When is the best time to move house in the UK?

Based on 2025 URemovals booking data · Free, no account required · By Sandor Bundsag, Co-founder, URemovals

Timing your move correctly can make a significant difference to what you pay. February is consistently the cheapest month for removals across the UK, while August is the most expensive. Weekend bookings cost up to 40% more than mid-week, and end-of-month slots add a further 20% due to rental contract turnovers. Select your city and move type below to see demand by week and which months to avoid. For a full breakdown of what you're likely to pay, see our man and van price guide or use the van size calculator if you're not sure what size van you need.

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Fill in your details and tap “Show best times” to see the demand heatmap, price windows, and money-saving tips.

Demand and pricing patterns are based on URemovals 2025 booking data across the UK. Weekend and peak-month premiums reflect averages across our network of providers and will vary by location and availability.

About the Best Time to Move Tool

What is the cheapest month to move house in the UK?

February is consistently the cheapest month for removals across the UK based on URemovals booking data. Demand falls sharply after January and does not recover until spring. November and early December are also significantly below the annual average. The most expensive months are July, August, and September, when summer relocations, school-year changes, and student moves all coincide. August alone accounts for a disproportionate share of total annual bookings in most UK cities.

How much cheaper is it to move mid-week?

Mid-week bookings on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are typically 20 to 40% cheaper than Saturday. Saturday is the single most requested day in almost every UK city, partly because of work schedules and partly because tenancy agreements frequently require access during office hours on the last day of the month. A Thursday or Friday move often gives the same practical convenience as a Saturday at a noticeably lower price.

Why are end-of-month moves more expensive?

The majority of assured shorthold tenancy agreements in the UK run from the first of the month, meaning keys are handed over and new tenancies begin around the same time. This creates concentrated demand on the final 3 to 4 days of each month. Removal companies can charge more when availability is limited. Moving on the 15th to 20th of the month avoids this entirely and tends to attract better availability and faster response times from providers.

Does the best time to move vary by city?

Yes. University cities including Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Bristol have pronounced demand spikes in September when students arrive and in June and July when they leave. These spikes are local and often do not align with the national peak in August. London has broadly higher demand throughout the year with less seasonal variation than other cities, while smaller regional cities tend to have sharper peaks and quieter off-season periods.

When should I avoid booking a removal?

The periods to avoid if price is a concern are: the last 3 to 4 days of any month, all Saturdays, August as a whole, Easter weekend, and the period immediately before and after school summer holidays start. If your move date is flexible by even a few days, shifting from the 31st to the 15th or from a Saturday to a Thursday can make a material difference to what you pay.

Sandor Bundsag, Co-founder, URemovals
Sandor ran a man and van service in Hampshire with his uncle Robert before co-founding URemovals. He handles provider relations and has a direct view of how demand and pricing shift across regions and seasons.