"Moving on the busiest day of the year means there will be more competition for removal services, so make sure you’re well prepared and that everyone in the chain knows you’re aiming for that date"
- Rob Houghton - reallymoving
Friday 29 August is expected to be the most popular day to move home in 2025, with an estimated 22,386 households relocating—four times more than the daily average. The date marks the busiest moving day of the year, based on new data from HomeOwners Alliance and reallymoving, and is set to place significant pressure on removal companies across the country.
Analysis of more than 700,000 removal quotes by HomeOwners Alliance reveals that August has consistently ranked as the most popular month to move home for the past 13 years. In contrast, January and February remain the least favoured months.
More than a quarter of households (29%) choose to move on a Friday, while Sunday is the quietest day of the week for moving, accounting for just 5% of home moves.
According to the HomeOwners Alliance, there are around 2.1 million house moves in the UK annually, averaging close to 6,000 per day. However, Friday, 29 August will significantly exceed this figure, with projections pointing to over 22,000 moves.
Busy moving days bring added risks, particularly in terms of delays. A recent survey of removal firms found that 85% report more frequent delays when demand is high. Among the main causes of disruption are:
Delays in the transfer of funds by conveyancers or banking systems on completion day (88%)
Late release of keys by estate agents or sellers (69%)
Hold-ups elsewhere in the property chain causing a knock-on effect (67%)
Sellers not vacating the property on time (41%)
Clients not being fully packed and ready to move (14%)
“Friday 29th August will be the year’s busiest moving day—but that also means the most stressful,” said Paula Higgins, chief executive of the HomeOwners Alliance. “If you can, avoid the rush. Moving midweek or outside peak season can save you money and hassle. If you must move on a busy day, confirm your removals firm early and have a backup plan in case of delays.”
Rob Houghton, chief executive of reallymoving, explained: “Moving on the busiest day of the year means there will be more competition for removal services, so make sure you’re well prepared and that everyone in the chain knows you’re aiming for that date. Ask the removals company to visit your home to assess how much you need to move, or as a minimum, do a detailed video survey over WhatsApp or FaceTime to make sure you get the right size van and team on the day.”
To reduce the risk of delays on moving day, households are advised to:
Avoid peak days if possible, as quieter days tend to be cheaper and come with fewer risks of disruption.
Book a removal firm as early as possible, ideally right after exchanging contracts, especially during the August holiday season.
Have a backup plan in case delays occur, particularly if involved in a long property chain.
Contact solicitors early on the day of completion to ensure timely fund transfers and priority handling.
Additional guidance, including cost comparisons and tips on choosing the right removals company, can be found through HomeOwners Alliance’s moving resources.
Ian Studd, director general of the British Association of Removers, noted: “For a smooth move, especially on the busiest day of the year, get a contract in place with your removal firm. This should include a survey and a clear move plan outlining what happens when, and the responsibilities of both you and the mover. A successful move depends on everyone doing their part.”
