When you're planning a move, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to hire a man with a van or a full removal company. The short answer on cost: for moves up to a 2-bedroom home, a man and van is typically 30–40% cheaper. For larger family homes, a removal company's team and truck usually earn their premium. Here's the full breakdown.
Man and van vs removal company — UK cost table (2026)
Typical prices for a local move (under 50 miles) in 2026:
| Move size | Man and van | Removal company |
|---|---|---|
| Single item / part load | £50 – £120 | Rarely offered |
| Studio or bedsit | £150 – £300 | £250 – £350 |
| 1-bedroom flat | £200 – £400 | £300 – £500 |
| 2-bedroom flat or house | £300 – £550 | £450 – £800 |
| 3-bedroom house | Get quotes from both | £600 – £1,200 |
| 4+ bedroom house | Usually not practical | £900 – £2,000+ |
Man and van services also commonly charge by the hour — typically £35–£70 per hour depending on van size and number of helpers — while removal companies almost always quote a fixed price after a survey. For longer distances, add roughly 20–30% at 10–50 miles, 50–80% at 50–150 miles, and 80–150% beyond that (both services).
For a deeper dive into each side's pricing, see our guides to man with a van costs and average UK removal costs.
Why the price gap? What each service includes
| Man and van | Removal company | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Driver, sometimes +1 helper | Team of 2–4+ |
| Vehicle | Large or Luton van | Luton van up to full removal truck |
| Packing service | Rarely — you pack | Often available (typically £100–£300 extra) |
| Disassembly / reassembly | By arrangement | Usually included or offered |
| Insurance | Goods in Transit (check the limit) | Higher cover limits as standard |
| Booking | Flexible, often short notice | Pre-booked, surveyed, less flexible |
When to choose a man with a van
- You're moving a studio, 1, or 2-bedroom home
- You're moving a small number of large items (sofa, fridge, wardrobe)
- You're a student moving in or out of university accommodation
- You need flexibility on dates and times
- You're on a tighter budget
- You're doing a local move (under 50 miles)
When to choose a removal company
- You're moving a large family home (3+ bedrooms)
- You want a full packing and unpacking service
- You have high-value or specialist items (piano, antiques, art)
- You need full Goods in Transit insurance with a high cover limit
- You're doing a long-distance move and want professional project management
Is a man and van cheaper than a removal company?
Yes — for small and medium moves, consistently. On a 2-bedroom local move you'd typically pay £300–£550 with a man and van against £450–£800 with a removal firm. The gap comes from overheads: a sole-trader driver has no office, sales team, or fleet to fund. Where the maths flips is volume — once a move needs multiple van loads or a crew of three, a removal company's single trip with a bigger truck is often cheaper than a man and van doing three runs at an hourly rate.
When is a removal company worth the extra cost?
Three situations: large homes (3+ bedrooms) where a team and truck do in a day what a single van can't; moves needing a full packing service; and high-value contents where you want higher insurance limits and a surveyed, fixed-price quote. If none of those apply, you're likely paying for capacity you don't need.
The hybrid approach — compare both in one place
Many customers find the best of both worlds by posting on We Got The Move. You'll get bids from sole-trader drivers and small removal companies alike — so you can compare real prices for your actual job, read reviews, and pick whoever offers the best combination of price and service. Drivers here pay no commission on the job, so their bids tend to come in lower than on platforms that take a cut. Post your move free and see what both sides quote.
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