How Long Does a House Move Take? Real Moving-Day Times from Birmingham
Updated: 13 hours ago
By Rob, Shift It Man and Van Removals. Updated November 2026.
Most local moves we did in October took between 2.5 and 5 hours, including the drive between addresses. Four of the six local moves were done within 3 hours.
The number of bedrooms is a poor guide. What really decides the time is how much you have, how well it’s packed, and how easy each building is to get in and out of.
Here are seven real moves from the last few weeks.
Seven real moves, start to finish
Date | Move | Time | What made the difference |
16 Oct | Shirley to Malvern | 3 hours | Light load, but doors had to come off to get the fridge into the kitchen |
21 Oct | Storage unit to a house, Sutton Coldfield | 3 hours | Mainly boxes, plus beds and tables |
23 Oct | 6th-floor flat, Yardley, to a house in Kingstanding | 3 hours | Mostly boxes and bags, but the nearest lift was broken, so a long walk every trip |
24 Oct | 1-bed flat, Weoley Castle, to a flat in Rowley Regis | 5 hours | Well packed, but a lot of belongings: two van loads |
26 Oct | Storage unit, Halesowen, to a retirement flat in Oldbury | 4 hours | Tiny lift, and the front door had to stay shut on every trip |
27 Oct | 3-bed house, Rubery, to a 2-bed retirement flat in Northfield | 2.5 hours | The house owner was downsizing to a 2-bed flat, and everything was packed and ready when we arrived. |
31 Oct | Jewellery Quarter to Brentwood, Essex | About 10 hours, door to door | Long distance: 50 large boxes plus furniture, and one of two lifts broken at a busy building |
Why a 1-bed flat can take longer than a 3-bed house
On 24 October, a 1-bed flat in Weoley Castle took 5 hours. Three days later, a 3-bed house in Rubery took 2.5 hours.
The flat simply had more in it. It filled the van twice, so we had to drive there and back between loads. The house owner was downsizing to a 2-bed flat. Everything was packed, and only what fitted the new home came with us.
That’s why we always ask for photos rather than just the number of bedrooms.
What speeds a move up
Everything packed before we arrive. Boxes sealed and labelled, and drawers emptied. It’s the biggest time-saver of all.
Deciding what goes before moving day. Downsizing moves are often quick because the sorting has already been done.
Parking close to the door at both ends.
Telling us about awkward items early, such as fridge-freezers, large sofas or wardrobes. We can then plan whether doors or feet need to come off.
What slows it down
Lifts. Small lifts, busy lifts or broken lifts add the most waiting time. In Brentwood, unloading took nearly 3 hours because one of the building’s two lifts was out of action.
Long walks from the van to the front door, especially in flats and retirement buildings.
Security doors that have to be closed after every trip.
More than one van load. Each extra trip adds driving time.
What this means for the cost
House and flat moves around Birmingham are charged by the hour. £395 covers the first 3 hours, with two movers, our Luton van with tail lift and full insurance. After that it’s £85 an hour. The clock includes the drive between your two addresses.
So a move that takes 4 hours costs £395 + £85 = £480. The faster your move goes, the less you pay. Read our full Birmingham house removal cost guide.
Long-distance moves are different. They’re priced individually, with a fixed price agreed before the move. Our Brentwood job was a long day, starting at 7am and getting home at 5pm, but the customer knew the cost in advance. See our long distance removals.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a 1-bed flat move take?Most 1-bed flat moves are done within 3 hours. A flat with a lot of belongings can take longer. Our Weoley Castle move needed two van loads and took 5 hours. More on our flat removals.
How long does a 3-bed house move take?It depends on how much is coming with you. Our Rubery downsizing move took 2.5 hours. A full 3-bed house usually takes longer. Send us photos and we’ll give you an honest estimate. More on our house removals.
Does the time include driving?Yes. For local moves, the time includes driving between your two addresses.
How can I make my move quicker?Pack everything, decide what’s going before the day, and tell us about lifts, stairs, parking and large items. Our reusable moving crates make packing quicker too.
Get an honest time estimate
Send us a few photos of what’s moving and both postcodes on WhatsApp. We’ll tell you roughly how long it should take, so you know the likely cost before you book.
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