If you’re having to plan a house move anytime soon, whether you’re moving into a rented property, upsizing, downsizing or buying your first home, you might be wondering – is there a best time to move house? 

The truth is the best time to move house depends a lot on your individual needs. How smoothly the removal process will go hinges mostly on your lifestyle and organisational skills, among other factors,  however, the time of year can often also play a role. 

There are a few “golden rules” to keep in mind when choosing when to start the process of moving house. The first one is of course – get professional help from an experienced removals company, such as Bassy’s Removals, to make the process easier. You also might want to consider factors such as the weather, daylight hours and market demand, if you’re selling your old property. 

So when is the best time to move house? In this post we’ll give you more information on the most popular time of the year to move house as well as give you some tips on how to plan a successful move. 

When is the Best Time to Move House? 

In the UK, generally speaking the best time of the year to move house tends to be summer. Part of the reason for this is the warm weather as well as the longer days allow for a more pleasant and less dangerous move. If you have kids, moving in summer has additional advantages because there’s no school. This means you don’t have to worry about your kids missing out on lessons and if they need to switch schools it also allows you to arrange for them to have a fresh start in the new school year. 

The downside here, however, is that with so many people moving around this time of the year, it’s usually the busiest period for removal companies. If you have a habit of arranging things last minute, you might end up disappointed to find out that all reputable companies in your area are all booked up. 

If you want to spare yourself some stress, it’s worth keeping in mind that you can still have the advantage of good weather and more daylight by planning your move right after the summer holiday period is over. As we’ve already mentioned in our previous blog, one of the keys to planning a successful house move is starting on the arrangement as early as you can.  

How to Choose When to Move House? 

Having a general idea about the best time to move house is always handy, but it’s also important to consider your personal circumstances. While for some people the best time to move might be summer, for others it can be inconvenient. Choosing a time that works for you is the first step to a successful house move, so here are a few things to consider to ensure you’re choosing the right time to move home: 

• Holidays

Avoid moving home around holiday periods such as Christma or New Years. It might seem like a great idea to move during the holiday period when you might have a few extra days off work, but if you do that you risk having a very stressful move and a miserable Christmas celebration. During the holidays, roads tend to be buisier which can lead to delays. Additionally, the weather around this time of the year is usually wet, cold and even snowy, which increases the risk of accidents while carrying all the heavy boxes. 

• Job

Before arranging moving dates and booking a house removal, you have to make sure that you can take the time off if needed. If there are certain times of the year that are particularly busy at your job, avoid planning your house move during these periods. Both your employer and your coworkers will thank you for taking this into consideration! As well as that you should make sure to book the days you need off well in advance to account for potential problems that may arise. Of course if you’re moving to start a new job or quitting your job before you move this wouldn’t be a problem. 

• Weather

Snow, frost and rain are hazardous weather conditions for carrying heavy boxes and large pieces of furniture. The last thing you want is for your processions to get damaged or the removers you hired injuring themselves due to the unsuitable weather conditions. This is why in general you should try avoiding winter when moving if it’s possible. 

• Timing

During busy periods it’s not just removals companies that’ll be busy. Mortgage advisors, estate agents, surveyors and other people who may be involved in the whole moving process, tend to also be very busy during peak moving times. If you put everything off until the last minute you’re risking slowing the process and  dragging out your move far beyond your original moving time. 

• Removal Company Availability 

You might decide that spring or summer is the best time for you to move house, but you won’t be the only one that’s considering relocating during this period. To guarantee that the removal company you’ve chosen will be available, make sure to book the date you need at least a few weeks in advance (or even months during the busiest periods). 

Best Time of the Year to Sell a House 

When thinking about the best time to move house, it’s also important to consider when to put your current property on the market. Certain periods are sure to bring in more potential buyers looking to view your property, which can make a huge difference in how fast you can sell your house as well as the price you’ll get for it. This can be particularly important if you have to sell your current home before being able to secure a new property. 

As you might’ve already guessed, the most popular time of the year for selling your house is in spring and summer. The periods with less demand are usually late autumn and winter. During these times you might find it harder to get interest in your property and sell it in time for the big move. 

Bottom Line

There isn’t a universal answer as to when the perfect time to move house is. While summer is the most popular time to move house, it might not be the best for everyone. 

Whenever you choose to move house the most important thing is starting preparations early enough and arranging moving all your belongings into your new place. If you’re in need of professional removal services in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester or Newark, contact us today!