Moving House: Timelines, What’s Involved & How to Plan Ahead
Moving home is a big life event. Whether you’re moving within Bristol, relocating across North Somerset, or heading further afield, understanding the process makes a huge difference to how smooth and stress-free your move will be.
At Yeates Removals, we help local families move every week. In this guide, we explain how long moving house typically takes, what happens during the legal process, when to contact a removals company, and what you can do to keep everything running smoothly.
How Long Does Moving House Take?
Once an offer is accepted on your property, the conveyancing process begins. This is the legal work that must be completed before contracts can be exchanged and a completion date agreed.
Across England, industry guidance suggests that the period from offer accepted to legal completion typically takes around 12 to 16 weeks in straightforward cases, although more complex transactions and longer chains can extend this to several months.
Rightmove has reported that the average time from sale agreed to completion is around 154 to 163 days (just over five months) in many parts of England, reflecting the reality that delays and chains are common in today’s market.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Offer Accepted?
Before conveyancing even starts, there is the period spent marketing your property and finding a buyer. This stage varies widely depending on price, presentation, demand and location.
According to Rightmove, the average time to find a buyer and agree an offer is currently around 60 to 65 days (about two months) across much of England, although some properties sell more quickly and others take longer.
This means that, from first going on the market to finally completing your move, the full journey for many sellers is often six months or more, and sometimes longer if there are delays in the chain.
When Should You Contact a Removals Company?
As soon as you have a likely completion window, it is sensible to speak to a professional removal company.
Early contact allows you to check availability, discuss packing options and plan access, parking and timing for your move.
What You Can Do Early to Speed Up Your Move
Good preparation helps prevent delays during conveyancing. Before your solicitor asks for them, try to gather:
- Proof of identity (passport or driving licence)
- Title deeds or Land Registry documents
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Planning permissions and building regulation certificates
Make sure that you complete all documentation and information, such as the forms below, as soon as possible after they are sent you by your solicitor.
- Property Information Form (TA6)
- Fittings and Contents Form (TA10)
Local Moves in Bristol and North Somerset
Here at Yeates Removals we specialise in local moves across Bristol, Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding areas. Local knowledge helps us plan routes, access and timing carefully, making your move as efficient as possible.
Why Choose Yeates Removals?
With decades of experience moving families across Bristol and North Somerset, Yeates Removals combines professional planning with friendly, personal service.
We help you:
- Plan your move around your completion date
- Protect your belongings with professional packing
- Manage access, parking and logistics on moving day
- Take care of any storage you need before, during or after your move
- Feel organised and as calm as possible thanks to our professional and trustworthy team.If you’re planning a move, speak to our team early and let us help you make it a smooth experience.Contact us on 01934 9005252 or 01275 872251 or email info@yeates.co,.uk or visit yeates.co.uk
Sources: Rightmove Market Data, HomeOwners Alliance.
