If you're moving house, and you don't need a full removals team, you may be considering hiring a man with a van.
It's important to find out what's included in this service, so there are no last minute surprises. This individual will be moving everything you own, so you need to be confident that your items will arrive safely.
What does man with a van moving involve?
A man with a van service provides you with a van and one or two drivers who will transport your belongings.
These services are best suited for smaller and short distance moves.
Before hiring a man with a van for your house move, have a look at the questions you should be asking.
House Move Quote
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Is it a fixed quote? Ask whether the price your man with a van has quoted you is a fixed price and won’t increase when you come to pay after your house move. Make sure you are aware of any additional costs that may be added, such as petrol costs or waiting times.
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How will I be charged? Find out whether the price of your move will be by the hour, day, or job. It's important that you know if your move will be charged by the hour, as any delays might affect the cost of moving of your items. Delays can include traffic problems or waiting for the keys for your new property.
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Will they view the items I need to move? The person you hire needs a realistic understanding of what you need to move. And it's always easy to forget things! A pre-move survey will make the man with a van aware of the volume of items you need transporting to your new home, as well as flagging up any items that may need specialist equipment (e.g. pianos) or a second person.
Vehicle
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Will a suitable vehicle be used? You’ll be more confident of your movers arriving with a large enough vehicle if your man with a van conducts a pre-move survey, mentioned above. An overweight vehicle may be pulled over by VOSA, and subsequently impounded, so it is important the van moving your items is not overloaded. You’ll also want to be sure that the van is in a good condition.
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Will the house move take more than one trip? This will be affected by the size of the vehicle. If you are moving locally it may not be a problem to make multiple trips, but make sure that the quote takes this into consideration. If you’re moving over a long distance this won’t be appropriate, so make sure you are aware of the logistics of your moving day.
Moving Team
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How many people will work on my move? If you’re moving the entire contents of a large house, a one man and van team may not be suitable to get you out of your current house in time.
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Will the team be uniformed? You’ll want to feel comfortable with the moving team, as they’ll be taking care of your items and will be in your home, and a uniform does help assure you that the people moving you are representing the company.
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Will I have to help with the lifting? If your man with a van team is only one person, to ensure the day runs to schedule you may have to help with loading and unloading the van. Ask your movers if this is something you’ll have to do in advance; it may give you time to ask around friends and family to help.
Equipment and Additional Services
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Will protective covers be used? Professional removal companies will use specialist equipment to ensure your items are protected during your move. Find out what your man with a van has available, and whether they will be used for your house move.
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Will packing boxes be provided? You’ll need to know this in advance to give you time to collect or buy your own if necessary.
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Will you organise parking permits? If you currently live in, or are moving to, an area that has parking restrictions, you’ll need to organise parking permits for the removals vehicle. Many removal companies can do this for you, so find out if your man with a van will organise obtaining parking permits.
Company Information
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Can I see your insurance? You’ll want to know the level of removals insurance available. Many home insurance policies will cover accidental damage or loss during a move, but this is only if you are using a professional removal company.
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Do you have any customer reviews? Finding out the experience of other home movers with the man with a van you are considering can help you decide which company to use, and whether you’ll have a positive house move.
Could a removals firm be just as affordable?
Many people look to man and van services because they think it will be cheaper. But if you've got a lot to move, especially items of high value that require careful handling, hiring a removals team can be a better option.
An experienced team can get you packed up and moving much quicker and can give you peace of mind that your items are safely packed.
You can easily check reviews and compare quotes for local, respected companies.
You can also view genuine customer feedback with us for the companies you get quotes from to help you select a removal firm.
Man and van FAQs
Can I travel with a man with a van?
This will depend on your man with a van. Many vans will have a spare seat available for you to travel with the movers. Ask in advance to check with your driver if this option is available for you.
What insurance does a man with a van have?
A man and van should have their van insured and should be covered for commercial use. They should also have goods in transit insurance and public liability insurance to cover any items when they’re in the van.
It is important to be aware that many man and van companies will have limited liability and you may need to arrange additional cover.
You should check what your contents insurance covers as well as the man and van service provider’s insurance to check what these policies cover you for.
How much is a man and van service in the UK?
Prices will vary from provider to provider. Quotes will depend on if they charge hourly, by the day, or by the job. It’s important to do your research and compare prices before settling for a service.
Updated April 2024