How long does it take to move house? 2027 UK guide
Moving house in the UK typically takes three to four months if you are buying, from having an offer accepted to collecting the keys. Including the time to find a property, the whole process can take six months or more. Renting is much quicker, usually two to six weeks from finding a home to moving in. Moving day itself usually takes one day, though large homes and long distance moves can take two.
The exact time depends on whether you are in a chain, how quickly your mortgage is approved and how fast the legal work progresses. Below we set out the moving house process, a timeline you can plan around and what to expect if you are moving a long way.
The moving house process step by step (buying and selling)
- Get a mortgage agreement in principle. Many lenders give one online on the same day.
- Find a property and make an offer. This can take a few weeks or several months. Once accepted, the property is usually marked as sold subject to contract.
- Instruct a conveyancer. Do this as soon as your offer is accepted, or before, so there is no delay.
- Apply for your mortgage. The formal application typically takes up to two weeks to reach an offer, according to HSBC, though it can take longer.
- Searches and enquiries. Your conveyancer orders local authority, water and environmental searches. This is usually the longest stage.
- Survey. Booking and receiving the report typically takes two to three weeks.
- Exchange of contracts. The sale becomes legally binding and the completion date is fixed. This is the moment to confirm your removal booking.
- Completion. Money moves between solicitors and you collect your keys, usually one to four weeks after exchange, according to HSBC.
The renting process
Renting has fewer steps:
- Find a property and make an offer (one to four weeks)
- Pay a holding deposit and complete referencing and right to rent checks (one to three weeks)
- Sign the tenancy agreement and pay your deposit and first month's rent
- Agree a move in date, often within days of signing
If you already rent, check your notice period. Many tenancies require one or two months' notice, which often sets your timeline more than finding a new home.
Moving house timeline
The stages overlap, so the total is less than the sum of each step.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|
| Agreement in principle | Same day to a few days |
| Finding a property | A few weeks to several months |
| Mortgage application to offer | Up to two weeks, sometimes longer |
| Survey | Two to three weeks |
| Conveyancing (searches and enquiries) | 6 to 12 weeks |
| Exchange to completion | One to four weeks |
| Offer accepted to completion (overall) | Around 12 weeks, often longer in a chain |
Source: HSBC home buying timeline. Chain-free purchases can complete faster, and long chains can take considerably longer.
How long packing takes
Packing usually takes longer than people expect. As a general guide:
- Studio or one bedroom flat: two to four evenings or one to two full days
- Two to three bedroom house: one to two weeks of steady packing
- Four bedrooms or more: two to three weeks, especially with a loft or garage
Start with items you rarely use and leave everyday essentials until the final days. A professional packing service usually packs a home over one to two days before moving day. Our guide on how to pack your house for a move has a room by room plan, and you can order boxes from the Pickfords box shop.
How long moving day takes
Moving day time depends on volume, access and distance. For a local move, Pickfords move data 2026 shows these typical times:
| Property size | Typical local moving day |
|---|
| One bedroom flat | Around half a day |
| Two bedroom house | Four to six hours |
| Three bedroom house | Six to eight hours |
| Four or more bedrooms | A full day, sometimes two |
Stairs, narrow streets and parking restrictions can add time. On completion day, keys are often released around midday or later, once funds have cleared, so many people load in the morning and unload in the afternoon.
How long does a long distance move take?
In the removals industry, a long distance move is usually one of 100 miles or more. These moves add driving time, and a removal vehicle travels more slowly than a car, with crews taking breaks to meet driving hours rules. As a result, many long distance moves run over two days.
Moving between major UK cities
The table below shows approximate road distances and typical car drive times for common routes, with the cost band that applies from the Pickfords move data 2026 table. Allow extra time for a loaded removal vehicle and for traffic around London, Birmingham and Manchester.
| Route | Approx. road distance | Typical drive time (car) | Usually | Cost band (Pickfords move data 2026) |
|---|
| London to Manchester | About 200 miles | 4 to 4.5 hours | One long day or two days | Long distance (100+ miles) |
| London to Birmingham | About 120 miles | Around 2.5 hours | One day | Long distance (100+ miles) |
| London to Edinburgh | About 400 miles | 7.5 to 8 hours | Two days | Long distance (100+ miles), 300+ miles |
| Manchester to Leeds | About 45 miles | Around 1 hour | One day | Local move (under 50 miles) |
| Bristol to London | About 120 miles | Around 2.5 hours | One day | Long distance (100+ miles) |
| Glasgow to London | About 410 miles | 7.5 to 8 hours | Two days | Long distance (100+ miles), 300+ miles |
Distances and times are approximate and vary by route and traffic.
