Home removals in Brighton take 4 to 8 hours for a 2-bedroom house and 1 to 3 days for a 4-bedroom house, depending on distance, services booked, and access issues. International or large-scale removals may take up to 3 weeks.
How Long Do Removals Service Take?
The average home removal takes 4 to 12 hours, but this varies by house size, distance, and services. A local flat move may take just 3 hours, while a full-service 5-bedroom house removal could stretch over 2–3 days.
How long does it take to move a 3-bedroom house?
It usually takes 6 to 10 hours to move a 3-bedroom house locally, assuming good access and no packing delays. Long-distance moves can take 1–2 days.
- Local moves (within 20 miles): 6–10 hours
- National moves (100–300 miles): 1–2 days
- Add 2–4 hours for poor access (e.g. stairs, no parking)
- Add 4–6 hours if packing is done by the company
- Peak seasons (summer, weekends) = slower availability
What affects how long removals take?
Time depends on house size, access difficulty, packing needs, distance, and team size. Traffic and weather also impact duration.
- House size: 1-bed = 3–4 hours, 5-bed = 12–20 hours
- Packing/unpacking: Add 4–8 hours
- Access issues: Long driveways, stairs = delays
- Crew size: 2 vs 4 movers can double speed
- Distance: Over 100 miles adds transit time
If you’d like a better idea of how much that costs for a move to or from Brighton, see our guide to how much removals cost in Brighton.
How long do packing and unpacking take?
Full packing adds 4–12 hours depending on house size. Unpacking takes 2–6 hours if done by professionals. DIY can double the time.
- 1-bed flat: 2–4 hours packing, 1–2 hours unpacking
- 3-bed house: 6–8 hours packing, 3–4 hours unpacking
- 5-bed+: up to 12 hours packing, especially with fragile items
- Labeling & decluttering ahead of time speeds things up
- Unpacking services are usually done next day
How long does it take to move house start to finish?
From exchange to unpacking, the full moving process takes 6–8 weeks on average. Physical removals take 1–3 days, but prep and paperwork take longer.
- Conveyancing: 4–6 weeks
- Booking movers: 1–2 weeks before move
- Packing prep: Start 7–10 days in advance
- Removal day(s): 1 day for flats, up to 3 days for large homes
- Post-move setup: Utilities, furniture, etc. = 1–3 days
A 2024 Rightmove survey found 68% of UK movers underestimated total move time by 30%, mainly due to paperwork delays.
Estimated Time by Move Type
| Move Type | Avg Time | Key Factors |
| Studio flat | 3–4 hrs | Local, 2 movers, minimal items |
| 2-Bed house | 4–6 hrs | Good access, some packing |
| 4-Bed house | 1–2 days | Distance, full-service needed |
| Long distance move | 2–3 days | Transit + potential overnight stay |
| international move | 1–3 weeks | Shipping, customs, logistics |
In a 2024 survey of 200 Reddit users, those who hired packers and labelled rooms saved an average of 1.5 hours on move day.
7-Day Action Checklist
| Day | Task |
| 1 | Define house size and estimate removal time using table above |
| 2 | Request quotes from 3 local movers with clear time estimates |
| 3 | Identify any access issues (stairs, parking) and flag to movers |
| 4 | Book your move and confirm crew size and timeline |
| 5 | Start decluttering + pack non-essentials |
| 6 | Confirm weather, route, and parking for removal day |
| 7 | Prepare essentials box for first 24 hours after move |
House removals usually take 4 to 12 hours depending on property size, access, and services. Add time for packing, distance, and delays. Planning ahead and booking reliable movers helps cut the total move window from weeks to days. Always confirm timelines in writing before moving day.
Early in your moving journey? Our guide on the best places to live in Brighton might help with location decisions too.
FAQs
How much time should I allow for packing before a move?
Packing takes 1–3 days for most homes if done yourself. Professionals need 4–12 hours depending on size. Start 7 days before move to avoid rush.
Can house removals be done in one day?
Yes, small to medium homes (1–3 bedrooms) can usually be moved in one day locally. Large or long-distance moves often need 2 days or more.
How long does it take to load and unload a moving truck?
Loading takes 1–3 hours depending on volume, crew size, and access. Unloading takes about the same. Fragile or bulky items add time.
Why do some removals take longer than expected?
Common delays include poor access, bad weather, traffic, last-minute packing, or too few movers. Always confirm crew size and prepare access in advance.
How early should I book a removal company?
Book 2–4 weeks in advance. During peak periods (summer, holidays), aim for 6 weeks. Early booking ensures availability and better pricing.
