how far in advance should I book a removals company for moving house

The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing your preferred date and avoiding unnecessary stress. As a general rule, aim to contact removals companies as soon as you have an agreed completion date or a strong indication of when you will exchange contracts. For most moves in the Bournemouth and Dorset area, 4 to 6 weeks notice is a reasonable minimum.

Certain times of year are significantly busier than others. Late June through to September is peak moving season, as families try to relocate before the new school year. Fridays, bank holiday weekends, and the final few days of each month are also in high demand because they coincide with typical completion dates. If your move falls into any of these windows, booking 8 to 12 weeks ahead is a sensible precaution.

If you are part of a chain, it is worth noting that completion dates can shift at short notice. A good removals company will work with you to hold a provisional date while your sale progresses and will be transparent about their cancellation or amendment policy. At Astra Removals we have managed Bournemouth house moves since 1986 and understand how unpredictable chains can be.

• Exchange of contracts typically happens 1 to 4 weeks before completion, so try to have a removals company provisionally booked before you exchange.
• If you are moving in or out of a flat with a service lift, or a property with parking restrictions, flag this early so the company can allocate the right vehicle and crew.
• Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible for straightforward, local moves, but you will have far less choice of date and crew.

If you are moving to or from the Bournemouth, Poole, or Christchurch area, getting in touch with a local company early also means you benefit from their knowledge of local roads, parking permit requirements, and any access quirks that are common in this part of Dorset.