Nearly 23,000 households are expected to move home on Friday as the August Bank Holiday period delivers the busiest moving day of 2026.
Analysis of more than 750,000 removal quotes by HomeOwners Alliance and reallymoving predicts 22,904 households will move on Friday 28 August – almost four times the average of around 6,000 moves a day.
August has been the UK’s most popular month for moving home for each of the past 14 years, closely followed by July, while January and February are consistently the quietest.
Around 2.2 million household moves take place across the UK each year, according to HomeOwners Alliance.
FRIDAY REMAINS FAVOURITE
Friday remains comfortably the most popular moving day, accounting for 29% of moves, compared with just 5% taking place on Sundays.
The concentration of transactions can put additional pressure on removal companies, conveyancers and estate agents, particularly when multiple transactions within a property chain are completing simultaneously.
Paula Higgins (main picture), Chief Executive of HomeOwners Alliance, says: “Moving home is stressful enough without competing with nearly 23,000 other households for removal firms, conveyancers and estate agents.
“Anyone moving on Friday 28 August should book early, confirm arrangements across the chain and have a contingency plan in case of delays.
“Where possible, choosing a quieter day earlier in the week could mean less pressure, greater choice and potentially better value.”
PREPARATION ‘VITAL’
Movers are being encouraged to check arrangements throughout their property chain and ensure their conveyancer has everything required to complete the transaction.
They should also keep essential documents, medication and other necessities with them in case keys are released later than expected.
Rob Houghton, CEO of reallymoving, says: “Demand for removal firms will be exceptionally high, so preparation is vital.
“Ask your removals company to assess everything you need to move, either in person or through a detailed video survey, to make sure the right-sized vehicle and team are booked for the day.”
