Moving house can be a long and stressful process. However, all house moves are different, and the time to move house can vary depending on several factors. Here at K1 Removals, we know that moving house can be an uncertain process, and we will always be flexible and accommodating for your timescale. So, how long does a house move take? In this article, we will discuss how long it takes to move house.
Average Time to Move House
The average time to move house in the UK is between 12 weeks and 6 months. One of the biggest problems in moving house is the property chain. This is the amount of houses that need to be bought and sold at the same time to ensure that you can move house. If the person who is buying your house needs a buyer for their house, and the person that you are buying from needs to buy their next house, the complexity of the process increases exponentially. Each of the property transaction will need a mortgage (probably), a house survey, and a competent conveyancing solicitor, and all the dates will need to align so that you can all complete your house sales and purchases on the same day. Property chains can easily collapse, delaying your house move further.
Moving House Timeline
Whilst it can seem daunting to move house, if you need to, or want to move house, then it is important to optimise your chances of everything going according to plan.
1. Mortgage approval
Most lenders will give you a mortgage in principle on a house, which is the amount that they are willing to lend to you. Ideally, you should know how much you can spend before you start even looking at houses. Once you have chosen your perfect property, then you can start the process of obtaining your mortgage. Ensure you have all the documents that the lenders will need so that the process isn’t delayed. Getting a mortgage now takes between 18 and 40 days, as mortgage companies have more rigorous checking criteria for mortgage applicants.
2. Finding the Right Property
Finding the ideal property can take months, or you could fall in love with the first property that you see. It is worthwhile setting out some absolutes for what you want, as well as some “nice-to-haves”. The perfect property is elusive, and generally, people will have to compromise on some of their property requirements, so be very clear about what you want. Everyone is different, and people will compromise on different things, such as location, parking, a garage, or a large garden.
3. Making an offer
Once you have an offer in principle, and you have found the house you want, then you can make an offer. Your offer is usually accepted or declined within 24 to 72 hours. If your offer is close to what the seller wants, the estate agent may advise you to increase your offer on the property.
4. Find a Conveyancing Solicitor
You will need a conveyancing solicitor to buy and sell your house for you. They will ensure that all the legalities are followed correctly and that there are no issues with the property. If you don’t have a solicitor, you could ask your estate agent for their recommendations, or ask trusted friends and family, who have recently moved house. A good conveyancing solicitor will help to make the moving process as smooth as possible. A conveyancing solicitor who is slow to respond will slow down the process.
5. Property Survey
Your property will need a survey. If you are buying with a mortgage, then this will be a requirement of the mortgage, though you may choose to have a more detailed property survey, which can be money well spent. A detailed survey will look at the structure of the house and pick up any problems that could cause you issues in the future.
6. Exchanging Contracts
The exchange of contracts will only happen once all the people in the chain are ready. It is at this point that the completion date is set, and you can begin planning for the physical house move. The exchange of contracts should happen some weeks before the completion date, though sometimes exchange and completion can be close together, which can make planning the actual move tricky.
7. Completing the Sale
Completion is when the house becomes yours, it happens on the day of the house move. It can take some hours for the completion to take place if there is a long chain. You must move out of your old property on this day and can move into your new property on the completion day. If you are not in a chain, you may be able to move in after the date of completion, for example, if you are moving out of a rented house.
8. Moving Day
Prior to moving day, you will need to pack your house. Here at K1 Removals, we can pack your house for you, though many people choose to do this for themselves. It is a good opportunity to sort and simplify your possessions. When the movers arrive to move house for you, your house needs to be packed up and ready to move. We will then transfer everything into our removal lorry, before unloading it all at your new house. Moving day can be long and tiring, and it may be advisable to ensure that all children or pets are safely looked after for the day of the move. The size of the house and the distance between your old and new house will affect how long it takes to move house.
How Long Does it Take to Move into a House with No Chain?
Technically, if you are a cash buyer with no chain and don’t get a survey, it could be done in a matter of days. However, caution would suggest that it is always wise to get a survey, and even waiting for searches to be returned from the Land Registry, local authorities, and other relevant bodies can take weeks. However, moving house without a chain is vastly simpler than being in a chain, where you are at the whim of other people’s problems and decisions.
Factors That Affect How Long it Takes to Move House in the UK
The biggest factor is the length of the property chain. The longer the property chain, the more potential for problems. If you are selling your house, and you have several interested buyers, it may be worth considering choosing one who is not in a chain, in order to simplify the house moving process. Your estate agent should ask about the position of any potential house buyers. Equally, when you are looking at houses to buy, ask the agent about the upward chain. If there is any time pressure on your move, if you are starting a new job for example, it may be worth focusing on houses with a shorter upward chain, to optimise your chances of a swift house move.
Need Help with Moving?
If you are planning a house move, speak to the team here at K1 Removals. We are experienced and professional and are here to help make your house move as seamless as possible. Always speak to us as early as possible in the process, you don’t need to wait until you have a concrete moving date. We appreciate that the completion date can move around, but having an idea of the time frame can help us to plan your house move. We will always aim to be as flexible as possible, to accommodate any last-minute changes to your moving day. Get ready to enjoy your new house, and speak to the team at K1 Removals today on 0330 103 0041
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