Start a Man with a Van Business — 2026

Starting a man with a van business is one of the more accessible routes into self-employment. Startup costs are relatively low, there's consistent demand, and you're not tied to an employer's schedule. But like any business, doing it properly from the start makes the difference between something sustainable and a costly mistake. Here's what you need to know.

Step 1 — Choose the right van

Your van is your business. The two most common choices for removal and delivery work are:

• Transit-sized van (LWB): Versatile, cheaper to run, fits in most car parks. Good for small moves, furniture delivery, and man with van work. Payload around 1,000–1,200kg.
• Luton van: Much more capacity (14–17 cubic metres vs 8–11), essential for house moves. More expensive to fuel and operate, can't park everywhere. Payload around 1,000–1,500kg depending on spec.

If you want to do house removals seriously, you'll eventually need a Luton. Starting with a transit and building up is a sensible approach if capital is limited.

Buy used rather than new — a well-maintained van 3–5 years old gives you reliability without the depreciation hit of new. Budget £8,000–£18,000 for a decent used Luton van.

Step 2 — Sort your insurance (non-negotiable)

Standard car or van insurance does not cover you for carrying other people's goods for money. You need:

• Commercial vehicle insurance: Replaces your standard van insurance. Covers the vehicle for business use. Expect to pay £1,200–£3,500/year depending on age, experience, and vehicle.
• Goods in Transit (GIT) insurance: Covers loss or damage to customers' belongings while in your vehicle. Without this, a single claim could wipe you out. Get at least £10,000 cover — £25,000–£50,000 is more appropriate for house moves.
• Public Liability insurance: Covers damage to customers' property or injury to third parties during a job. £1,000,000 minimum. Often bundled with GIT.

Shop around — specialist haulage and courier insurance brokers typically offer better combined policies than mainstream insurers.

Step 3 — Register as self-employed

You must register with HMRC as self-employed (sole trader) before you start earning. Do this through the HMRC website — it takes about 10 minutes. You'll file a Self Assessment tax return annually and pay income tax and Class 4 National Insurance on your profits.

Keep records of every job, fuel receipt, van expense, and insurance premium — these are all allowable business expenses that reduce your tax bill.

Step 4 — Get the right equipment

You don't need much to start, but the basics make a real difference:

• Furniture blankets / moving pads (minimum 6–10)
• A good sack truck / dolly
• Straps and ratchet ties
• Shrink wrap / stretch film
• Basic toolkit for furniture disassembly

Total startup equipment cost: £200–£500 if you buy sensibly second-hand.

Step 5 — Find your first customers

This is where most new drivers struggle. Options:

• Job bidding platforms: Sites like We Got The Move let you browse real customer jobs and bid directly. No upfront cost, no subscription — you pay nothing until a customer accepts your bid. Good for getting started quickly.
• Local Facebook groups: Community and marketplace groups generate local removal requests. Respond quickly and professionally.
• Google Business Profile: Set up a free Google Business listing so you appear in local searches for "man with van [your town]".
• Word of mouth: Your first 5–10 customers, done well, will generate referrals. Reviews are gold early on.

How much can you earn?

A realistic expectation for a sole trader doing 4 jobs per week at an average of £200 per job:

• Gross income: ~£40,000/year
• Less van costs, insurance, fuel, equipment: ~£15,000–£20,000
• Net profit (before tax): ~£20,000–£25,000 in year one

With experience, reviews, and a Luton van, average job values rise — a 3-bedroom house move is typically £400–£800. Experienced drivers with strong reviews doing full days can clear £40,000–£60,000 net profit.

Zero-commission platforms vs commission-based ones

Some job platforms (Shiply, AnyVan) charge 10–20% commission on every job you win. On a £300 job, that's £30–£60 gone before you've earned anything. We Got The Move charges the customer a flat £9.99 introduction fee instead — your quote goes straight into your pocket.

Ready to find your first jobs? Create your free driver account on We Got The Move — takes less than 2 minutes.