When Should You Book a Removal Company?

When Should You Book a Removal Company: Before or After Exchange?

One of the most difficult parts of planning a house move is knowing when to book the removal company.

Book too early and there is a risk that your completion date could change. Leave it until contracts have exchanged and your preferred removal company may already be fully booked, particularly if you are moving on a Friday, at the end of the month or during the school holidays.

In most cases, the best approach is to obtain your removal quote and begin planning before exchange, then confirm the booking as soon as contracts are exchanged and your completion date becomes legally agreed.

You do not need to wait until exchange before speaking to a removals company. In fact, starting the process earlier gives the company time to assess the size of your move, understand the access at both properties and prepare an accurate quotation.

However, you should always make it clear when your moving date is still provisional.

At ASP Removals, we recommend making contact as early as practical, especially if you are planning a larger household move or require packing, furniture dismantling or storage. This guide explains how to time your booking, what information your removals company will need and what to do when exchange or completion is delayed.

Should You Book Removals Before or After Exchange?

You should normally contact removal companies and obtain quotations before exchange, but avoid assuming that your moving date is guaranteed until contracts have exchanged.

A sensible sequence is:

1. Contact removal companies once your move is progressing and you have a likely completion period.
2. Arrange a home survey or provide a detailed inventory.
3. Obtain a written quotation based on the size and requirements of the move.
4. Tell the removal company that the proposed date has not yet been confirmed.
5. Ask about availability, provisional booking arrangements and date-change terms.
6. Confirm the removal as soon as contracts exchange and the completion date is agreed.

This gives you the best balance between preparation and flexibility.

Waiting until exchange before making any enquiries can create problems. The gap between exchange and completion is not always long, and some buyers and sellers discover that the removal companies they wanted are unavailable by the time their date becomes legally confirmed.

On the other hand, making a firm, non-refundable booking too early could expose you to additional costs if the property chain is delayed or collapses. Always ask what happens to your booking if the date changes before paying a deposit.

Understanding Exchange and Completion

This advice applies primarily to residential property transactions in England and Wales, where exchange and completion are separate stages of the conveyancing process.

What is exchange of contracts?

Exchange takes place when the buyer’s and seller’s solicitors or conveyancers exchange the signed contracts. At this point, the transaction becomes legally binding and both parties commit to completing on the agreed date.

Before exchange, an accepted offer is not normally legally binding. Either side can withdraw, and the proposed completion date can still change.

You can read more about the legal stages in the official GOV.UK guide to buying a home.

What is completion?

Completion is the day ownership of the property legally transfers to the buyer. The purchase money is transferred, the keys are released and the seller must leave the property.

For most people, completion is also moving day.

The time between exchange and completion is agreed by the parties involved. According to MoneyHelper’s guidance on exchange and completion, the period is typically between seven and 28 days, although it may be shorter or longer.

A short gap gives you very little time to find a removals company, organise packing and resolve practical issues. That is why it makes sense to start planning before exchange.

What Can You Arrange Before Exchange?

There is a considerable amount you can do before your completion date is legally confirmed.

Request removal quotations

Contact reputable removal companies and explain that you are in the process of buying, selling or both. Give them your expected timeframe and tell them that the completion date remains provisional.

A professional quotation should consider more than the number of bedrooms. It may also take account of:

• The volume of furniture and boxed belongings
• Access at your current and new properties
• The distance between the two addresses
• Stairs, lifts and long carrying distances
• Parking restrictions or loading difficulties
• Large, fragile or particularly valuable items
• Furniture that needs dismantling and reassembly
• Whether you require packing materials or a packing service
• Whether any belongings need to go into storage

You can request a moving quote from ASP Removals before your completion date is finalised. Provide as much information as possible and make it clear that the date may still change.

Arrange a removal survey

A survey helps the removals company understand the true scale of the move. It reduces the risk of the wrong vehicle, too few staff or insufficient time being allocated on moving day.

The survey is also an opportunity to discuss awkward furniture, restricted access, parking, packing requirements and any items that cannot be transported in a removals vehicle.

Having the survey before exchange means the practical planning is already complete when your date is confirmed.

Begin decluttering

You do not need a completion date to begin sorting your belongings.

Removing unwanted possessions before the survey may help make the quotation more accurate. It can also reduce packing time, the number of boxes required and the volume that needs to be transported.

Identify access and parking issues

Check the access at both properties early, particularly where your move involves:

• A controlled parking zone
• A narrow residential road
• A flat with a shared lift
• A development with loading restrictions
• A long walk between the vehicle and the entrance
• A private road or gated development
• Furniture that may not fit through the main doorway

Moves in busier locations can require additional planning. For example, our teams regularly arrange removals in Greenwich, where parking, apartment access and loading restrictions may need to be considered well before moving day.

In areas such as Dartford, planning may involve residential parking, busy routes and access around newer housing developments. More information is available on our Dartford removals page.

