For part loads, flats and single item jobs
How Man and Van Prices Are Worked Out
What you are really paying for, and how to avoid the classic small move overspend.
Man and van is the most misunderstood service in the trade. People ring expecting a simple hourly rate, then find that two firms quoting the same hourly figure charge wildly different totals for the same job.
The difference is almost always in what the clock includes. Here is how the pricing works from the inside.
Four things set the price
Load size against van capacity, the gap between collection and delivery, the carry at each end, and how long the job realistically takes including loading and securing. A tidy pile of boxes ready in a hallway is a different job to the same volume spread across three floors.
- Van size needed, from small van to Luton with tail lift
- One address to one address, or several stops
- Crew of one or two, which decides what can be lifted at all
- Waiting time, tolls, congestion and parking charges
Hourly, or a price for the job
Hourly suits short unpredictable work such as a tip run or a single collection nearby. A price for the whole job suits anything where you want certainty, particularly a studio or one bedroom move where a slow stairwell could otherwise double the bill.
Watch for whether travel time to your address and back to base is charged, whether there is a minimum booking, and how part hours are rounded. Those three details cause most of the surprises.
One man or two
A single driver cannot safely carry a sofa, a washing machine or a double mattress down stairs alone, and asking them to try is how property and people get damaged. If your load includes anything heavy, book two crew from the start rather than helping out on the day and hoping.
Where people overspend
The classic error is booking too small a van and paying for a second trip, which costs far more than the size upgrade would have. The second is not being ready, because loading cannot begin while you are still taping boxes.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
How much can a man and van actually fit?+
A long wheelbase van typically takes a studio or a well packed one bedroom flat, while a Luton with a tail lift handles a small house of furniture. Send a list and we will tell you which fits.
Is man and van cheaper than a removal company?+
For part loads and single items, yes. For a full family home it is usually more expensive once repeat trips are counted, so a planned removal wins.
Do I have to help with the lifting?+
No. Our crew does the carrying. Some customers help to save time, but the price assumes we do the work.
Can you collect from two addresses on one booking?+
Yes, where the addresses are reasonably close and the total load fits the van. Tell us both stops when you ask for a price.
How far in advance should I book?+
A week is comfortable for most small jobs. Weekends, month ends and university term changes fill earlier than people expect.
Read next
Man and Van or Full Removals: Which Do You Need?
A straight comparison, including the point where the cheaper option stops being cheaper.
Read the guideWhat Decides the Cost of a House Removal
The eight things a removal firm actually prices, and how to get a quote you can trust.
Read the guideReady for a fixed price quote?
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