a good choice. Plus, spring has a range of bank holidays to take advantage of a long weekend to unpack.
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 is the UK's least popular season for moving, likely due to bleak weather and short, dark days. The cold weather may also make the move harder, as weather conditions are more extreme and icy roads can be dangerous.
You may also find yourself working around Christmas parties and New Years’ celebrations. Moving house over Christmas can be done, if you are organised and book your removal company 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.
For a full breakdown of the price of moving, check out our moving house calculator.
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
For more information on the best time to sell your house, check out our guide.
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Choosing a Removal Company
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.
Our network of trusted and verified partners are always available to discuss the details and the flexibility of your move.
