What Really Happens on Moving Day When Buying a New Home? A Step-by-Step Guide
At Myhandyvan, we know that moving home can feel like a whirlwind of excitement and stress, not helped by the mystery of what happens on completion day. That’s why we’ve put this guide together.
Once your solicitor has confirmed the exchange of contracts, usually a couple of days before you actually complete the transaction, the next big milestone is completion day — the day you buy and usually move into your new home. But what actually happens behind the scenes? And when can you expect to pick up your keys? Here’s a clear guide to help you prepare for the big day.
The Morning: Waiting for Funds to Transfer
Completion day is when your solicitor transfers the purchase money to the seller’s solicitor. This is done by bank transfer, and while it sounds simple, the timing depends on the banking system and how quickly both solicitors act.
- Early Morning, between 9am and 11am – Your removals team (that’s us!) will arrive to load up your belongings. A good removals team will get you to your new home around 13:30, which is usually when you get the keys to your new home
- Late Morning, around 11am – Your solicitor will send the funds. How quickly they clear depends on how many transactions are in the chain, and how many transactions the banks are processing that day. If you’re at the top of a long chain, be prepared for some waiting, it can take until late afternoon.
Midday to Afternoon: Getting the Keys
Once the seller’s solicitor confirms they’ve received the money, the estate agent is given the green light to release the keys. This usually happens between 12pm and 2pm, although in more complex chains it can be later.
It’s worth noting:
- You can’t collect your keys or move into the new property until the money has officially cleared and the solicitors give the go ahead.
- Sellers are expected to vacate the property promptly once funds are received, but there can be short delays as they move out. It’s a good idea to talk to your vendors and find out what time they expect to be leaving their home so, all being well, you can move in. It’s also good to let your buyers know what time you’ll be out by too. This helps to avoid moving teams crossing over.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Moving day runs most smoothly when everyone is well-prepared. Here are some tips to make sure things go without a hitch:
- Pack in Advance: Aim to have everything boxed up and labelled before moving day. This makes loading quicker and less stressful.
- Keep Essentials Handy: Have a separate box or bag with tea (and cups), snacks, phone chargers, important documents, and toiletries so you don’t have to dig through boxes later.
- Stay in Touch with Your Solicitor: Keep your phone handy. Your solicitor will let you know as soon as funds have gone through. Good communication with your solicitor is key, if they’re not calling you, call them!
- Conform with your solicitor and estate agents that they will be working on completion day, if they’re not – get a direct contact number for their cover, and make a point of checking in before moving day to say hi. They’re more inclined to help you if they’ve already got a rapport with you.
- Find someone to look after the kids. Moving day can be long and stressful, having to look after the little ones can be just that little too much. So, if you can find someone to look after them, it’ll make your day a lot easier.
- Book an Experienced Removals Team: A professional service like Myhandyvan ensures your belongings are quickly and safely transported and unloaded, so you can focus on settling in.
What If There Are Delays?
It’s not uncommon for completion to take longer than expected. If funds don’t transfer until late afternoon, you may not get the keys until 3pm or even 4pm. While this can be stressful, there’s not a lot that can be done. It’s a good idea to have something planned to occupy yourself – maybe a good book.
There are usually charges from moving companies for delays, always check the terms and conditions before booking in with a removals company. If your moving company aims to deliver you to your new home before 13:30 – change the time that they start loading because it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be getting the keys before then.
Final Thoughts
Moving day can feel like a rollercoaster, but with the right preparation and support, it can also be an exciting fresh start. At Myhandyvan, we understand the timings and logistics of completion day, and we’re here to make the process as smooth as possible. From carefully loading your belongings in the morning to helping you settle in once you’ve got the keys, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
If there’s anything that you’re not sure about, please do give us a call or send us a message.