For long distance moves of 100 miles or more, removals-only costs typically range from £600 to £1,200 for a one bedroom flat, £1,200 to £2,500 for a three bedroom house and £2,000 to £4,500 for a 5+ bedroom house, according to Pickfords move data 2026. For moves of 300 miles or more, such as London to Edinburgh or Glasgow to London, a three bedroom move can exceed £2,200. Our guide to removal costs in the UK explains every factor.
Overnight and two-day moves
A common pattern for a two-day move is:
- Day one: the crew packs (if booked) and loads your home, then travels part or all of the way.
- Overnight: your belongings stay secured in the locked vehicle or at a depot.
- Day two: the crew arrives at your new home and unloads.
This gives you time to drive or take the train, collect keys and settle in before the van arrives. For a move such as Glasgow to London, a two-day plan is often calmer than trying to load, drive and unload in one day.
Planning a long distance move
- Book early. Get quotes eight to twelve weeks ahead. Peak months (May to September), Fridays and the end of the month book up first.
- Arrange a survey. An accurate inventory matters more on a long move, because a second trip is rarely practical.
- Check access at both ends. Ask your new council about parking suspensions early, as they can take time to arrange.
Storage between homes
Completion dates do not always line up, especially when you are selling in one place and buying in another. Self storage from £18 gives you breathing space.
- Quick access: container storage and traditional self storage suit short gaps where you may need items.
- Long term: drive-up self storage suits longer gaps.
Pickfords offers free collection for drive-up storage and container storage in Horsham, Edinburgh and Manchester. Facilities offer 24/7 access at selected facilities. Choose a secure facility to keep your belongings safe at all times. Find out more about short term storage.
What to pack separately
You may not see your belongings for a day or two, so keep these with you:
- Passports, driving licences and property documents
- Keys, chargers and laptops
- Medication and a small first aid kit
- Jewellery and other small valuables
- A change of clothes and toiletries for each person
- Bedding for the first night
- Kettle, mugs, snacks and basic cutlery
- Pet food, bowls and bedding if you have pets
How Pickfords helps with long distance moves
With over 400 years of experience and coverage of every postcode in the UK and Ireland, Pickfords plans long distance moves step by step:
- Quote and home survey. A surveyor assesses your home in person or by video call, then you receive a written quote.
- Planning your date and route. We agree a moving date, plan the route and check access and parking at both addresses.
- Packing service option. Our team can pack your whole home or just fragile items, usually over one to two days before the move.
- Loading. The crew protects furniture, dismantles items where needed and loads the vehicle.
- Transport. Your belongings travel directly to your new home.
- Overnight secure holding if needed. On two-day moves, your belongings are held securely overnight.
- Delivery and unpacking. The crew unloads, places furniture in the right rooms and can unpack for you.
- Storage option. If your new home is not ready, we can store your belongings until it is.
How to speed up your move
- Buyers: get your agreement in principle early, instruct a conveyancer straight away and reply quickly to requests for documents
- Sellers: fill in property forms early and gather certificates, guarantees and planning documents
- Renters: have ID, references and proof of income ready before viewings
- Everyone: book your removal company six to eight weeks ahead for local moves and eight to twelve weeks for long distance moves
For more planning help, read our tips to prepare for your move and our guide to moving home with a family.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you buy a house in two months?
Yes, it is possible if there is no chain, your mortgage is approved quickly and both solicitors respond promptly. Most purchases take longer, so plan for three to four months.
- How long between exchange and completion?
It is usually one to four weeks, with around two weeks being common. It can be the same day if everyone agrees, though this leaves little time to arrange your removal.
- How long does it take to move a three bedroom house?
For a local move, loading, transport and unloading typically takes six to eight hours, according to Pickfords move data 2026. Packing beforehand usually takes one to two weeks if you do it yourself.
- Can a long distance move be done in one day?
Moves of around 200 miles or less can often be done in one long day, depending on volume and access. Longer moves, such as London to Edinburgh, usually run over two days so the crew can load, rest and unload safely.
- Where do my belongings go overnight on a two-day move?
They usually stay in the locked removal vehicle or at a secure depot. Ask your removal company to confirm the arrangement in writing.
- Is it worth paying for packing on a long move?
Professional packing protects your belongings over a long distance and saves you days of work. Goods in Transit insurance may not cover items you packed yourself, so check the terms.
- What happens if completion is delayed on moving day?
Your removal team may need to wait or store your belongings overnight. Pickfords offers a late key waiver that protects you from unexpected costs of late keys.
Plan your move with Pickfords
Whether you are moving across town or from Glasgow to London, Pickfords can help at every stage, from packing to storage and moving day itself. Request a free quote for your upcoming move.