GoodMove’s Stress-Free Guide to Moving House This Summer

Are you planning on moving house this summer?

Moving house in summer sounds idyllic, with longer days, brighter skies, and the convenience of school holidays, making it an appealing time for families to relocate.

However, with these advantages comes the reality of peak-season demand, where removal companies, estate agents, and conveyancers are often booked months in advance.

Without careful planning, securing your preferred moving date can quickly become a challenge.

That’s where expert support becomes invaluable.

At GoodMove, we’ve been helping families and businesses relocate for over 3 decades.

With our experience and tailored services, we know exactly how to make your summer move smooth, efficient, and professionally handled.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know for a seamless summer relocation.

Why Summer Moves Are So Popular

Summer remains the most sought-after season for home moves, and it’s easy to see why.

Firstly, the weather plays a significant role.

Longer daylight hours and generally drier conditions make packing, loading, and transporting belongings far more practical, reducing the likelihood of weather-related delays.

Secondly, the long school holidays provide families with a convenient opportunity to relocate without disrupting their children’s education.

Children can complete one school year and begin anew in a new one, easing the transition both socially and academically.

Lastly, many property sales are timed to complete during the summer months.

Buyers, sellers, solicitors, and estate agents often coordinate to finalise transactions during this period, taking advantage of annual leave to manage the process more smoothly.

All these factors combine to make summer the busiest — and most desirable — time to move.

Easing Your Child into a New School

Starting a new school is incredibly stressful for most children, and by default, the same applies to parents.

Taking the time to ease your child into a new school, regardless of the stage of education, will alleviate a lot of stress for everyone.

Enrolling your child partway through the school year can be more challenging, as many children have already formed established friendship groups, making it harder for newcomers to integrate.

In contrast, the start of a new school year often sees an influx of new pupils and reshuffled classes, creating a more natural opportunity for children to make friends and settle in more easily.

Netmums has a helpful guide to easing the transition into a new school, covering children from primary school through to secondary education.

Secure Your Removal Company Early

Because summer slots fill up quickly, one of the smartest steps you can take is to secure your chosen removal company well in advance.

Many reputable firms like GoodMove offer flexible scheduling if you contact them early enough.

Waiting too long may leave you scrambling for availability, facing premium rates, or having to arrange storage until you have completed on your new property.

A good rule of thumb is to secure your booking at least 8–12 weeks before your desired moving date.

Early booking also allows time for a professional pre-move survey, which ensures the right team, vehicle size, and equipment are assigned to your move.

You can learn more about our bespoke removal services at GoodMove.

The Benefits of a Midweek Move

If your schedule allows, consider opting for a midweek move.

Fridays and weekends are often the first to be booked up during summer due to school schedules and work commitments.

It may not be ideal, but moving midweek, typically Tuesday or Wednesday, not only improves availability but can also reduce costs, as some removal firms offer more competitive rates for these slots.

Additionally, you’ll often avoid the heavy traffic common at weekends, especially during the holiday season when many families are heading away.

Planning midweek also provides a buffer in case of any last-minute delays, ensuring that utilities, banks, or solicitors remain available if you need to make urgent arrangements.

Don’t Underestimate the Heat: Stay Cool and Safe

While British summers may not rival Mediterranean temperatures, recent years have brought several heatwaves to the UK.

Moving house is physically demanding even on the mildest days. In higher temperatures, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and fatigue become real risks, especially when lifting and carrying heavy boxes.

Make sure everyone involved stays hydrated throughout the move and takes regular breaks in shaded areas.

Pack an essentials box with cold drinks, snacks, sunscreen, and personal cooling items, such as handheld fans or cold packs.

If temperatures soar unexpectedly, you can stay up to date with the latest weather forecasts via the Met Office.

Childcare and Pets: Plan Ahead for a Smoother Day

Children and pets often find the upheaval of moving unsettling.

On moving day, having them safely cared for elsewhere can make the whole experience more manageable.

Consider arranging for family, friends, or professional childcare to keep little ones entertained and out of the way while you handle the heavy lifting.

Similarly, book a pet sitter or a reputable boarding kennel to prevent pets from becoming anxious or escaping through open doors.

Organisations like the National Association of Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers can help you find trusted local care providers.

You can then fully concentrate on the move without the worry of children or pets getting in the way, or worse, getting hurt.

Declutter Before You Pack

Summer moves are the perfect opportunity to declutter your home and lighten your load.

The less you have to transport, the quicker and cheaper your move becomes.

Go room by room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or recycle.

Charity organisations such as the British Heart Foundation welcome donations of furniture, clothing, and household items, often offering collection services to make it even easier.

Online platforms like Freecycle and Gumtree are also great for quickly rehoming unwanted items.

Consider Storage for Flexible Timing

Sometimes your moving dates don’t align perfectly — your new home may not be ready, or renovations might delay your move-in date.

In such cases, short-term storage can be a practical solution.

Professional storage facilities offer secure, climate-controlled environments to keep your belongings safe until you’re ready to settle in.

GoodMove provides convenient storage options across the UK, which can be tailored to your exact requirements, and you can access your belongings at any time.

We can also supply packing materials including boxes, bubble-wrap, wrapping paper, tape and more to ensure all your belongings are stored safely, securely and remain dry.

Making Your Summer Move a Smooth Success

Moving house this summer offers numerous advantages, from better weather to school holiday flexibility, but it also presents its own set of challenges.

We hope our article has provided you with some valuable strategies to ensure your summer move is smooth, efficient, and even enjoyable.

Whether you’re relocating across town or heading to the other end of the country, GoodMove is here to guide you every step of the way.

With over 3 decades of experience in removals and a team of trusted professionals, we take the stress out of moving so you can focus on settling into your new home.

Ready to get started? Click here to request your free moving quote today.

Alternatively, you can interact with ‘Brad’, our AI removals assistant, in the bottom right corner of this page to start planning your move.