One in six UK house moves is delayed by an hour or more on the day. One in twenty-five completions collapses entirely. Every professional firm has a contingency for both.
Short delay (under 3 hours)
Crew waits at the origin. Fixed-price moves do not incur additional charges for delays under 3 hours — the fixed price covers it. Use the time to finish packing, walk the dog, or top up the essentials box.
Longer delay (3–6 hours)
If keys still haven't arrived, the crew may load the lorry and park it in a secure yard until you're ready. Overnight-in-lorry cover is included in Apex fixed pricing where completion is delayed the same day.
Completion delayed to next day
Lorry goes into our secure depot overnight, alarmed and CCTV-monitored, still fully insured. Crew returns the next morning for offload. Small overnight fee (£150–£300) usually applies — but often waived if the delay is confirmed before 3pm.
Completion collapses same day
Your possessions are moved into short-term Apex secure storage free for the first 3 days, then charged at a fixed weekly rate until your new completion date. Access available with 24 hours' notice.
What causes UK completion delays
- Mortgage funds don't arrive at solicitor's account in time (most common)
- Chain breakdown further up the chain
- Vendor not vacated when buyer arrives
- Final searches still outstanding
- Buildings insurance cover paperwork missing
How to reduce delay risk
- Complete on a Wednesday or Thursday, not Friday
- Instruct a solicitor with a same-day BACS facility
- Confirm buildings insurance is active from exchange, not completion
- Keep your solicitor's mobile number in your phone on the day
Where you sleep if things go wrong
Airbnb or a Premier Inn near the new address is the standard fallback. Cover of this cost is usually available under your home-move contingency insurance if you added it — worth £15–£30 as an add-on for chain moves.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
- What happens if my house move is delayed on the day?
- The crew waits without extra charge for delays under 3 hours. Longer delays trigger the firm's overnight contingency — usually loading the lorry and holding it in a secure depot overnight. If completion collapses, possessions move into short-term secure storage.
- Do I have to pay extra if my removal is delayed?
- Not for delays caused by legal completion timing under 3 hours — the fixed price covers it. Overnight-in-lorry storage may attract a small fee (£150–£300) if completion is delayed to the next day. Full-week storage is charged at the standard weekly rate.
- What happens to my belongings if completion falls through on move day?
- Apex moves your possessions straight into our secure, alarmed, CCTV-monitored storage facility — free for the first 3 days, then a fixed weekly rate until your new completion. Access with 24 hours' notice at any time.
Planning a move? Get a fixed price today.
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