Buying and Moving House: How Long Does It All Take?

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving up the property ladder, one of the biggest questions you’ll ask yourself is: how long is this actually going to take?

You might be dreaming of your new home already – imagining furniture layouts, choosing colour schemes, maybe even mentally mapping out your new commute. But before any of that happens, there’s a whole process that needs to unfold. And if you’re not prepared, it can take longer than you think.

At Saint Removals, we’ve seen it all – the lightning-fast completions, the delayed chain dramas, the clients who moved in a day, and those who took two months just to get started. So, we’ve put together this no-nonsense guide to walk you through how long the entire house buying and moving process usually takes in the UK.

How Long Does It Take to Buy a House in the UK?

On average, buying a house in the UK takes between 12 and 16 weeks from offer to completion. But – this is a – big but – that’s only the middle part of the journey. The full timeline often starts well before you make an offer and ends long after you’ve got the keys in your hand.

Of course, every stage comes with its own exceptions and curveballs – but generally speaking, here’s how long each step tends to take.

Step 1: Getting a Mortgage (2–6 weeks)

Before you even start house hunting, you’ll need to get your finances in order. If you don't have the funds to buy your house in full (which most people don't), then you will need to:

• Save your deposit

• Check your credit score

• Get a mortgage agreement in principle (AIP)

The AIP stage itself is fairly quick – usually just a few days – but if you need to work on your credit score, save more, or shop around for lenders, this part can take a few months or more. If you’re a cash buyer, lucky you, you can skip this part entirely.

Step 2: House Hunting (1 week to 6+ months)

House hunting is where the timeline can really vary. Some buyers find their dream home on the first viewing. Others take months trawling through listings, attending viewings and waiting for the right place to come up.

Plus, just because you find your ideal home early on, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be accepted on the first house you make an offer on. You may be outbidden, or the seller may simply choose someone else.

Don’t rush it. This is likely the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so take the time to get it right. Be ready to act quickly once you’ve found the one, perfect properties don’t stay on the market long.

Step 3: Making an Offer and Having It Accepted (1 day – 1 week)

Once you’ve found a property you love, it’s time to make your offer. This part can be surprisingly quick – especially if your seller is keen. But be prepared for some back-and-forth, especially if there’s competition.

Step 4: Conveyancing and Surveys (8–12 weeks)

Here’s where the process slows down a bit – the legal bit.

You’ll appoint a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal side of things. Meanwhile, your lender (if you have one) will instruct a valuation, and you may also choose to book a homebuyer’s report or full structural survey.

Conveyancing can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks, and that’s if everything goes smoothly. If there’s a long chain, issues with the title, or delays from other parties, it can take longer. It’s often this stage that catches people out – don’t assume it’ll be done in a couple of weeks.

Step 5: Mortgage Finalisation (2–4 weeks)

If you’re using a mortgage to buy your home, your lender will carry out various checks and assessments before issuing your formal mortgage offer. You’ll need to provide a fair bit of paperwork here – payslips, bank statements, proof of deposit and so on.

If your documents are in order and your lender is responsive, this can be done fairly quickly. But any discrepancies or complications (like being self-employed or having irregular income) can slow the process down.

Step 6: Exchanging Contracts (1 day)

Once everything is in place – the mortgage offer, the surveys, the legal checks – you’re ready to exchange contracts. This is the point where the sale becomes legally binding. You’ll pay your deposit and agree a completion date with the seller.

Sometimes this date is just a few days away, sometimes a few weeks. It’s agreed between both parties, often depending on everyone’s readiness to move.

Step 7: Completion (Typically 1–2 weeks after exchange)

Completion day is the big one – the day you get the keys. Your solicitor will transfer the rest of the money to the seller’s solicitor, and once confirmed, the property is officially yours.

Now all that’s left is the move itself – time to roll up your sleeves and turn that new house into a home.

So, How Long Does It Take to Move House Once You’ve Officially Bought the House?

Now that you’ve completed your purchase, how long does it take to actually move in? If you’re packed and ready, it could be as little as a day or two. But realistically, here’s what to expect:

Booking a Removal Company (2–4 weeks’ notice)

Good removal companies get booked up fast – especially during peak periods like school holidays and month-ends. We recommend booking your move date as soon as you exchange contracts.

Packing and Preparing (1–4 weeks)

If you’ve already started decluttering and organising ahead of time, packing shouldn’t take long. But if you’re doing it all last-minute, you’ll need at least a couple of days or even weeks to do it properly – especially if you’re juggling work, kids, and everything else.

Of course, if you choose a full packing service (like the one we offer at Saint Removals), you can cut this time down significantly.

Moving Day (1–2 days)

Most house moves are completed in a day, especially if you’re not going far. But if you have a lot of stuff, need to move out and in on different days, or are moving long distance, it can take two days or more.

What Can Delay the House Buying or Moving Process?

Unfortunately, house moves aren’t always smooth sailing. Here are some common delays to look out for:

• Chain complications – if one party drops out or delays, everyone else is affected.

• Survey issues – structural problems or damp can lead to renegotiations or repairs.

• Mortgage hold-ups – missing documents or lender backlogs can slow things down.

• Solicitor delays – especially during busy periods.

• Incomplete paperwork – from either side of the transaction.

The key to avoiding delays? Be proactive, responsive, and organised – and choose professionals (like your solicitor and removals team) with a solid reputation.

Summary

To sum it all up, here’s a rough timeline from start to finish:

• Mortgage preparation – 2 to 6 weeks

• House hunting – 1 week to 6 months

• Offer to exchange – 8 to 12 weeks

• Exchange to completion – 1 to 2 weeks

• Moving in – 1 to 2 days

  
  

So realistically, you’re looking at anywhere between 3 and 9 months from start to finish — sometimes longer if you’re in a complex chain or the market is particularly busy. And while that might seem like a long time, trust us – it’ll fly by.

At Saint Removals, we’re here to make the final stage of your journey as smooth as possible. Whether you need packing help, heavy lifting assistance, or a full-service removal service, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to make your move? Let's chat.