I get asked this question constantly. And the frustrating answer is: it depends. I know, I know - not helpful. But stick with me, because once you understand what affects the price, you'll know roughly what to expect and how to avoid getting ripped off.
Moving stuff from A to B seems straightforward enough, doesn't it? But the cost can vary massively depending on where you're going, what you're moving, and when you're doing it. I've seen quotes for identical moves differ by £100 or more.
So let's break down what you're actually paying for and what you should expect in 2026.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Hiring a Man with a Van
What affects how much you'll pay?
Several things influence what a man with a van will charge you. Some are obvious, others less so.
Distance matters. Obviously.
The further you're going, the more it costs. Makes sense - more fuel, more time, more wear on the van. A five-mile trip across town will cost significantly less than a 50-mile journey between cities.
Some companies charge per mile after a certain distance. Others have fixed rates for local moves and different pricing for longer trips. Worth asking how they calculate it before you book.
Van size makes a difference
Not all vans are created equal. A small van (think Ford Transit Connect) costs less than a large Luton van. Bigger vans need more fuel, cost more to insure, and in some cases require different licensing.
If you've only got a few boxes and a couple of bags, you don't need a massive van. But if you're moving a two-bed flat's worth of furniture, you'll need something bigger. Using the wrong size van is a false economy - either you'll need multiple trips or nothing will fit.
We've got a van size calculator if you're not sure what you need. Saves a lot of hassle.
When you move affects what you pay
Weekends cost more. End of month costs more. Summer costs more. Peak times mean higher prices because everyone wants to move then.
If you can move on a Tuesday afternoon in February, you'll pay less than moving on a Saturday in July. I've seen the difference be 30-40% for the exact same move, just different dates.
Evenings can cost more too, though some companies charge a flat hourly rate regardless of time. Again, worth asking.
Extra services bump up the price
Just want someone to drive the van while you load and unload? That's the basic service and the cheapest option.
Need help with heavy lifting? That costs more. Want them to pack your stuff? More again. Need storage for a few days? You guessed it.
Some people are shocked when they get a quote that's higher than they expected, but then you find out they want full packing service, three blokes, and help dismantling furniture. That's not the same as a basic man with a van.
So what does it actually cost in 2026?
Right, the bit you actually want to know.
Inflation's been sitting around 2-3% lately, which affects transport costs like everything else. Fuel's gone up, insurance has gone up, everything costs a bit more than it did a couple of years ago.
In London
London's expensive. Surprise.
You're looking at roughly £45 to £110 per hour for a man with a van service in London. The variation depends on van size, time of day, and whether you need one person or two.
Basic service with a small van and one driver? You're probably at the lower end, around £45-£60 per hour. Large van with two people to help with heavy lifting? You're looking at £80-£110 per hour.
I've seen some people charge less, but then you check their reviews and there's a reason they're cheap. Van turns up late, stuff gets damaged, they add surprise charges at the end. Not worth it.
Outside London
Prices drop a bit once you're outside the capital. Average range is more like £40 to £95 per hour.
Again, this depends on what you need. Small local move with minimal help? Lower end. Big move with multiple trips and heavy furniture? Higher end.
Full-service professional moves (not just man with a van, but proper removal companies) can run anywhere from £350 to £1,000+ depending on the size of your move. That's for the whole job, not hourly.
If you're doing a DIY move where you've packed everything yourself and just need transport, you might pay £150-£600 total. Depends entirely on how much stuff you've got and how far you're going.
The two-hour minimum (and why it exists)
Nearly every man with a van service has a two-hour minimum charge. This catches people out constantly.
What it means is: even if your move only takes 90 minutes, you're paying for two hours. Even if it takes 45 minutes, you're paying for two hours.
Why? Because they need to make it worth their while. They've driven to you, loaded up, driven to the destination, unloaded, and driven back. That's their morning or afternoon gone, even if the actual moving bit was quick.
Some people get annoyed about this, but it's fairly standard across the industry. You wouldn't expect a plumber to charge you for 20 minutes of work when they've spent an hour getting to you and back, would you?
Not every company does this though. Some charge differently - flat rates for certain distances, or they negotiate based on the specifics of your job. Always ask about minimum charges before you book so there's no confusion on the day.
How to find a decent man with a van without paying over the odds
Finding someone reliable who won't charge you silly money isn't as hard as you might think. Just requires a bit of effort upfront.
