booking removal when we don't know completion date?!

[runningLou]

We are in a very small chain - we've already sold and are in rented, the seller of the house we're buying is moving into a new build. However, the seller's solicitor is inept and has still not supplied paperwork ... Anyway, we won the house by sealed bid and from submitting our bid have stated we need to complete on 14th August as that's when tenancy is up on our rental house. We can't extend as landlord has now sold the house.
This is less than 2 weeks away and we still don't have a firm date for completion - we know seller wants a week between exchange and completion which means completing next week, but no idea if this is feasible due to outstanding forms etc.
I've never booked a removal firm before - all previous moves have been ad hoc with a man and van, but this is the real deal, moving over 100 miles. Don't know what I'm doing ... help please!!!!!

Oops - that should obviously say 'which means exchanging next week'!

Call the Removals company and speak to them about what they can offer you. I promise that you will not be the first people you have dealt with in this position. I hope it all goes smoothly.

I'd also be chasing up your conveyancer to find out whether moving in a fortnight is feasible.

Unfortunately completion dates frequently fall by the wayside as removal companies well know. You won't be able to get one to hold the date for you. I would suggest you have a few quotes in and keep in touch with them regarding your potential dates and their availability

A lot of removal firms will "pencil" you in for a certain date but until you have exchanged you cannot confirm that it is a firm date. If there is still paperwork outstanding, you should probably think about where you will stay if the completion date is delayed. Unfortunately, although your solicitor knows you need to complete on the 14th August, others in the chain might not be aware and if paperwork has not been finalised, you won't be exchanging until it does. Be aware also, that some solicitors will charge an expedition fee for exchanging and completing with less than two weeks between them.