Moving day rarely runs exactly to the clock, but it does follow a clear shape once you know what's coming. Here's what usually happens from the moment you wake up to the moment you put the kettle on in your new kitchen, plus what to do if the timeline slips.
Before the Van Even Arrives
Your moving day really starts the night before. Strip the beds, defrost the freezer a day early, and pack a separate "first night" box with chargers, medication, toiletries and a kettle. Keep paperwork, keys and anything irreplaceable with you rather than on the van. Take a photo of your meter readings at both properties so you're not searching for a torch and a notepad in the dark. If you've booked a packing and unpacking service, most of this admin still falls to you: the crew handles the boxes, not your passport.
When Your Crew Arrives
Most London moves start early, with crews usually on site between 8am and 9am depending on your postcode, the size of your move and how far you're travelling. A one-bedroom flat might get a two-person flat removals team, while a typical house removals crew needs three people and a Luton van, with larger homes needing a bigger vehicle and more hands. Your crew will introduce themselves, walk the property with you and confirm what's going and what's staying, then start protecting your home straight away: door frames, stair rails and carpets get covered before a single box moves, and any furniture that won't clear a doorway gets dismantled on the spot.
Loading the Van: Why the Order Matters
Loading isn't just stacking boxes. Heavier furniture goes in first, near the cab, to keep the weight balanced. Boxes get loaded by room, with fragile items and anything you'll need first going in last so they come off first at the other end. Beds, wardrobes and tables are wrapped in blankets rather than just cardboard. For a typical three-bedroom house, loading takes roughly two to three hours with a three-person crew. It's slower than it looks from the pavement, but that's what keeps your sofa arriving without a scuff.
On the Road: Parking, the Congestion Charge and Traffic
This is where London adds its own twist. Many boroughs need a parking bay suspension arranged with the council in advance, particularly on Victorian terraces with no off-street parking, so it's worth sorting this a week or two before your date rather than on the morning itself. Your crew handles the congestion charge and any parking costs as part of the fixed price you agreed at booking, so it doesn't show up as a surprise line later. Cross-London journeys can take well over an hour in traffic, which is why afternoon slots usually build in extra time rather than assuming a straight run.
Arriving at Your New Home
Unloading is generally quicker than loading because your crew already knows what's in each box from the labels. For a typical house, unloading and placing furniture takes around 60 to 90 minutes. Beds get reassembled, wardrobes go back together, and boxes go into the room marked on the label rather than wherever there's space. Floor coverings stay down throughout, so your new carpets and flooring get the same protection your old ones did.
If Your Moving Day Runs Late
Delays happen, and they're more common than most people expect. Research from the HomeOwners Alliance found that removal firms blame delays in the transfer of funds by conveyancers or banks for 88% of moving day hold-ups, with keys not being released on time behind 69% of them. Friday remains the single most popular day to move, chosen by more than a quarter of households according to reallymoving's 2025 data, which means Fridays are also when delays are most likely to bunch up. If your keys are late, ask your crew about short-term storage options rather than sitting in a loaded van on a double yellow line. Keeping your phone charged and your solicitor's number to hand makes a stressful hour much shorter.
Final Checks Before the Crew Leaves
Before your crew heads off, walk both properties one more time. Check cupboards, lofts and under-stairs storage for anything left behind, confirm your meter readings, and make sure your crew has taken all the packing waste with them rather than leaving it on the kerb. This is also the moment to check off anything specific you flagged at booking, from a piano to a wardrobe that needed extra care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a house move take in London?
Most three-bedroom house moves take a full day once you include loading, travel and unloading, with loading alone taking two to three hours. A one or two-bedroom flat move is often finished in half a day. Cross-London traffic and building access, such as lifts or restricted parking, can add extra time either side.
What time do removal crews usually start?
Most crews arrive between 8am and 9am, though the exact time depends on your postcode, the size of your move and how many jobs your crew has that day. You'll normally be given a confirmed arrival window the day before your move.
Do I need to be at the property all day?
You need to be at your old property when the crew arrives and at your new one when they unload, or have someone you trust there instead. Being reachable by phone throughout the day matters just as much, especially if your completion time shifts.
What happens if my moving day gets delayed?
Delays are usually down to the property chain rather than your removals crew, most often funds clearing late or keys not being released on time. Having a backup plan, such as short-term storage for a night, takes the pressure off if your new home isn't ready when expected.
Do I need to empty my cupboards before the crew arrives?
Yes. Wardrobes and cupboards should be empty so furniture can be wrapped and carried without stopping to unpack it first. Leaving drawers full also adds unnecessary weight and risks damage to the furniture itself.
No two moving days look exactly the same, but knowing the shape of the day, from that first knock on the door to the last box in the right room, makes it far easier to relax and let your crew get on with it. If you'd like a fixed price and a friendly team who'll talk you through your own timeline before move day arrives, get in touch for a free quote.