How Long Does it Take to Move House?

Thinking about moving house for the first time? Then, you’ve probably thought, “How long does it take to move house?”.

Well, there isn’t a right or wrong answer to this question. Various factors can influence the timeframe, and everybody will be different. For this reason, we estimate that moving house can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 6 months.

How Long Does a House Move Take?

As you know, the average time to move house is 12 weeks and 6 months. However, let’s break down each stage in the moving journey:

Stage in the Moving Journey	Expected Duration
Home Search	10-12 weeks
Mortgage Approval	18-40 days
Selecting a Conveyancer	8-12 weeks
Home Inspection and Survey	2-3 weeks
Contract Exchange	Around week 8
Completion of Purchase	7-28 days
The Day of Moving	1-2 days

1. Home Search

The search for the right property takes 10 to 12 weeks.

Begin by setting a budget and exploring properties within this range. Portals like Rightmove and Zoopla are great starting points, but local searches can also be beneficial.

Also, get a mortgage agreement in principle as early as possible. It will give you a clear understanding of your borrowing capacity.

2. Mortgage Approval

On average, securing a mortgage takes about 18 to 40 days.

You should have selected a mortgage provider by this stage and started the application process. Remember, once approved, the offer will likely only be available for 3 – 6 months.

3. Selecting a Conveyancer

Selecting a conveyancer usually takes from 8 to 12 weeks from when the sale is agreed.

This step involves researching and choosing a professional to handle the legal aspects of buying a home. Conveyancing starts once an offer is accepted and concludes on completion day.

4. Home Inspection and Survey

A house survey, including conducting and getting the results, takes about 2 to 3 weeks.

Different types of surveys are available depending on the property and condition. Once you have the survey results, you’ll want to forward them to your conveyancer for review.

5. Contract Exchange

Exchanging contracts typically occurs around week 8, but this can vary.

Factors influencing this timeline include property type, chain length, and any legal or survey issues. The exchange of contracts finalizes the sale terms, and a completion date is set.

6. Completion of the Sale

The completion of the sale usually happens 7 to 28 days after the exchange of contracts. This is the final step, where ownership legally changes hands.

7. Moving Day

The final step is moving and usually takes about 1 to 2 days.

Moving into your new home typically aligns with the set completion day, yet sometimes, unique circumstances might lead to a different moving date. If you need help moving, consider contacting us at Easy Way Removals. We’ll do all the heavy lifting and transporting for you, so you don’t need to lift a finger. Make your move easy with Easy Way Removals.