How do we agree a moving date?

Whilst it’s fine to have a target moving date in mind, you can’t actually set the date until all of the documentation is in place and everyone in the chain is ready to exchange.  That means checking with your solicitor that they have everything they need, and being aware of how long your lender will need to transfer any monies (this can take anything up to seven working days, depending on the lender).

Once you are ready to set a date, you will need to check with your removal firm that they are available.  Don’t pay anything to them until you have exchanged, because if for any reason exchange is delayed, you could lose that money.  A reputable removal firm will hold a date for you until you are ready to commit.

At the point of exchange, the completion date – which in almost all circumstances will be moving day – will be set in stone.  This is usually one to two weeks after exchange, but it can be the same day, or it can be set for further away.

Of course, you will need to agree all of this with everyone in the chain, and the longer the chain, the more difficult this is to co-ordinate.  It’s all about communication during the process; you will find that if you keep everyone informed, and you are helpful and prepared to be flexible, people in your chain are more likely to be flexible in return.