Can You Provisionally Book a Removal Company?

Some removal companies may be able to note, pencil in or provisionally reserve a likely moving date. However, provisional booking policies differ, so you must ask exactly what the arrangement means.

Do not assume that a provisional date is automatically guaranteed or that it can be changed without charge.

Before making a provisional booking, ask:

• Is the date being held exclusively for me?
• Is a deposit required?
• Is the deposit refundable or transferable?
• What happens if exchange is delayed?
• Can the booking move to another date?
• How much notice is required to change the booking?
• What happens if the new date is already fully booked?
• Are there cancellation or postponement charges?

Make sure any important terms are provided in writing.

When speaking to ASP Removals, tell us where you are in the conveyancing process and whether the date is confirmed. We can then discuss availability and the practical next steps based on your circumstances.

How Early Should You Contact a Removal Company?

As a general guide, contacting a removal company around two to four weeks before your expected moving date is sensible. Larger or more complicated moves may need considerably more notice.

Earlier contact is particularly important when:

• You are moving from a large property
• You have a substantial volume of belongings
• You require a full packing service
• You need several members of staff or multiple vehicles
• Your move involves difficult access
• You need specialist handling for fragile or bulky items
• You are relocating over a long distance
• You require short-term storage between properties
• You want to move on a Friday or at the end of the month

Even when your completion date has not been confirmed, early contact allows the removals company to prepare a quotation and understand your requirements.

Once exchange takes place, contact the company immediately to confirm the final date. Do not assume that your solicitor, estate agent or buyer will contact the removals company on your behalf.

What If Exchange and Completion Are Close Together?

A short period between exchange and completion is one of the strongest reasons to arrange your quotation in advance.

When exchange and completion are only separated by a few days, there may not be enough time to:

• Compare suitable removal companies
• Arrange a detailed home survey
• Order and receive packing materials
• Book a professional packing service
• Arrange parking suspensions or permits
• Reserve a lift in an apartment building
• Organise storage
• Dismantle large furniture
• Prepare children, pets or elderly relatives for moving day

If you know that the exchange-to-completion gap is likely to be short, speak to the removals company early. Explain the situation and ask what can be arranged before the date is legally confirmed.

What Happens If Your Completion Date Changes?

Completion dates can move for many reasons. A solicitor may still be waiting for information, a mortgage lender may need to complete a final step, a survey issue may require further negotiation or another transaction in the chain may be delayed.

If the proposed date changes, contact your removal company immediately.

The earlier the company knows, the greater the chance that it can adjust its schedule or offer an alternative date. Leaving the conversation until the last minute may reduce your options.

Ask about alternative availability

Provide any new likely dates as soon as possible. Avoid confirming a replacement date until your solicitor or conveyancer has explained the legal position.

Consider temporary storage

Sometimes the date for leaving one property does not match the date on which the next home is available.

Secure storage can provide a practical buffer between the two parts of the move. Your belongings can be collected, placed into storage and delivered when your new property is ready.

ASP Removals provides storage with collection and delivery, which can be useful when a property chain is delayed, dates do not align or you need additional time before moving everything into the new home.

Check your booking terms

Whether a date can be moved without charge will depend on the agreement with your removal company, the notice provided and whether another suitable date is available.

Read the booking and cancellation terms before paying a deposit. Ask for clarification if anything is unclear.

What Information Will the Removal Company Need?

The more accurate the information you provide, the more effectively your move can be planned.

Your current and destination addresses

Provide both addresses where possible. If the purchase has not progressed far enough to disclose the full destination address, give the area and approximate travelling distance initially.

Your likely moving date

Explain whether the date is:

• An early estimate
• Being discussed by the property chain
• Awaiting exchange
• Legally confirmed following exchange

Never describe a tentative date as confirmed.

The size and contents of the property

Give a realistic description of the property and the belongings being moved. Mention garages, sheds, lofts, cellars and garden contents, as these areas are easily overlooked.

Access at both properties

Tell the company about:

• Stairs and lifts
• Narrow entrances
• Parking restrictions
• Long paths or corridors
• Gates and access codes
• Vehicle height or weight restrictions
• Loading bays that must be reserved

Large or unusual items

Mention pianos, safes, large American-style fridge freezers, oversized sofas, antiques, artwork, garden machinery and any furniture that may need specialist handling.

Packing requirements

Explain whether you intend to pack everything yourself or need help with:

• A full packing service
• Fragile items only
• Pictures, mirrors and artwork
• Furniture protection
• Dismantling and reassembly
• Packing materials and boxes

These details can affect staffing, vehicle space, materials and the amount of time required.

Which Moving Dates Become Booked Most Quickly?

Removal companies tend to experience greater demand at certain times.

The busiest dates often include:

• Fridays
• The final working days of the month
• Dates immediately before bank holidays
• School holiday periods
• The summer months
• Dates close to Christmas

Friday is popular because many buyers want the weekend to unpack and settle in. However, completing on a Friday can also leave less time to resolve a problem if keys are delayed or another issue arises late in the day.

