All move types
Buying
Buying a Home
The largest financial transaction most people make — with the most moving parts.
Overview
Moving into a property you're purchasing involves legal, financial, and logistical layers that don't appear in rented moves. Exchange and completion can be compressed into a single week, or separated by months. Knowing what to prepare — and when to act — prevents the most common and costly mistakes.
Common challenges
- Coordinating with solicitors and mortgage lenders through to completion
- Chain risk — if any property above or below falls through, the chain pauses
- Stamp duty, surveyor costs, and solicitor fees arriving simultaneously
- Completion day logistics — often less than 24 hours' notice of the exact time
- Setting up utilities at a property that may have been vacant for months
Typical costs
Solicitor / conveyancing fees£1,000–£2,500
Surveyor£400–£1,500
Stamp dutyVaries — use HMRC calculator
Removal van£300–£1,500
First month utilities£100–£250
Typical timeline
From offer accepted to completion typically takes 8–16 weeks, sometimes longer in a chain. Build your moving plan from the expected completion date, not the offer date. Utility and broadband setup should begin 4–6 weeks before completion.