Moving House Timeline: Exchange and Completion Dates

About 19 weeks from offer accepted. Many purchases take longer: Rightmove's July 2026 average was 154 days (about 22 weeks) from sale agreed to completion.

1. 1
   Mortgage application submittedAt the start

   Full application triggered after offer accepted

2. 2
   Searches orderedAbout week 1

   Conveyancer instructs immediately after offer accepted

3. 3
   Valuation completedAbout week 2

   Lender instructs valuation within 2-3 weeks

4. 4
   Mortgage offer issuedAbout week 4

   Typically 3-6 weeks post application

5. 5
   Searches returnedAbout week 5

   Local authority speed is the biggest variable

6. 6
   Enquiries resolved, ready to exchangeAbout week 16

   Chain length is the biggest driver here

7. 7
   Exchange of contractsAbout week 17

   Legally committed. Deposit (typically 10%) paid. Completion date set.

8. 8
   Completion dayAbout week 19

   Typically 1-2 weeks after exchange. Keys collected.

Timings follow the GOV.UK average of about 120 days from offer accepted to completion (Home buying and selling reform roadmap, June 2026) and Rightmove's July 2026 figures, with dates moved to the next working day (no weekends or England and Wales bank holidays). This follows the England and Wales process (Northern Ireland is broadly similar). In Scotland there is no exchange of contracts: the seller provides a Home Report, the deal becomes legally binding when missives are concluded, and you pay at settlement on the date of entry.