Case study: moving house from Bradford to London, how it is usually planned

London is one of the longest moves we plan from Bradford. It is roughly 200 miles door to door, and the London end is usually harder than the Bradford end: tighter streets, stricter parking, more flats, and emission and congestion zones to plan around. A good move on this route is mostly about preparation. Here is how a move like this usually runs.

The route south

From Bradford the van takes the M606 to junction 26 of the M62, heads east to join the M1 at Lofthouse, and then follows the M1 almost all the way to north London. For some addresses in east London, the A1(M) and A1 can be a better option.

For a loaded lorry, the drive usually takes four to five hours, sometimes more. Traffic builds around Sheffield, Leicester and the southern end of the M1, and the last few miles into London can take as long as the motorway stretch. We check the route the day before and plan in a proper break.

One day or two?

This is the main decision on a London move.

• One day. Possible for flats and smaller homes. The crew arrives early in Bradford, loads in the morning and drives down, aiming to unload in the afternoon.
• Two days. Often better for family homes. The crew loads on day one, and delivery starts first thing on day two, before London traffic builds. Unloading is quicker and calmer, and there is less risk of arriving to find the parking space gone.

If you are buying, completion time matters too. Keys in London are often released around midday or later, and a van waiting outside for hours can be a problem on a busy street.

Access at the Bradford end

Before quoting, we ask about the Bradford home: parking, steps, narrow doors, steep streets, lifts in flats, and furniture that needs dismantling. Many Bradford terraces have tight on-street parking, so a parking suspension from Bradford Council may be worth arranging if the street is busy.

Access at the London end

London needs more planning than almost anywhere else. A move like this usually involves checking:

• Parking. Many streets are residents-only bays or controlled zones. A parking suspension from the borough council is often the only way to keep space for a lorry outside the door. Apply early, as councils need notice.
• Red routes and main roads. On busy main roads, stopping and loading may be restricted. If your new home is on one, tell us.
• Flats and lifts. Many London homes are flats. Check whether there is a lift, whether it can be booked, how big it is, and whether there is a loading bay or concierge to tell.
• Emission and congestion zones. The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all London boroughs, and the Congestion Charge applies in central London at set times. You can check both on the TfL website. We plan the vehicle with these in mind.

Packing for a long move

A long motorway run followed by stop-start London traffic is hard on a badly packed load. A move like this usually goes best when:

1. Boxes are strong and filled well so they do not crush.
2. Heavy items go in small boxes, light items in large ones.
3. Fragile items are wrapped individually and marked.
4. Every box is labelled with the room it is going to, which matters even more in a flat with stairs.
5. An essentials box travels with you: kettle, mugs, chargers, bedding, toilet roll and medicines.

Many people book our packing service for a London move, so everything is wrapped to travel safely.

Cover and paperwork

Goods in transit cover is available to buy with your move, which is worth considering for a long trip. Our guide to choosing house removal insurance explains the options.

What affects the cost

The cost of a Bradford to London move depends on the volume of your belongings, the distance, the number of crew, access and parking at both ends, packing, and whether the move runs over one day or two. We do not publish set prices, but our moving cost calculator gives a rough range.

Booking your London move

Give as much notice as you can, especially for month ends and summer. Read about our long distance removals service, then get a free quote online or call 08000862860. Quotes are free and valid for 3 months, and cancellations more than 72 hours before the move carry no charge, apart from any materials or set-up costs.