Price Guide

How Much Does a Man & Van Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

Adjust prices for your property size

Adjusts prices for: House Clearance (1-Bed)

National pricing

Man & Van Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Man & Van (Per Hour, Local)

Low

£30

Average

£40

High

£55

per hour (2hr minimum typical)

More details

One man with a van for local moves and deliveries. Most charge a 2-hour minimum. Ideal for small jobs like moving a few boxes, collecting purchases or shifting furniture between rooms.

What affects the price

  • Van size (SWB, LWB or Luton)
  • Whether loading help is needed
  • Parking availability at both ends
  • Time of day (evenings and weekends cost more)

Half Day Hire (Up to 4 Hours)

Low

£100

Average

£150

High

£200

up to 4 hours

More details

Half day man and van hire suitable for small flat moves, multiple deliveries or a house clearance. Gives enough time for loading, driving and unloading without rushing.

What affects the price

  • Distance between locations
  • Amount of items to move
  • Stairs or lift access
  • Whether packing assistance is needed

Full Day Hire (Up to 8 Hours)

Low

£200

Average

£280

High

£380

up to 8 hours

More details

Full day hire for larger moves or multiple drop-offs. Enough time to load a full van, drive across town and unload without time pressure.

What affects the price

  • Distance between locations
  • Volume of items to move
  • Number of collection or delivery locations
  • Loading and unloading help required

Studio / 1-Bed Flat Move (Local)

Low

£150

Average

£220

High

£300

2-4 hours

More details

Typical small flat move within the same city. Usually manageable with one man and a van. Includes loading, transport and unloading at the new address.

~95% labour, ~5% materials

What affects the price

  • Floor level (stairs vs lift access)
  • Distance between properties
  • Amount of furniture and boxes
  • Parking availability at both ends

2-Bed House Move (Local)

Low

£250

Average

£350

High

£450

4-6 hours

More details

Moving the contents of a 2-bedroom house within the same city. Usually needs a larger van (Luton) or two trips. Some companies send two men for this size move.

~96% labour, ~4% materials

What affects the price

  • Amount of furniture and belongings
  • Access at both properties
  • Distance between addresses
  • Whether furniture needs disassembling

Single Item Delivery (Local)

Low

£30

Average

£50

High

£80

1-2 hours

More details

Collecting and delivering a single large item like a sofa, fridge or wardrobe. Quick and affordable alternative to booking a full removal service.

What affects the price

  • Item size and weight
  • Distance between collection and delivery
  • Stairs at either end
  • Time and day of collection

Furniture Collection (eBay/Gumtree)

Low

£30

Average

£50

High

£80

1-2 hours

More details

Picking up purchased items from a seller and delivering to your home. Popular for marketplace buys where the seller cannot deliver.

What affects the price

  • Distance to the seller
  • Item size and weight
  • Seller availability and access
  • Return trip distance

IKEA / Store Delivery

Low

£40

Average

£60

High

£100

1-3 hours

More details

Collecting flat-pack or bulky items from stores and delivering to your home. Often cheaper than the store's own delivery service, especially for multiple items.

What affects the price

  • Distance from store to your home
  • Number and size of items
  • Whether assembly is needed (add-on service)
  • Time of day and day of week

House Clearance (1-Bed)

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£500

3-5 hours

More details

Clearing all contents from a property including loading and disposal or recycling. Commonly needed for probate, end of tenancy or downsizing.

~93% labour, ~7% materials

What affects the price

  • Volume of items to clear
  • Whether hazardous waste is involved
  • Skip or tip disposal costs
  • Recycling versus landfill requirements

Office Move (Small, 2-3 Desks)

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£350

2-4 hours

More details

Small office relocation including desks, chairs, IT equipment and files. Price covers loading, transport and unloading but not IT disconnection or reconnection.

~96% labour, ~4% materials

What affects the price

  • Amount of office equipment
  • IT disconnection and reconnection needs
  • Distance between offices
  • Building access (lift, loading bay, stairs)

Long Distance Move (100+ Miles)

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£700

full day

More details

One-way long distance move where fuel costs are significant. Some operators charge a flat rate while others bill hourly plus mileage. The return journey empty is often factored into the price.

~97% labour, ~3% materials

What affects the price

  • Total distance in miles
  • Volume of items to move
  • Van size needed (SWB, LWB or Luton)
  • Whether return journey is factored in

Student Move

Low

£80

Average

£130

High

£200

1-3 hours

More details

Moving student belongings to or from university accommodation. Typically less volume than a full flat move, often just boxes, a desk and a bed.

