Best day of the week to move house
Moving into your home should be a time of excitement. But, in the midst of it all comes confusion and questions you may not know how to answer.
Luckily, we're here to help.
When planning to move house, one of the most common questions is which day of the week is best for getting the bulk of the work done. You might even question whether there is a day when:
- Removal companies are less expensive
- There is less traffic on the roads
- It is easier for people with full-time jobs to make the most of their time
- Banks and utility providers will be able to handle potential problems faster
While there are accurate answers to all of these questions, the essence of a successful move will always ultimately come down to good planning. The more you consider these elements in advance, the more freedom you will have to make the right decisions. For one, you will want to be sure you can get a slot with your removal company on your chosen day, so don’t wait until the day before to book your house move.
Something we should get out of the way now is the importance of booking time off work as far in advance as possible. But, unfortunately, many of the best-laid moving plans have fallen foul of bosses unwilling to give time off without proper notice.
You will also want to find out where to get accurate traffic updates for your local area. Radio stations are typically a reliable source of information, though apps - such as Waze - on any smartphone or tablet can be a more reliable, up-to-date option. To be best prepared, consider planning alternative routes to your new home.
Next, consider your preparation: how long will you need to spend packing? How long will your journey take? When will your friends be available to help? Answering these questions will help you decide which day of the week is best for your move, rather than any hypothetical average moving days you may read about online.
Finally, choosing the right day to move does little good if you opt for a poorly rated-removal company to carry out your job. Generally speaking, you should shop around and collect quotes from at least five potential companies, letting them know as much about your move as possible (including a comprehensive list of what you are packing) to get accurate prices.
Ensure you pay attention to your moving company's online customer reviews and take the time to ask about their public liability insurance - and goods in transit insurance policies - to ensure your move is completely covered.
Moving house on a Monday
It might be surprising to hear that Mondays are often the second most popular day for moving house. But when you think about it, it isn't as outlandish as it first seems. Monday allows movers to finish packing over the previous weekend, which can be a massive bonus for those working full-time.
That said, finishing your move on a Monday night and then having to go to work over the next few days could make it challenging to find the time to unpack properly. As such, consider booking one or two extra days off if Monday is your choice.
Remember, your move continues well after you open the door to your new home, so consider how much time you will need to sort everything out once you arrive.
Moving home on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday
A huge advantage of moving mid-week is the availability of removal companies. These days are some of the least popular for moving house, meaning booking a slot with your chosen company is often easier. You may even get a better price, provided you leave your booking at the last minute.
Another point worth mentioning is that utility providers, banks and local authorities will not close their offices early during the week, so you should be fine informing relevant parties about your new address. While this might sound asinine, you want to remember to let them know; in a worst-case scenario, you could end up without electricity, water or gas in your new home.
If you choose to book midweek, taking Thursday and Friday off work can be a good idea. An extended weekend is a perfect opportunity to set everything up at your new home at your own pace.
Is it best to move house on a Friday?
Friday is the most popular day to move house, which can cause potential problems, such as finding a removal company with a Friday slot available or getting the time off work. But there are also some massive advantages. Most importantly, it will give you the entire weekend to unpack your belongings.
Something to note is that most banks and utility providers are closed over the weekend. In other words, if you move on a Friday but need to inform them about your address change, it could take longer for you to get everything set up.
Most importantly, if you're selling a home, your solicitor and the estate agent will be working on completing your sale. For superstitious people, it may be best to avoid moving on Friday the 13th.
Moving house on the weekend
Deciding to move house on the weekend might sound like a good idea. After all, you will already have time off work, and two whole days should be enough time to get everything packed, transported and unpacked, right?
Wrong.
Weekends are usually the least popular moving days for a good reason. For one, removal companies will usually be more expensive these days (NOBODY likes having to work on the weekend). Leaving yourself with just one day to unpack can also leave you rushed, exhausted and in no mood to head to work the next day.
Another significant disadvantage of weekend moves is that utility providers and banks will usually be closed, which could cause problems getting everything set up at your new home. It can also be expensive to hire tradespeople on the weekend if you arrive at your new home and find that something needs to be immediately repaired or replaced.
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