The day you choose to move can make a significant difference to your removal cost, stress levels, and how smoothly the day goes. Here's the data on the best — and worst — days to move.
Key Points
Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest and least busy days to move house in the UK
Friday is the most popular — and most expensive — moving day, adding 10-20% to costs
June, July, and August are peak season — avoid if possible, or book 8-12 weeks ahead
January and February are the cheapest months, with the best availability and lowest removal prices
Moving mid-morning (9-10am start) gives your team the most time and avoids rush-hour delays
The last Friday of the month is the single busiest moving day — avoid unless you have no choice
Best Days of the Week to Move
🟢
Monday
Good
⭐
Tuesday
Best value
⭐
Wednesday
Best value
🟡
Thursday
Average
🔴
Friday
Most expensive
Best and Worst Months to Move
Month
Rating
Why
January
Best
Cheapest rates, best availability, fewer moves in market
February
Excellent
Low demand, cheaper quotes, no school holiday pressure
March / April
Good
Spring market picks up but still reasonable prices and availability
May
Average
Bank holidays cause bunching; prices begin to rise
June / July / August
Worst / Most expensive
Peak season — families moving in school holidays, highest prices
September / October
Good
Post-summer, autumn market active but prices drop from peak
November
Excellent
Fewer completions, good availability, lower prices
December
Tricky
Christmas shutdown affects solicitors; many firms fully booked before break
Why Friday is the Worst Day to Move
Around 50% of all house moves in the UK complete on a Friday. This is because conveyancing solicitors prefer to complete on Fridays (end of the working week), and buyers like to move in over the weekend to settle before returning to work.
Friday removal slots are booked out weeks in advance
Removal prices on Fridays are typically 10-20% higher
Solicitors are more stretched — key release delays are more common
Traffic is heavier, extending journey times and adding to hourly costs
If something goes wrong, you may not be able to contact solicitors over the weekend
The last Friday of each month is the single busiest and most stressful moving day
Best Time of Day to Start Your Move
8-9am Start
Maximises daylight and time. Best for large properties or long-distance moves. Ensure keys are confirmed for early morning.
9-10am Start (Recommended)
Avoids the worst rush-hour traffic. Gives time to pack last items. Most removal companies' preferred start time.
After 11am Start
Only advisable for very small moves (1-bed flat). On completion day you're waiting for keys — a later start may mean finishing in the dark.
The Completion Day Delay Problem
On completion day, your removal team often arrives at 8-9am but can't access the new property until the solicitor releases the keys — typically 12-2pm. This means:
Your goods may sit in the van for 3-4 hours
Removal firms charge for waiting time (typically £20-40/hour)
If the chain collapses, storage may be needed at short notice
Discuss the delay policy with your removal company before booking
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest day to move house?
Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days for removals in the UK. There is less demand from conveyancing completions (which cluster on Fridays), lighter traffic, and many removal companies charge lower rates for midweek bookings.
Is Monday a good day to move house?
Monday is generally a good choice — better than Thursday or Friday. The main consideration is that solicitors may be catching up from the previous week, so key release can sometimes be slightly later than other weekdays. However, it's still significantly cheaper than Friday.
Can I influence my completion date?
Yes — when exchanging contracts, your solicitor will agree a completion date with the other party. You can request a midweek date. Not all chains will accommodate this, but it's worth asking. A midweek completion can save you 10-20% on removal costs and significantly reduce stress.
What is the worst time of year to move house?
June, July, and August are universally the most expensive and busiest months to move in the UK. School holiday periods (particularly the summer break) see the highest demand. If you must move in summer, book your removal company 8-12 weeks in advance.