Moving house can feel overwhelming, but understanding the typical timeline and planning accordingly can make it much smoother. Whether you’re renting a new property or buying your own home, the time it takes to move depends on several factors, including the size of your home, the distance of the move, and whether you’re handling everything yourself or hiring professional movers. In this guide, we’ll explore how long each step of the process takes and provide helpful tips to ensure your relocation goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Packing: The First Step in Your Moving Timeline
Packing is the first major step in any move, and the time it takes can vary significantly depending on your home’s size, the amount of stuff you have, and how organised you are.
Small Homes or Apartments (1-2 bedrooms): For a smaller space, packing can usually take 2–4 days.
Medium-Sized Homes (3 bedrooms): Packing will likely take 4–7 days. Start with items you don’t use daily.
Larger Homes (4+ bedrooms): Expect packing to take 7–10 days or more.
Tip: Start packing at least 2 weeks before your moving date to allow enough time. You might find our essential packing tips for moving home and organising your moving supplies helpful for this phase.
2. How Long Does Moving Day Take?
The big day is finally here! Whether you’re renting or buying, moving day is often a full-day affair.
Small Moves: 4–6 hours
Larger Moves: 8–12 hours or more, depending on distance and volume
Tip: Make sure everything is ready before the movers arrive. For a smoother experience, read our top tips to help moving day go smoothly.
3. Unpacking: How Long Does It Take to Settle Into Your New Home?
Unpacking is often overlooked but equally important.
Small Homes: 2–3 days to get essentials in place
Medium to Large Homes: 1–2 weeks or more
Tip: Focus on priority rooms first. You can find unpacking strategies in our guide on how to unpack after moving house.
4. Renting vs. Buying: How Does It Affect Your Move?
Whether you’re renting or buying will impact the timeline.
Renting: Usually quicker, with fewer legal steps. Check this guide if you’re transitioning from renting to buying.
Buying: Involves inspections, mortgages, and often delays. Read more on things to do when buying a house.
Tip: Align your plans with lease or closing dates. If you’re buying for the first time, our moving home checklist is an excellent place to start.
5. How Long Does a Long-Distance Move Take?
Long-distance moves are more complex and time-consuming.
Travel Time: 1 day to a week (or longer for international moves)
Packing & Unpacking: Similar to local moves, but with added logistics
Tip: Consider a professional team for long hauls. Learn how to prepare for a move abroad or what to put in storage.
6. Factors That Can Affect Moving Time
Weather: Check our guide on moving in bad weather
Professional Movers: Hiring the right team is crucial – here’s how to choose a good removal company
Size of the Move: More items = more time. Try our decluttering challenge before you start
Traffic & Distance: Long-distance moves need special planning
How to Plan Your Move for Success
The time it takes to move house can vary depending on several factors, but with the right planning, it can be much smoother. Whether you’re renting or buying, our 10-step guide to moving offers a structured way to stay on top of every phase of your move.
Start early, stay organised, and don’t forget to ask the right questions before moving day. A little preparation goes a long way toward making your move stress-free.