How Long Does Moving House Take? Realistic timelines for every stage of your house move
"How long will the move take?" is one of the most frequently asked questions we get. The answer depends on many factors — the size of your home, how much you've packed in advance, the distance, and the access at both properties. This guide gives you realistic timelines for every stage of the moving process, based on our years of experience moving homes across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall.
How Long Does Moving Day Take? For a local Plymouth move, the actual moving day typically takes between 4 and 8 hours depending on property size. A one-bedroom flat can often be done in 2-3 hours. A two to three-bedroom house usually takes 4-6 hours. Larger four or five-bedroom properties may take a full day or even stretch into two days for very large homes. These times include loading at the old property, transit, and unloading at the new one.
Factors That Affect Moving Day Duration Several things can speed up or slow down your move. How much is packed and ready to go when the team arrives is the biggest factor — loose items take much longer to handle than neatly packed boxes. Access at both properties matters: ground-floor flats with close parking are faster than third-floor flats with street parking only. The distance between properties adds transit time. Disassembly and reassembly of furniture adds time too. Weather can also be a factor — rain means more care is needed to protect belongings.
How Long Does Packing Take? If you're packing yourself, allow more time than you think. A one-bedroom flat takes 1-2 days to pack thoroughly. A two to three-bedroom house typically takes 3-5 days. Larger homes can take a full week. These assume you're packing for a few hours each day alongside normal life. Our professional packing team can pack a three-bedroom house in about half a day, which gives you an idea of how much faster experienced packers work.
The Full Moving Timeline The complete process from deciding to move to being settled in your new home usually spans 8-12 weeks. Weeks 1-2: Research and book a removal company, start decluttering. Weeks 3-4: Begin packing non-essential items, notify organisations of your address change. Weeks 5-6: Pack most of your belongings, arrange utilities. Week 7: Final packing, confirm arrangements. Week 8: Moving day. Weeks 9-12: Unpacking, settling in, and getting to know your new area. Of course, this timeline can be compressed if needed — we regularly handle moves with just a week or two of notice.
How to Speed Up Your Move The most effective way to speed up moving day is to have everything packed, labelled, and ready when the team arrives. Disassemble flat-pack furniture in advance. Clear pathways and remove any obstacles. Have a plan for where items go at the new property. Park as close to both properties as possible. Small things make a big difference: leaving items in drawers (if lightweight), having beds stripped, and keeping essentials separate so the team can focus on loading.
Long-Distance Moves If you're moving from Plymouth to another part of the UK, the transit time adds to the overall duration. Plymouth to Exeter is about an hour each way. Plymouth to Bristol is around two hours. Plymouth to London is roughly four hours. For long-distance moves, we typically load on one day and deliver the next, though same-day delivery is possible for closer destinations. We'll discuss the best approach during your survey.
What About Settling In? Most families are functional in their new home within 2-3 days of moving in. Unpacking essentials — kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms — is usually done on the first day. The rest can be unpacked over the following days and weeks at your own pace. Don't feel pressure to have everything perfect immediately. Focus on the rooms you use most and tackle the rest when you're ready.
Frequently Asked Questions How long does a 3-bedroom house move take? A typical three-bedroom house move in Plymouth takes 5-7 hours on moving day, including loading, transit, and unloading. This assumes most items are packed and ready. Add time for packing if the team is doing it.
How long should I book off work for moving? We recommend booking at least two days off — moving day itself and the day after for unpacking essentials and handling any admin. If possible, an extra day either side gives you breathing room.
Can you do a house move in one day? Yes, most local moves are completed in a single day. Even many long-distance moves can be done in one day depending on distance and volume. We'll confirm the expected timeline when we provide your quote.
What time do removal teams usually start? We typically start between 8am and 9am, though we can accommodate earlier or later starts if needed. Starting early gives the most time to complete the move comfortably.
How long does it take to unpack after moving? Most people unpack essentials in the first 1-2 days and are fully unpacked within 1-2 weeks. There's no rush — focus on the rooms you need most first and work through the rest at your own pace.
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