What affects the price

  • Distance between home and university
  • Floor level of accommodation
  • Amount of belongings
  • Term-time parking restrictions

Popular locations

Man & Van Costs by City

London

£35–£70

Birmingham

£30–£50

Leeds

£30–£55

Glasgow

£30–£60

Sheffield

£30–£55

Manchester

£30–£55

Bradford

£25–£50

Edinburgh

£35–£65

Liverpool

£30–£55

Bristol

£30–£60

Coventry

£30–£55

Leicester

£25–£45

Local pricing

Find Man & Van Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local man & van pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Man & Van (Per Hour, Local) by City

Average cost of man & van (per hour, local) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £50
Manchester
-2% £40
Birmingham
-7% £35
Glasgow
+5% £40
Bristol
+7% £45
Leeds
-3% £40
Cardiff
-2% £40
Belfast
-13% £35

Overview

What Does a Man & Van Do?

A man & van provides professional services covering man and van hire for small moves, furniture delivery, house clearance and courier jobs. They cover a range of services from straightforward options to more complex, bespoke work. Choosing the right driver ensures you get quality results and a professional experience.

You should hire a man & van whenever you need specialist expertise or professional-grade results. The right driver brings experience, proper equipment, and industry knowledge that makes a real difference to the outcome.

Pricing for man & van services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a man & van, always get at least three quotes from different removal companies. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check insurance cover and itemised quotes. A reputable driver will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a man & van.

Removals UK price guide £250–£600 Skip Hire UK price guide £80–£200 End-of-Tenancy Cleaning UK price guide £200–£450 Cleaning UK price guide £25–£45 Driving Lessons UK price guide £28–£40 Car Mechanic UK price guide £54.85–£54.85 Car Body Repair UK price guide £100–£350 Handyman UK price guide £40–£120

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about man & van costs in the UK.

What is the difference between a man and van and a removal company?
A man and van is typically one or two people with a single van, ideal for small moves, single item deliveries or student moves. A removal company provides a larger team with a bigger vehicle, packing services and insurance for the full contents. For a full house move, a removal company is usually the better choice.
How much can fit in a standard van?
A large Luton van (the most common for moves) typically holds the contents of a one-bedroom flat, or about 2-3 rooms of furniture. A long-wheelbase transit van is smaller and suits single items or studio flat moves. For a 2-3 bedroom house, you will likely need multiple trips or a larger vehicle.
Do I need to help with the loading and unloading?
Most man and van services include loading and unloading as part of the price. However, if you are booking the cheapest possible service, check whether it is driver-only (you do the lifting) or includes a helper. Having an extra person makes a significant difference to the speed and safety of the move.
Is my stuff insured during a man and van move?
Many man and van operators have goods in transit insurance, but cover levels vary. Always ask to see proof of insurance before booking and check the maximum claim value. For valuable items, consider taking out your own transit insurance or checking whether your home contents insurance covers items during a move.
How far in advance should I book a man and van?
For a planned move, booking 1-2 weeks ahead usually gets you a good choice of dates and times. End-of-month dates are the busiest due to tenancy changeovers, so book earlier for those. For urgent same-day or next-day jobs, many operators can accommodate at short notice, though you may pay a premium.
Is a man and van cheaper than a removal company?
For a studio or 1-bed flat, a man and van is typically 40-60% cheaper than a removal company. For a 3-bed house, the saving narrows because you may need multiple trips or extra helpers. A removal company is usually better value for larger moves because they bring a bigger team and vehicle.
What should I not put in a man and van?
Most operators will not transport hazardous materials like gas bottles, paint, chemicals, or petrol. Very high-value items like fine art or antiques are better sent with a specialist courier who offers appropriate insurance cover. Check with your operator if you have anything unusual.
Do I need to tip the driver?
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated, especially if the driver has been helpful with heavy lifting or navigated difficult stairs. A round-up of the bill or £10-£20 is common for a good job. If you booked through an app, a positive review is equally valuable to the driver.
Can a man and van collect from IKEA or other stores?
Yes, this is one of the most popular uses. Many man and van operators offer store collection and delivery, which is often cheaper and more flexible than the store's own delivery service. Some will even go inside the store and help you load. Agree a flat price for the trip rather than an hourly rate.
How much does a man & van cost in the UK?
The most common man & van job, man & van (per hour, local), costs between £30 and £55 nationally, with an average of £40. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects man & van prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable man & van?
Get at least three quotes from different removal companies, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check insurance cover and itemised quotes.
Do man & van prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some removal companies break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a man & van?
Demand for man & van services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.