Man and Van: UK pricing & hiring guide

A man and van is the practical way to move furniture, do a small house move, or shift a single bulky item across town or across the country. What you pay varies widely depending on the van, the access, and how carefully the job is done — here's what to expect on price, what insurance to check, and how to pick a driver who actually turns up.

What does a man and van cost in the UK?

As a rough guide, most UK man-and-van jobs price like this:

• Local jobs (under 10 miles): £40–£80 for a single item, £80–£180 for a small flat or a few large pieces.
• Regional (10–100 miles): typically £150–£350 depending on volume and access.
• Long-distance (100+ miles): usually £300–£700, with one-way and return-leg jobs cheaper than dedicated runs.
• Hourly rates: £35–£60/hour with one driver, £55–£90/hour for two people.

Prices vary with van size (SWB, LWB, Luton), distance, time of day, stairs/lifts at both ends, and how easy parking is. Weekends, end-of-month and bank holidays carry a premium.

The spread within each band matters more than the headline figure. At the lower end you're usually getting one driver who expects help loading, and insurance you'll need to check yourself. At the upper end you're paying for a two-person team, blankets and proper protection, goods-in-transit cover as standard, and someone who tells you when they're coming. Both are "a man and van" — they are very different days.

How to verify goods-in-transit insurance

A standard car or van policy does not cover the contents you're carrying for someone else. Before you book, ask the driver for:

• Goods-in-transit (GIT) cover — protects your items while they're in the van. Check the cover limit (£10k is common, £25k+ for bigger jobs).
• Hire & reward / commercial vehicle insurance — required to legally carry goods for payment.
• Public liability — protects you if the driver damages your property (a wall, a floor, the staircase).

Ask for the policy certificate (not just a screenshot of a renewal email) and check the policy is in date. On ChooseYourVan, approved transporters submit these documents before they can bid.

Tips for choosing a reliable man and van

• Look for verified reviews from completed jobs, not just star ratings.
• Check the driver has handled jobs similar to yours (pianos, fridges, flat-pack vs assembled furniture, stairs).
• Get the price agreed in writing before the job — including whether VAT, congestion charge, ULEZ and parking are extra.
• Confirm the van size matches your inventory. A SWB Transit is roughly 5–7 cubic metres; a Luton with tail-lift is 18+.
• Be wary of quotes that are dramatically below the rest — they often "discover" extra charges on the day.

Ready to get quotes?

Post your job on ChooseYourVan and approved UK transporters will bid on it. Compare prices, read reviews, and pay a deposit through our website to secure the quote.