Moving House Tips
Moving house tips from experienced removal crews always start with timing. The month, day, and even time of day you move affects the price, availability, and stress level. Peak periods cost 20 to 40 percent more than quiet ones. This guide covers when to move for the lowest price, when demand peaks, and how to book smart.
January, February, and November are cheapest. Midweek moves save 10-30%.
Avoid the last Friday of the month.
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Giant Van Best Time to Move House UK: The Full Picture
The cheapest months to move house in the UK are January, February, and November.
Removal companies from national chains like Braithwaite's to independents like Giant Van all have fewer bookings in winter, so prices drop and availability opens up.
January is particularly quiet because most people are recovering from Christmas and reluctant to deal with the disruption.
The weather can be a factor: rain, ice, and shorter daylight hours make physical loading slower.
But a professional crew works in all conditions, and the cost saving of 20 to 30 percent compared to peak summer months outweighs the inconvenience.
March to May and September to October sit in the middle range.
June, July, and August are peak months because families want to move during school holidays.
The last Friday of any month is the single busiest moving day in the UK, as property completions cluster around month-end dates set by solicitors.
Best Time to Move House UK: Access Challenges Solved
Best Time to Move House UK: Advice to Save Time and Stress
Insurance and Inclusions for Best Time to Move House UK
Three factors determine the best time to move house.
First, demand: the last Friday of each month is the busiest moving day in the UK because most property completions cluster there.
Removal companies charge premium rates and book out weeks ahead.
Second, season: June through September is peak moving season, driven by school holidays and longer daylight.
Prices run 20 to 40 percent higher than January or February.
Third, day of the week: midweek moves (Tuesday to Thursday) are consistently cheaper and easier to book than Fridays or weekends.
The cheapest month to move house in the UK is January, followed by February and November.
December is quiet but complicated by Christmas and bank holidays.
If you have flexibility on your completion date, choosing a Tuesday in late January can save £100 to £300 compared to a Friday in July.
These moving house tips on timing apply if you hire a removal company or do a DIY move, though the savings are most noticeable with professional services.
Best Time to Move House UK: Start Here
- 01
Book your removal company 6 to 8 weeks before the move date during peak months (June to September) and 4 to 6 weeks during off-peak.
- 02
Early booking guarantees your preferred time slot and the best price.
- 03
If your completion date falls on a Friday, ask your solicitor whether a Thursday completion is possible.
- 04
This single change can reduce your removal cost and give you an extra day to unpack before the weekend.
- 05
When requesting quotes, ask for pricing on 2 to 3 different dates.
- 06
Many companies offer lower rates for midweek or early-morning starts.
- 07
Avoid the last week of the month if possible.
- 08
If you rent rather than buy, your move date is fully flexible.
Best Time to Move House UK Across Every Region
Moving costs vary by month due to demand and weather.
January: cheapest, low demand, crews widely available.
February: second cheapest, similar availability.
March: prices start rising as spring movers book.
April: moderate demand, Easter bank holidays reduce available days.
May: prices climb with two bank holidays reducing capacity.
June: peak season begins, 20 to 30 percent above January.
July: peak, 25 to 40 percent above January.
August: highest demand, school holidays drive family moves.
September: still peak, university term starts drive young-adult moves.
October: prices fall to moderate levels.
November: second cheapest month, low demand.
December: quiet but limited by Christmas week closures.
These moving house tips on timing can save £100 to £300 on the removal alone.
Factor in that solicitors, surveyors, and mortgage lenders are also less busy in winter, meaning faster processing times.
Best Time to Move House UK: Our Promise
Giant Van operates 7 days a week, 12 months a year across the UK.
There are no weekend surcharges and no peak-season multipliers on fixed-price quotes.
Man and van from £49, house removals from £149.
Book early during peak months for the widest choice of time slots.
Message us in the live chat for a free quote on any date.
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When Best Time to Move House UK Demand Drops
Peak Season vs Off-Peak Moving: What You Save
Not every courier or removal firm offers the same flexibility.
Check if your chosen company charges premiums for weekends, bank holidays, or specific time slots.
Giant Van operates across the UK with transparent pricing and no hidden day-of-week surcharges.
Man and van from £49, house removals from £149.
Message us in the live chat to book or request a free quote.
The best time to move house combines good timing with early booking.
January midweek moves offer the cheapest rates and widest availability.
Peak summer Fridays cost the most and book out fastest.
These moving house tips apply if you hire professionals or go DIY.
Giant Van operates 7 days a week across the UK with no weekend or seasonal surcharges.
Man and van from £49, house removals from £149.
Message us in the live chat.
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Moving House Tips — FAQs
Can I move a house midweek to save money?
Yes. Moving midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) is typically 10 to 30 percent cheaper than Friday or weekend moves. The challenge is that most property completions are set for Fridays by solicitors. Ask your solicitor whether a midweek completion is possible. If you rent, moving day is flexible and midweek is the clear best option.
Does a home collection courier service help during a move?
A home collection courier service is useful for items that do not fit in the van or need to reach the new address separately. Services like AnyVan, Shiply, and CollectPlus offer home collection for boxes, furniture, and odd-shaped items. Prices start from around £10 for small parcels and £40 for single furniture items.
Is it cheaper to move house in January?
Yes. January is consistently the cheapest month to move house in the UK. Demand is at its lowest, and removal companies have wide availability. Prices can be 20 to 40 percent lower than peak summer months. The trade-off is shorter daylight hours and a higher chance of rain or cold weather.
If you have flexibility, a midweek January move offers the best possible combination of price and availability.
Why is Friday the most expensive day to move house?
Friday is the most popular completion day because solicitors and conveyancers process completions in batches at the end of the week. This concentrates demand for removal companies on Fridays, driving prices up and availability down. The last Friday of each month is the single busiest moving day in the UK.
Ask your solicitor about a midweek completion to avoid the Friday premium.
Do moving house tips recommend morning or afternoon moves?
Morning moves are better. An early start (8am to 9am) gives you a full day to load, travel, unload, and start unpacking. Afternoon moves risk running into evening darkness (especially in winter) and leave you with a house full of boxes and no time to set up beds.
Most removal companies offer morning and afternoon slots, with morning slots booking first during peak periods.
Should I avoid bank holidays for a house move?
Bank holidays reduce the available moving days in a month, which pushes demand onto surrounding days. The days immediately before and after a bank holiday weekend are busier and more expensive. If you move on the bank holiday itself, some companies charge premiums. Giant Van operates on bank holidays with no surcharge.
Moving on a bank holiday can work well if you need the extra day off to unpack.
Sources and further reading
These are the official UK sources that set the rules for a job like this one. Each link goes straight to the source so you can check it yourself. Links open in a new tab.
- Citizens Advice
Free, independent advice on consumer rights, contracts and complaints.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, s.49 (reasonable care and skill)
Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015: a service you pay for must be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
The regulations covering what a trader must tell you before you book, and your right to cancel a service booked online or by phone.
- CMA — what businesses need to know about unfair commercial practices
The Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on how a business has to present its prices and offers.
All links checked on or after 1 August 2026.
Compiled by the Giant Van editorial team
Giant Van Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 16071027.