Removals firm Britannia Movers International is warning that the old-fashioned 30-day slot between exchange of contracts and completion has all but disappeared.

Traditionally, householders could rely on a full month’s grace to arrange removals firms and pack everything.

But Gavin McCarthy, sales director for BMI says computer technology has made the whole process much faster – leaving some families trying to book removals firms in a bit of a rush.

He says: “Today the traditional 30-day period is no more. Now, because computer technology has speeded up the whole process, the formalities can be completed much quicker – sometimes completion can be achieved on the same day as exchange. The problem is that this contraction of the process leaves no time at all for doing those essentials. One of which, of course, is booking your moving company.

“We are quite used to working at short notice but, even with our resources, schedules can become a little hectic. Fridays especially, the most popular day to move home, can become very busy and short notice bookings can become a problem.”

Gavin recommends telling your solicitor and estate agent know that you require at least two weeks between exchange and completion and to insist upon it.

If that isn’t possible then at least alert your moving company early and even if you are unable to give a precise date, book a provisional date and confirm it as soon as you know for certain.

Gavin added: “We always try to be as accommodating as we can. Technology is wonderful but, in this case, it can get in the way. Unless customers control the process themselves, they can’t always rely on the natural flow of events to do it for them.”