Published on 05/08/20222 & Updated on 16/01/2026.
Whether you’re planning well in advance or facing a tight deadline, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is, “How long does it take to move house?”
The answer depends on a variety of factors, from how far you’re going to, to how prepared you are, but the right planning and a professional removals team will speed up the process massively.
In this blog, we’ll explore how quickly you can move house, the issues homeowners face, and how to make the process go more quickly.
How Quickly Can You Move House?
The entire process from the time your removals team arrives to being fully moved in at your new home can take between 4 and 16 hours.
This time will vary depending on how far you are moving, how many items you need to move, pack, and transport, the size and layout of both properties, and whether any specialist handling is required, such as for antiques, pianos, or large furniture.
Issues Homeowners May Face When Moving House
Before we take a closer look at how to make the house-moving process quicker, it’s worth considering a few issues that may arise when moving house:
Something Won’t Go as Planned
Although this can sound a little pessimistic, moving house involves many people, including solicitors, estate agents, neighbours, removal teams, and storage teams. The chances of something not quite going to plan are high.
The solution, however, is simple: give yourself plenty of time. Our recommendation is to add 50% on to the time you think a task will take. So, for example, if loading into the van should take 2 hours, then give yourself 3 hours in the day’s schedule to complete. This allows time for something to go wrong and a solution to be found, and allows you some time to take a break and de-stress if you have time to spare.
Moving on the Day of Completion
If you’re moving on the day of completion, which is the last step in house buying and selling, the process is incredibly time-sensitive because you need to be fully out of your old home by 1 pm.
If you’re moving house on the day of completion, time is of the essence, so we recommend hiring a professional removals team to reduce your anxiety.
There have been past events when families were not prepared, and the new residents will literally be waiting outside the home with their removals team. This can be extremely stressful and should be avoided at all costs.
An Experienced Removals Team Will Make all the Difference
Professional removals teams are experienced and trained in planning and executing a move before 1pm.
It’s something an experienced team will have done thousands of times before, so to remove the anxiety of moving on the day of completion, we highly recommend hiring a highly reviewed removals company. Enquire about our removals and storage services.
How to Move House Quickly
The goal is to combine as many of the following tips as possible and that are relevant to your house moving scenario. Essentially, all the moving house quicker tips below revolve around preparation, and completing enough packing and preparation prior to moving day itself.
5 easy ways to move house quicker include:
1. Pack Before Moving Day
Not only will packing before moving day reduce the time it takes to move house by up to 5 hours, but it also provides a whole host of additional benefits when moving house, including:
- Reduces stress on moving day
- An opportunity to clear out old and unwanted belongings
- Allows you to organise boxes by rooms, saving even more time.
Packing before moving house can be a daunting task, so start by planning each room for a day of its own in the lead-up. This will make the whole process a lot more manageable. Ensure you start with the room or items you use the least first, such as a spare bathroom or study.
2. Avoid Small Items
This ultimately comes down to boxes. Avoid at all costs packing belongings into small boxes; ensure you use large boxes that can carry items in bulk. A professional removal team will deliver boxes before moving day and know exactly how to safely move and store large items.
Avoid using brittle or overused boxes. Instead, use the large boxes provided by your removals team so that you can carry your items in bulk.
For example, it could take a removal team three trips from house to van to move six shoe boxes. Packing the contents of those six shoe boxes into one large box already reduces the time to move them by three times, turning an hour into 20 minutes.
3. Dismantle Large Furniture
It’s worth mentioning that a professional removals team will be prepared to move any size of object, so do not panic if you have a particularly old or delicate piece of furniture that does not dismantle; it can still be moved to your new home.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re unable to dismantle a piece of furniture yourself, a professional removals firm can do it for you. This will be recognised and included during the quotation stage.
Common large furniture which will dismantle usually includes:
- Beds
- Tables
- Sofas
- Desks
- Wardrobes
Finally, there will be small screws and parts which can be easily lost whilst moving house. Make sure you pack these small pieces into a Tupperware container or small bag and place it near or tape it to the associated piece of furniture.
4. Make Space for Vans
A professional removals team will call ahead of their arrival, usually around 30 minutes beforehand. This is your window to ensure your driveway or street-side parking is clear so the van can be parked as close to the property as possible. Doing so can save hours when moving house.
Don’t Forget to Warn the Neighbours
Particularly if you live in a quite tightly packed estate, giving your neighbours a day or two’s warning prior to your moving day not only ensures they won’t cause any obstructions but also offers an opportunity to say goodbye and exchange contact details if needed.
5. Get Those Keys
The most common issue on moving day is getting access to keys. And this is an easy trap to fall into because your mind will quite rightly be focused on your belongings, your family and your pets.
However, with completion time at 1 pm and most solicitors on lunch break from that time, it’s absolutely essential that you call your solicitor regularly in the morning and keep them updated on your progress. Our advice is to make your first call at 10 am to ensure they’re aware of your plan.
Your solicitors will want to provide good customer service, so don’t be afraid to be persistent and ask them for a plan to get your keys.
Don’t be shy or worry that you’re bothering your solicitor. It’s your moving day, and chances are you’re paying them a great sum of money, so be persistent and ask them for a plan to get the keys to your next home. Your moving day will be all the quicker as a result.
How Falconer Removals Can Help
In conclusion, how quickly you can move house and make the process quicker is all about preparation, both mentally and physically. Pack well before the moving date and ensure all external parties, such as neighbours and solicitors, are on board. Follow the steps above, and your moving day will be as quick as you need it to be.
At Falconer Removals, we use meticulous moving techniques, passed down and perfected over 132 years, to ensure your goods are moved with expert precision and remain in perfect condition. To learn more, enquire about our removals and storage services.
For more expert advice on how to pack, move and store your belongings, or other FAQs on how removals work, check out our blog page.