Do your homework
Look up different man with a van services in your area. Check their reviews - actual reviews from real people, not the obviously fake five-star ones with generic comments.
On URemovals, all the reviews are verified from actual bookings. Makes it easier to spot who's reliable and who's dodgy.
Book ahead if you can
Last-minute bookings almost always cost more. If you book a few weeks in advance, you'll usually get a better rate. Companies would rather lock in work than gamble on filling their schedule later.
I know sometimes you can't plan ahead - emergencies happen, deals fall through, life gets in the way. But if you've got the luxury of time, use it.
Be flexible with timing
If you can move on a weekday instead of Saturday, do it. If you can do a Tuesday morning instead of Friday evening, even better.
Mid-week, mid-month moves are almost always cheaper. I've saved people £100+ just by suggesting they shift their move date by three days.
Get multiple quotes and compare properly
Don't just look at the price. Look at what's included, check their reviews, see if they're insured.
A quote that's £20 cheaper but from a company with terrible reviews isn't actually cheaper if they turn up two hours late and damage your stuff.
We make this easier - you fill in your details once and get quotes from multiple companies. Saves ringing around explaining yourself to five different people.
Ask about discounts
Students, NHS workers, teachers - lots of companies offer discounts but won't mention it unless you ask. Just bring it up when you're getting a quote.
What's the worst that can happen? They say no and you pay the same price you would've anyway.
Think about doing some of it yourself
If you pack everything and have it ready to go, that's quicker and therefore cheaper than having them wait while you chuck things in boxes.
If you can handle the small stuff yourself and just need help with furniture and appliances, that reduces what you're paying for.
Obviously don't try to move a three-piece suite down a flight of stairs by yourself just to save £40. That's how you end up in A&E. But there's a sensible middle ground for most people.
Booking through URemovals (since you asked)
People ask how this works, so here's the straightforward version.
Get a quote
Go to our moving page and fill in the form. Takes about a minute. You tell us where you're going, what you're moving, when you need it done.
Compare what comes back
You'll get quotes from different companies. All verified, all insured, all with reviews from actual customers.
Pick based on price, reviews, availability - whatever matters most to you. Some people want the cheapest option, others want the highest-rated company even if it costs a bit more. Up to you.
Book it
Once you've chosen, book it online. You'll get confirmation and all the details you need.
Sort your stuff out
Before moving day, pack everything properly and label it clearly. The more organised you are, the quicker it goes.
If you're worried about damage, you can get extra insurance. Most people don't need it, but it's there if you want peace of mind.
Wait for them to turn up
On the day, your driver arrives at the agreed time (assuming you've picked a reliable company - check those reviews). They help load everything, transport it safely, help you unload at the other end.
Done.
The whole process is pretty straightforward. No hidden fees, no complicated contracts, no sales calls trying to upsell you on stuff you don't need.
What you should actually expect to pay
To give you some real numbers:
Small local move (few miles, small van, couple of hours):
- London: £90-£120
- Elsewhere: £80-£110
Medium move (across town, medium van, 3-4 hours):
- London: £180-£280
- Elsewhere: £160-£240
Larger move (between cities, big van, full day):
- London: £400-£600
- Elsewhere: £350-£500
These are rough guides. Your actual cost depends on all the factors we talked about earlier. But if someone quotes you wildly outside these ranges, either they're including loads of extra services or something's off.
Don't just go for the cheapest
I know I've spent this whole article talking about saving money, but genuinely - the cheapest quote isn't always the best value.
If everyone's quoting around £200 and someone comes in at £120, there's usually a reason. Maybe they're brilliant and just trying to build their business. More likely, they'll turn up late in a knackered van and do a half-decent job.
We show you reviews for exactly this reason. A company charging £220 with 50 five-star reviews is better value than one charging £180 with multiple complaints about damaged furniture and hidden charges.
Right, that's everything
Man with a van costs vary, but now you know what affects the price and roughly what to expect in 2026.
For most people, you're looking at £40-£100 per hour depending on location and what you need. Factor in the two-hour minimum, add a bit of buffer for unexpected delays, and you won't be far off.
If you need a quote for your move, chuck your details into URemovals and see what comes back. Takes a minute, no obligation, and you'll have proper prices from verified companies within hours.
And if you want more help planning your move, we've got a moving checklist, van size guide, and our money-saving tips that might be useful.
Need a man with a van in your area? We work with hundreds of drivers across the UK - London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, and everywhere else.
