What to Do If There Is a Gap Between Selling and Buying
Chains rarely align perfectly. When your sale completes before your purchase you need somewhere for your belongings and somewhere for your family, and the two do not have to be the same place. Containerised storage plus a short let is the usual answer and it is cheaper than most people fear.
The short answer
- Containerised storage runs roughly £25 to £60 per container per week
- A three bedroom house is typically three to five containers
- Your goods stay sealed in the same containers from collection to delivery
- A short let, family, or a serviced flat covers the people side
- Bridging finance is fast but expensive and is a last resort
Option one: storage and a short let
This is what most families do. The crew load directly into wooden containers at your old house, the containers are sealed and warehoused and the same containers are delivered to your new home when the purchase completes. Nothing is double handled which means less risk of damage.
| Home size | Containers | Per week | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| One bed flat | 1 to 2 | £30 to £70 | £120 to £280 |
| Two bed house | 2 to 3 | £55 to £110 | £220 to £440 |
| Three bed house | 3 to 5 | £85 to £180 | £340 to £720 |
| Four bed house | 5 to 7 | £140 to £250 | £560 to £1,000 |
Where to live in between
Each option suits a different length of gap so start with how long you expect to wait.
- A few nights: hotel or serviced apartment
- One to four weeks: holiday let or Airbnb monthly rate
- One to six months: short assured shorthold tenancy or a company let
- Any length: family or friends which is free but tests everyone
- Renting back your old home from the buyer by agreement
Option two: negotiate the dates
Before accepting a gap ask your solicitor to push for a same day completion or a short delayed completion where the buyer agrees to complete now and let you stay a week. Both are common and cost nothing but goodwill and paperwork.
Option three: bridging finance
A bridging loan lets you buy before you sell. Rates are typically monthly rather than annual and there are arrangement and exit fees on top so it is expensive for anything beyond a few months. It makes sense when you would otherwise lose a property you really want and your sale is already close to exchange.
Practical planning for a gap move
Two moves need two plans and a little discipline about what stays with you.
- Pack a separate gap bag of clothes documents and essentials for the whole period
- Tell the storage provider anything you may need to retrieve so it is loaded last
- Insure the goods while in store which is usually a small percentage of value
- Keep the redirection running for the full period
- Give the removal company both dates as early as you can
Frequently asked questions
How much does storage cost between house moves?
Roughly £25 to £60 per container per week. A three bedroom house usually needs three to five containers.
Can I get to my belongings while they are in storage?
Containerised storage is warehoused so access needs notice and may carry a handling fee. Tell us in advance what you might need and it is kept accessible.
Is it cheaper to rent or use a bridging loan?
For a gap of a few weeks or months renting plus storage is almost always cheaper. Bridging suits short well defined gaps where a purchase would otherwise be lost.
Do I pay two lots of removal costs?
With containerised storage you pay one collection and one delivery plus the weekly storage which is normally cheaper than two separate full moves.
Planning a move?
BlueSky Removals gives fixed written prices after a free video or home survey. Call 0800 090 3125 or request a quote online.