One of the most common questions buyers and sellers ask is when to book removals. Book too early and your date may change. Book too late and the best dates, especially Fridays and month ends, may already be taken. The answer depends on where you are in the buying and selling process, so it helps to understand the difference between exchange and completion first.
This guide applies to property sales in England and Wales. The process in Scotland works differently.
Exchange and Completion Explained
Exchange of contracts is the point at which the sale becomes legally binding. Before exchange, either side can usually pull out. At exchange, the completion date is normally agreed and written into the contract.
Completion is the day the money moves, ownership transfers and the keys are released. It is your moving day. Completion often happens around the middle of the day, but delays in a chain can push it later.
| Stage | What It Means for Your Move |
| Offer accepted | Start planning, get surveys and quotes |
| Before exchange | Dates are provisional and may change |
| Exchange of contracts | Completion date is fixed in the contract |
| Completion | Moving day: keys are released and you move in |
The Gap Between Exchange and Completion
The time between exchange and completion varies. It is often a week or two, but it can be longer, and sometimes exchange and completion happen on the same day. A short gap leaves very little time to book a removal company, which is why planning ahead matters.
So When Should You Book?
The most practical approach for most people is a two-step plan:
- Once your offer is accepted: contact removal companies, arrange a survey and get a written quote. Tell them your likely moving window.
- As your solicitor gives you a target date: ask the removal company to pencil in that date provisionally, and ask how they handle changes.
- When contracts are exchanged: confirm the date with your removal company straight away.
This way, your mover already knows your home and your needs, and confirming the final date is quick, even if the gap between exchange and completion is short. It also gives you time to arrange packing, parking and any storage without a last-minute rush.
If You Are in a Property Chain
In a chain, every sale depends on the others, so one delay can move everyone’s dates. Exchange may happen later than expected, and completion can slip on the day if money is slow to move between solicitors. Keep in close contact with your solicitor and estate agent, ask how the chain is progressing each week, and let your removal company know as soon as anything changes. The earlier your mover knows, the more options they can offer.
Planning Your Packing Around Exchange
You do not need to wait for exchange to start packing. In the weeks before, pack items you will not need for a while, such as books, out-of-season clothes, decorations and the contents of the loft. Keep everyday items accessible until the date is confirmed. That way you are ready to move quickly once contracts are exchanged, without living out of boxes for weeks if the date slips.
If You Are Renting
Tenants usually know their dates further in advance, because tenancy start and end dates are agreed in writing. You can book your removal as soon as both dates are confirmed. If your old tenancy ends before the new one starts, ask about short-term storage to bridge the gap.
Busy Dates Book Up First
Completions tend to cluster on Fridays and at the end of the month, and school holidays are busy too. If your date falls at one of these times, start talking to removal companies early. If you have flexibility, a midweek completion often means a wider choice of dates and quieter roads. It is worth raising this with your solicitor early, as the completion date is usually agreed between all parties in the chain before exchange.
Questions to Ask When You Book
- Can you hold a provisional date until we exchange?
- How much notice do you need to confirm or change a date?
- What happens if completion is delayed on the day itself?
- Can you store our belongings if completion moves after we have left our old home?
Read our guide to what happens on completion day to see how the day itself usually unfolds.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I book removals before exchange?
You can arrange a survey and a provisional date before exchange, then confirm once contracts are exchanged and the completion date is fixed.
2. How far in advance should I book a removal company?
Contact companies as soon as your offer is accepted, and confirm the date immediately after exchange. Busy dates may need more notice.
3. What if exchange and completion happen on the same day?
It is possible, but it leaves no time to book after exchange. Having a provisional booking in place helps.
4. What if my completion date changes?
Tell your removal company straight away. If you have already left your home, short-term storage can hold your belongings.
5. Does this apply in Scotland?
No. The buying and selling process in Scotland is different, so check timings with your solicitor.
Book Your Move With Shaheen Express Removals
Shaheen Express Removals has been helping buyers, sellers and tenants across St Albans, Hertfordshire, Luton and London move for more than 20 years. We understand how completion dates work and how often they change, and we offer packing and secure storage when dates do not line up. Our fully insured, DBS-checked team is rated 5.0 from 444 Google reviews. Ready to plan ahead? Book your house removal survey with us as soon as your offer is accepted. Call +44 7903 494502 or email shaheenexpressremovals@gmail.com to talk through your move.