If you have some control over the completion date, ask whether a midweek move is possible. A Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday may offer better availability and can make it easier to contact solicitors, agents, utility companies or building managers if something needs attention.

The best date will still depend on your property chain, work commitments, childcare and the availability of everyone involved.

What If You Are Renting Rather Than Buying?

Tenants do not usually need to wait for an exchange of contracts. Instead, the important dates are determined by the tenancy agreement, notice period and start date of the new tenancy.

Before booking removals, make sure:

• Your new tenancy has been agreed and signed where required
• You know when you can legally collect the keys
• Your existing notice period has been dealt with correctly
• The new property will be ready for occupation
• Any lift, loading bay or move-in booking has been arranged

Where possible, avoid relying only on a verbal agreement. Obtain written confirmation of the tenancy start date and key collection arrangements.

If the tenancies overlap, you may have greater flexibility and could move over more than one day. If there is a gap between them, ask about temporary storage before the old tenancy ends.

Removal Company Booking Checklist

Use this checklist to plan the booking process.

Before exchange

• Research established and insured removal companies
• Request a detailed quotation
• Arrange a removal survey where appropriate
• Explain that the date is provisional
• Discuss parking and access at both properties
• Identify large, fragile or unusual items
• Decide whether you need packing assistance
• Ask about temporary storage
• Read the deposit, cancellation and postponement terms
• Ask how provisional dates are handled

Immediately after exchange

• Confirm the completion date with your solicitor
• Contact the removals company immediately
• Confirm the booking in writing
• Pay any agreed deposit or balance
• Finalise packing and dismantling arrangements
• Arrange parking permissions or lift bookings
• Confirm access and key collection arrangements
• Provide a reliable contact number for moving day

During the final days

• Finish packing and label every box clearly
• Prepare an essentials box
• Keep medication, valuables and legal documents with you
• Disconnect and prepare appliances where required
• Confirm that parking remains available
• Update the removal company about any important changes
• Speak to your solicitor about the likely timing of key release

Why Early Communication Makes a Difference

A removals company cannot control the legal process, but early communication allows it to prepare for the practical side of the move.

Knowing about a likely date, difficult access, a large quantity of furniture or a possible storage requirement helps the team allocate the right resources.

It is also important to be honest about uncertainty. A date that is being discussed by the chain is not the same as a completion date agreed at exchange.

ASP Removals is a family-run removals company with more than 30 years’ experience helping households move across Bexleyheath, South East London, Kent and the surrounding areas. We understand that completion dates are not always straightforward, and we encourage customers to speak to us early so that the move can be planned properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a removal company before exchanging contracts?

Yes, you can contact a removal company, arrange a survey and obtain a quotation before exchange. You must explain that the date remains provisional and check the company’s terms before paying a deposit or making a firm commitment.

Is it better to wait until exchange before booking removals?

It is usually better to begin planning and obtain quotations before exchange. Waiting until exchange to make your first enquiry could leave you with very little time, especially when completion follows shortly afterwards.

How far in advance should I book a removal company?

Aim to make contact at least two to four weeks before your expected moving date. Larger moves, long-distance relocations, packing services and moves during busy periods may require more notice.

What does a provisional removal booking mean?

The meaning differs between companies. It may mean that your likely date has been noted, or it may involve a deposit and specific postponement terms. Ask whether the date is guaranteed, transferable or refundable and obtain the answer in writing.

What happens if I book removals and completion is delayed?

Contact the removal company immediately. Depending on its availability and booking terms, the move may be transferred to another date. Temporary storage may also help when the dates for leaving and entering the properties no longer match.

Can exchange and completion happen very close together?

Yes. The period between exchange and completion is agreed by the parties and can sometimes be short. This is why obtaining quotations and completing the removal survey before exchange can be helpful.

Should I arrange packing before exchange?

You can discuss the packing service and obtain a quotation before exchange. Avoid scheduling the final packing day until the moving arrangements are sufficiently certain, particularly if the service involves the removals team packing immediately before completion.

Can ASP Removals help if my dates do not line up?

Yes. ASP Removals can discuss removal, packing and storage options where completion is delayed or the dates for leaving and entering the properties do not align.

Planning a Move? Speak to ASP Removals Early

You do not need to wait until exchange before asking for removal advice.

Contacting ASP Removals early gives us time to understand the size of your move, assess access, discuss packing and consider whether storage may be needed. Just make it clear if your proposed date is still awaiting exchange.

Once contracts have exchanged, confirm your completion date with us as quickly as possible so that the final arrangements can be put in place.

ASP Removals provides professional house removals, flat removals, packing and storage across Bexleyheath, South East London, Kent and surrounding areas.

Call ASP Removals on 020 8306 8313 or request your free, no-obligation moving quote online.