When it comes to moving house, there is a lot to consider and organise.
There are many steps in the conveyancing process that can be confusing, regardless of whether you’re a first-time buyer or not
A common question we often get asked is when to book a removal company.
In this guide, we’ll cover some important information on moving house, including when to book a removal company, certain parts of the conveyancing process, and more
Let’s get started.
When Should You Book A Removal Company?
The answer to this question differs depending on the removal company in question.
That said, at Falconer Removals, we don’t take bookings for house removals until you’ve exchanged.
This comes down to the fact that before you exchange, the likelihood of the sale being delayed or falling through is higher.
If you book before you’ve exchanged and before everything is in place with the sale and purchase of your house, then our cancellation charges will apply.
Find out more about our removals service here.
What Is The Date Of Exchange When Buying a House?
The exchange date is when the buyer and seller become legally obligated to complete the property sale.
Neither can withdraw following this date without experiencing financial penalties.
Your conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor will advise you when you are ready to exchange.
Before you exchange, everyone in your chain needs to agree on a completion date, also known as a moving date.
How Long Does It Take To Exchange On A House?
This depends. That said, it generally takes about 8 to 12 weeks to reach the point where you’re ready to exchange contracts.
The time it takes to go from exchange to completion is generally decided by the buyer and the seller, although this can be impacted by other parties in the chain.
For instance, if the seller is waiting for the purchase of a new house to go through before moving out, this can hold the process up.
At Falconer Removals, we don’t take bookings for house removals until you’ve exchanged.
How To Book A Removal Company
Booking a removal company can be boiled down to a few helpful steps.
They include, but are not limited to:
- Get quotes
- Consider packing and storage services
- Exchange
- Book and secure your removal company
- Complete
- Pack and move into your new home
1. Get Quotes
Before booking your removal company, it’s important to do your research and get a few quotes.
This will help you to compare prices and find the best removals service that’s within your moving budget.
2. Consider Packing & Storage Services
Beyond removal services, it’s important to consider whether you’ll need packing and storage services.
Depending on your personal circumstances, you might find opting for a packing service more convenient, especially if you’re moving house with children.
What’s more, if you’re looking to store some of your belongings in the short or long term to ease the moving process, you’ll want to consider storage services, too.
3. Exchange
The conveyancing process generally takes 12 to 16 weeks, so waiting on contracts can take time.
That said, once your exchange date rolls around, the contracts will be signed and the buyer will pay their deposit.
The respective conveyancers will exchange contracts, and then a completion day will be decided.
4. Book & Secure Your Removal Company
Once you’ve exchanged, it’s time to book and secure your removal company.
At Falconer Removals, we don’t take bookings until you’ve exchanged, to avoid you losing your deposit should something happen or if the sale falls through.
That said, our house removals are typically booked between 7 and 14 days before your expected move is to take place.
Get in touch with our team today to get a quote and to book your house move.
Once you’ve exchanged, it’s time to book and secure your removal company.
5. Complete
On completion day, the buyer’s conveyancer will send the purchase money to the seller’s conveyancing solicitor or conveyancer.
From here, the seller’s conveyancer will release the money for the sale to the vendors.
Alternatively, if the seller is buying another property, the money will be sent to the next buyer’s conveyancer within the chain.
The seller’s conveyancer then confirms that the keys can be released, and you’re all set for moving day.
6. Pack & Move Into Your New Home
Lastly, all that is left to do is to pack and move house!
If you’ve gone with a professional packing service, all you need to do is sit back and allow the experts to work their magic.
With the right removals team on board, your move will be taken care of with the utmost care from start to finish.
Professional packing services can be highly convenient for people with busier lifestyles.
How We Can Help
If you’re moving house soon, look no further than Falconer Removals.
We use meticulous moving techniques, passed down and perfected through generations for over 130 years, to ensure your goods are moved with expert precision and kept in perfect condition. Get a quote from our team today.
For more expert advice on how to pack, unpack, move and store your belongings — or other FAQs on how removals work — check out our blog page.
Written by Jemima for Falconer Removals.
