Most people pick their moving date based on when their tenancy ends or when their house sale completes. If you have any flexibility at all though, the date you choose will make a big difference to what you’ll pay and how smooth the whole process goes. Here are the patterns that drive UK moving costs up and down throughout the year.
Why Summer Moves Cost So Much More
June, July and August are peak season for the removals industry across the UK. There are a few reasons for this, and they stack on top of each other.
The biggest one is school holidays. Families with children don’t want to move mid-term, so they pile into the same six-week window. At the same time, university students are vacating their term-time lets, and new graduates are relocating for jobs.
Landlords time lease turnovers for the summer too, which pushes even more renters into the mix. August is the busiest month of the year for UK moves, with around 12% of all annual moves happening then, followed by July and September at roughly 10% each.
All of this creates a supply and demand problem. Removals companies are fully booked, sometimes weeks in advance. When demand is that high, prices follow. You’ll typically pay 15-25% more for a summer move compared to the quieter months, and that’s before you factor in the stress of competing for a slot.
The Cheapest Months to Move
If you’re trying to save money, February is your best bet, with January not far behind. The festive season has just passed, most people aren’t thinking about moving, and removals firms are looking for work. Industry data puts February at around £1,020 for an average move, compared to nearly £1,190 in August. You’ll find it much easier to book your preferred date, and you’ll have more room to negotiate on price.
March, April and May sit in the shoulder period between the peaks, so you’ll get competitive quotes without dealing with the worst of the winter weather. Avoid November though. It’s a surprisingly busy month as people try to move before Christmas, which pushes prices back up close to summer levels.
How the Day of the Week Affects Your Bill
It’s not just the month that matters. The day you move will affect what you pay too.
Friday is by far the most popular day, with around 29% of all UK moves happening then. That’s because Friday completions are the standard in property sales, accounting for 30-40% of all residential completions in England and Wales. People also want the weekend to unpack without taking extra time off work. That popularity means higher prices and less availability.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday moves are typically cheaper. If you can take a day off work, a midweek move will often save you 10-18% on your quote. Traffic is lighter too, which means your movers can work more efficiently. Midweek completions also carry less risk. If something goes wrong with your bank transfer on a Friday, you’ll be stuck until Monday.
Monday moves can be slightly busier than the rest of the midweek because some people try to get it done at the start of the week. Only about 5% of moves happen on a Sunday, and not every company operates then, so your options will be more limited.
End of Month vs Mid-Month
There’s one more timing pattern that catches people out. The last few days of any month are much busier than the middle. Most rental agreements start and end on the first of the month, so tenants cluster their moves around that date. Property completions pile up at month-end too, especially the last Friday of the month, which is often the single busiest moving day of the year.
If your landlord or estate agent is flexible, aim for a move between the 10th and 20th. You’ll face less competition for movers, and the roads will be quieter on moving day too.
A Simple Plan to Save on Your Move
To get the best deal, combine as many of these timing advantages as you can:
- Move in January, February or early March
- Pick a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
- Aim for the middle of the month instead of the very end
- Book your removals company at least four to six weeks ahead, or six to eight weeks for a summer move
Good movers get snapped up regardless of the season, so booking a reliable company like Kiwi Movers well ahead of your move will still pay off, even in the quiet months. Early booking often comes with better rates too.
You won’t always be able to hit every one of these. Completion dates, tenancy agreements and life in general will get in the way. But even shifting your move by a few days, from a Friday to a Wednesday for example, will save you a noticeable amount.
When Timing Alone Won’t Help
Some costs won’t change no matter when you move. Solicitor fees, stamp duty and survey costs are fixed regardless of the season. And if you’re in a chain, you’ll have very little control over the final date.
In those cases, focus on what you can control. Declutter before the move so you’re paying to transport less stuff. Get quotes from at least three removals firms, since prices for the same job can vary by 30-50% between providers. And if you’re stuck with a peak-season date, book as early as possible to lock in the best price.
Pick Your Date, Keep Your Budget
Moving will always cost money, but the amount varies more than most people realise. A family moving on a Saturday in late July can easily pay 30% more than they would for the same move on a Wednesday in January. That’s a decent chunk of cash that will go towards furniture, decorating, or just taking some of the financial pressure off. Even a small shift in your schedule will put real money back in your pocket.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.
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