Moving home: timeline and costs
From having your offer accepted to picking up the keys, the moving home process typically takes 8–12 weeks. This guide breaks down what happens at each stage, what causes delays, and how to keep things on track.
In this guide
Overview: how long does moving home take?
8–12 weeks
Average time
From accepted offer to completion for a standard purchase
12–16+ weeks
Complex cases
Chains, leasehold, or issues found during searches
4–6 weeks
Fastest possible
Chain-free purchase with a motivated seller and no complications
Week-by-week breakdown
Here’s a typical timeline for a moving home purchase, assuming a relatively straightforward chain.
Week 1–2: Offer accepted and mortgage application
Instruct your solicitor immediately. Submit your full mortgage application with all supporting documents. The lender begins processing and orders a valuation.
Week 2–3: Valuation and initial searches
The lender’s surveyor values the property. Your solicitor orders local authority searches, environmental searches, and water/drainage searches. Consider booking your own survey.
Week 3–4: Mortgage offer issued
If the valuation is satisfactory and your application is approved, the lender issues a formal mortgage offer. This is a key milestone — it confirms the lender is committed.
Week 4–6: Searches returned and enquiries raised
Search results come back (local authority searches can take 2–4 weeks). Your solicitor reviews them and raises any queries with the seller’s solicitor. This is often where delays happen.
Week 6–8: Contract pack finalised
All queries are resolved, the contract is agreed, and both sides prepare for exchange. Your solicitor sends you the contract to sign and requests your deposit funds.
Week 8–10: Exchange of contracts
Both sides sign and exchange contracts. This is the point of no return — the sale is now legally binding. A completion date is set (usually 1–2 weeks after exchange).
Week 10–12: Completion and move in
On completion day, the mortgage funds are transferred, the seller’s mortgage is repaid, and you receive the keys. Arrange your removal company for this date.
What causes delays?
- Some councils take 4–6 weeks to return search results
- Your solicitor can request expedited searches (at extra cost)
- Personal searches from private companies are faster but not accepted by all lenders
How to speed up the process
- Have your mortgage DIP in place
- Choose a solicitor and have them ready to instruct immediately
- Gather all mortgage documentation in advance
What costs arise at each stage?
When costs typically fall due
£250–£600
Survey (weeks 2–3)
Your personal survey, if you choose to have one
£300–£500
Searches (weeks 2–4)
Local authority, environmental, and water searches
Deposit
Exchange (weeks 8–10)
Usually 10% of the purchase price, held by the seller’s solicitor
Balance
Completion (weeks 10–12)
Remaining funds, stamp duty, and solicitor’s fees
Exchange vs completion explained
These are two distinct legal milestones that often confuse first-time movers.
Exchange of contracts is when you and the seller are legally committed. Before exchange, either party can pull out without penalty (though you may lose survey and legal costs). After exchange, pulling out means forfeiting your deposit and potentially being sued for breach of contract.
Completion is when the money changes hands and you get the keys. It’s usually set for one to two weeks after exchange, though simultaneous exchange and completion is possible in some circumstances.
What to do if your chain breaks
Keep your move on track with Clearview
At Clearview Mortgage Solutions, we don’t just find you a mortgage — we manage the process from application to completion. We chase the lender, liaise with your solicitor, and keep you updated at every stage so nothing falls through the cracks.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat about your move.
Related guides
More guides in our moving home mortgage hub.
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