White & Company’s Stress-Free Guide to Moving House This Summer

Are you planning a house move 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 White & Company, we’ve been helping families and businesses relocate for over 150 years.

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 is the busiest season for house moves thanks to better weather and the school holiday schedule.

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

Firstly, the weather plays a big 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 offer families a convenient window to relocate without disrupting their children’s education.

Children can finish one school year and begin fresh in a new one, easing the transition 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 fresh in a new school is easier for children when timed with the beginning of a new academic year.

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, no matter what stage of education, will negate a lot of stress for all.

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 very helpful guide to helping ease the transition into a new school, covering children from primary school through to secondary education.

Secure Your Removal Company Early

Book your removals company 8–12 weeks ahead to guarantee your preferred summer moving date.

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

Many reputable firms like White & Company 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 White & Company.

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 gives you a buffer in case any last-minute delays occur, ensuring utilities, banks, or solicitors remain available if you need to make urgent arrangements.

Don’t Underestimate the Heat: Stay Cool and Safe

Summer heatwaves can affect your move — stay hydrated and plan ahead to avoid heat-related issues.

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 like 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

Keep children and pets safe and stress-free by arranging care during your moving 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 away from 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

Use your summer move as an opportunity to downsize and donate items you no longer need.

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.

Not only does this reduce the volume of items to move, but you’ll also arrive at your new property with a fresh start.

Consider Storage for Flexible Timing

Temporary storage solutions provide flexibility if your new home isn’t ready on moving day.

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.

White & Company 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.

Confirm Utility Transfers in Advance

A smooth handover includes ensuring that gas, electricity, broadband, and water accounts are switched over to your name ahead of time.

Utility providers can experience delays during peak summer months due to higher demand, so contact them as soon as you have a confirmed moving date.

Websites like Uswitch allow you to compare and set up services easily, ensuring you’re connected the moment you walk through your new front door.

Don’t forget to notify the local council about your change of address to ensure council tax records are updated.

The same applies when you arrive at your new home. Make sure you notify all the necessary organisations in good time.

Take a look at the handy guide on the Propertyable website, packed with tips and advice about who needs to be notified when you move home.

Allow Extra Time for Traffic & Holiday Disruptions

Summer road congestion can affect your move — plan routes and build in extra travel time.

During summer, UK roads are so much busier with holidaymakers heading to coastal destinations and airports.

Popular routes like the M5 to Devon and Cornwall, or the M25 and M3 around London, can experience significant congestion.

Make sure to build extra travel time into your moving schedule and discuss alternative routes with your removal team.

Apps such as National Highways provide real-time traffic updates, helping you avoid major delays on moving day.

Smart Packing Tips for Summer Moves

Protect heat-sensitive items and keep summer essentials handy to stay comfortable on moving day.

Packing for a summer move requires a slightly different approach to ensure your belongings and your family stay safe and comfortable throughout the process.

Start by packing heat-sensitive items with extra care. Electronics, candles, toiletries, and certain food products can be affected by high temperatures during transit.

Use insulated cool bags or clearly mark such boxes, so they’re loaded last and unloaded first.

Clothing should also be packed with the season in mind — keep lightweight, breathable outfits easily accessible for moving day.

Don’t forget to create a “summer essentials” box with sun cream, cold drinks, hats, sunglasses, and snacks to help everyone stay cool.

Aim to pack as much as possible in advance, leaving only the absolute essentials for the final day.

This reduces pressure and allows the removal team to work efficiently when the time comes.

Being prepared is half the battle when moving in the summer or at any other time of the year.

Benefits of Using a Professional Packing Service

Save time and reduce stress with a professional packing team trained to handle belongings with care.

While many people choose to pack themselves, professional packing services can save valuable time and significantly reduce stress, especially in the hectic summer months.

Experienced packers know how to handle fragile, bulky, or valuable items safely, using the correct materials to protect belongings during transit.

This is particularly helpful when heat-sensitive items require extra care in warmer weather.

By outsourcing your packing, you also avoid the physical strain of lifting and boxing, freeing up time to focus on other aspects of your move.

At White & Company, our trained teams can tailor packing services to suit your needs, whether you require a full-pack, part-pack, or specialist handling for antiques and fine art.

This is one part of your move that really is best to leave to the professionals!

Choosing an Accredited Removal Company Matters

BAR-accredited removals companies like White & Company ensure high standards and peace of mind.

During peak summer season, demand for removals is high, and unfortunately, not all companies operate to the same standard.

Choosing a fully accredited removal company offers peace of mind that your belongings are in safe hands.

Accreditation by organisations like the British Association of Removers (BAR) ensures that companies meet strict professional standards, carry appropriate insurance, and provide trained, experienced staff.

Accredited companies also offer protection schemes, giving customers added security if unexpected issues arise.

At White & Company, we are proud long-standing members of BAR, offering our customers confidence in our professional, fully insured services during even the busiest summer moves.

Moving House this Summer? Make Your Move a Smooth Success

Moving house in summer offers plenty of advantages, from better weather to school holiday flexibility, but it also comes with its own set of challenges.

We hope our article has given you some smart strategies so that your summer move can be smooth, efficient, and even enjoyable.

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

With over 150 years of experience, a team of trusted professionals, and nationwide coverage, 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.

Helpful Resources from White & Company

Let’s face it, moving can be overwhelming. That’s why at White & Company, we have pulled together our most useful blog posts to help make your experience a whole lot easier.

Whether you’re moving with kids, unsure about when to pack what, or wondering how to protect your belongings, we’ve got you covered.

Take a look at some of our most-read resources:

• Moving made Easy – 11 Tips for a Smooth Transition
• 47 Packing tips
• Moving During the School Holidays
• Protecting Your Belongings During Your Move
• Why use a Bar registered company

No matter the season or destination, White & Company is here to do the utmost to make it as pleasant an experience as possible.

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.