How much does a man with a van cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per hour
£30 – £60
A man with a van in the UK typically costs £30–£60 an hour, usually with a two-hour minimum. Larger jobs are priced as half or full days, and a second person adds roughly £10–£20 an hour. Check what insurance is in place before booking: standard van insurance does not cover your belongings, and goods in transit cover is a separate policy.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate (one person) | £30 – £60 |
| Two-person crew | +£10 – £20 per hour |
| Minimum booking | 2 hours |
| Half day | £150 – £250 |
| Full day | £250 – £450 |
| Mileage outside local area | £1 – £2 per mile |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Check the insurance — this is the important bit
A van's motor insurance covers the vehicle. It does not cover the contents. What covers your belongings is goods in transit insurance, and it is a separate policy that not every operator holds.
Ask directly: do you have goods in transit cover, what is the limit, and does it cover items I have packed myself. Many policies exclude self-packed boxes or limit cover for them, which matters if you have packed everything yourself to save money.
Ask about public liability too — that covers damage to the property rather than to your possessions, which is the more likely mishap on a narrow staircase.
The cheapest quotes in this trade very often come from operators with neither. That is the trade-off you are actually making, and it only matters once.
How the price is built
Hourly with a minimum is the standard. The clock usually starts when they arrive and stops when the last item is off the van, though some charge from base — worth clarifying.
A second person costs less than doubling the rate and often more than halves the time, so for anything with heavy items or stairs it frequently works out cheaper overall as well as safer.
Distance and access shape the rest. Long carries from the door, upper floors without a lift, restricted parking and narrow stairs all add time. Tell them upfront — an accurate quote depends on it, and a surprise on the day means either a longer bill or a job that does not fit the slot.
Congestion charges, ULEZ and similar clean air zone charges are normally passed on. Ask if your route involves any.
Van size and what fits
The most common mistake is booking a van that is too small, discovering it on the day, and paying for a second trip.
Roughly: a small van suits a few items or a single room's worth. A LWB Transit-sized van handles a small flat. A Luton with a tail lift handles a one or two-bedroom home. Anything larger is a removals lorry rather than a man with a van.
Send photographs or a room-by-room list when booking. Experienced operators are good at judging volume from that and will tell you honestly if you need a bigger van or two trips.
If you are moving a washing machine, remember the transit bolts — machines moved without them can be damaged, and that is a common and avoidable loss.
How to keep the cost down
Be completely packed and ready before they arrive. Paying an hourly crew to wait while you finish is the most expensive packing help available.
Dismantle furniture in advance where you can, and keep the fixings labelled.
Move small boxes yourself to the front door or ground floor. The carry is often longer than the drive.
Book midweek and outside month end. The last Friday of the month is the busiest and dearest slot in the industry.
And get quotes from photographs rather than descriptions, so the price you are given is the price you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a man with a van cost?+
£30–£60 an hour typically, with a two-hour minimum. Half days run £150–£250 and full days £250–£450.
Is my stuff insured?+
Only if they hold goods in transit insurance, which is separate from van insurance and not universal. Ask about the limit and whether self-packed boxes are covered.
Is two people worth the extra?+
Usually. A second person adds £10–£20 an hour but often more than halves the time, particularly with heavy items or stairs — so it can cost less overall as well as being safer.
What size van do I need?+
A small van for a few items, a long-wheelbase van for a small flat, and a Luton with a tail lift for a one or two-bed home. Send photographs when booking and let them judge.
When does the clock start?+
Usually on arrival and stopping when the last item is unloaded, but some charge from their base. Worth clarifying before booking.
What is the cheapest time to book?+
Midweek and mid-month. The last Friday of the month is the busiest and most expensive slot in the removals trade.
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