Home buyers are being warned 30 May is set to be the busiest day to move house in 2025.
Last year, 1.23% of house moves took place on Friday 31 May, according to moving comparison site Compare My Move. And this year the final Friday in May is expected to be just as eventful.
Indeed, Friday is the most popular day to move house, with almost 27% of all moves taking place on a Friday in 2024.
But the final Friday of the month gets even busier, and this is particularly noticeable in May and August.
According to Compare My Move, last year Friday, 31 May saw 13,531 of house moves (1.23%) and on Friday 30 August there were 12,207 movers (1.11%).
Dave Sayce, co-founder and managing director of Compare My Move, said: “Moving on a Friday is ideal for most people, as you have the entire weekend to then get settled in, and it means that you don’t have to take more than a day off work even if you know your move is going to take a little longer than a day.
“Sunday, however, doesn’t give you any time afterwards to settle into your new house, and is likely why many people choose to avoid it, as well as most banks and solicitors being closed or working reduced hours on a Sunday. However, most removal companies will work on Sundays.”
With 30 May set to be a bumper day for both movers and the professionals involved with the process, Sayce has offered some advice to anyone looking at this day for their potential house transition.
He explained because of the number of households expected to move on this date both conveyancers and removal companies are likely to be busier than usual, which means increased chances of delays.
There’s also a higher risk that conveyancers may miss the 3.30pm completion deadline. So, here are a few ways you can plan your move to reduce the chances of delays:
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Don’t feel you have to move on completion day
“While some people won’t have a choice, especially those in a property chain, others may have more flexibility” Sayce said. “If you’re a first-time buyer or not relying on a chain, consider moving a day after your completion date.
“This gives you breathing room in case there are delays and avoids the risk of having to cancel or rearrange your removal company if the 3:30pm deadline is missed.”
According to Compare My Move, the average cost of a removals company on a Friday is £1,076, which is less than a Monday or a Thursday, despite Friday being by far the busiest day for movers.
Saturday is the second most popular day to move – but it remains one of the cheapest, costing over £100 less than moving on a Friday.
Sayce said: “This is largely due to weekend moves being less likely to fall through. Most house purchases are completed on weekdays, as money transfers typically can’t be processed on Saturdays or Sundays.
“By the weekend, buyers have usually already completed their purchase and transferred the funds. This significantly reduces the risk of last-minute delays, making weekend moves more predictable and secure for movers.”
He warned a midweek move carried more uncertainty. “If the money isn’t transferred by the 3.30pm cut-off, the move can’t go ahead until the following weekday,” he said. “For those who’ve already booked a removal company, this delay can be costly and stressful for both the buyer and the moving company.”
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Book well in advance
Early in the buying process, your conveyancer will give you an estimated completion date. Sayce advised that, if everything runs smoothly, especially in a no-chain purchase, this estimate is usually quite accurate.
“If your move falls at the end of the week or the end of the month,” he added, “it’s wise to book your removal company as early as possible, as these are the busiest times.”
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Opt for a mid-week or mid-month move
If you have more control over your moving date, Sayce suggests trying to aim for the middle of the week, the middle of the month, or both.
He explained: “Our data shows a clear drop in demand during these quieter times, especially when compared to the end of the month or popular days like Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.”
