Removal Van

Removal Van Prices

The prices for removal van hires and man with a van services are generally quoted hourly or daily. Most companies, however, impose a 2-hour minimum charge for the moving van and have other charges in half-hour increments after the 2 hours is exceeded. The hourly price can start at £40 and arrive at £135.

Other companies offer fixed rates, usually for larger, long-distance removals. You might also face additional removal costs depending on the extra services you require.

Average Hourly Man With a Van Rates

Type of Van	1 Man	2 Men	3 Men	4 Men
Transit Van	£40	£54	£73	£95
Luton Van	£48	£58	£76	£100
Luton Lorry	£92	£106	£120	£135

Average Rates to Hire a Van for a Day

Type of Van	Loading Capacity	Price Range
Medium Wheel Base	8 - 10.4 m3	£43 - £53
Long Wheel Base	12 - 14 m3	£63 - £85
Luton	15.1 m3	£85 - £108
Luton Lorry	26.3 m3	£128 - £178

What Size Van for a Day is Best?

Medium wheelbase vans, like Berlingos or Caddy vans, are similar in size to family cars and may not fit everything, even with sliding or hinged doors. Long-wheelbase vans, such as Transits or Dispatches, offer more space but might still fall short for full moves, making a Luton-sized vehicle a better option. Note that boarded vans have slightly less capacity than unpadded ones.

Types of Removal Vans

The most common vans used by removal companies or available for rent are categorised into 4 groups by size. These standard sizes of vans can transfer anything from full house removal to a small amount of furniture or boxes. The groups are:

1. Luton Lorry

The Luton lorry is the largest moving van you can get for your removal. With a capacity of 27 m3, it can be used for moving a 4-room flat or a medium house, including boxes and furniture. This is a good option for a 3+ person family.

2. Luton Van

This type of van is the most common one used for removals. With a capacity of 15 m3 and its box shape, it is ideal for the transport of several boxed items and a few large pieces of furniture. It can fit the contents of a small house, including a bed, a table, and all the moving boxes.

3. Long Wheel Base

The long wheelbase is a small moving van with around 10 to 15 m3 of space inside. The smaller size is ideal for boxes and a few pieces of furniture. The larger size, instead, is suitable for multiple pieces of furniture as well as the contents of a two-person flat.

4. Medium Wheel Base

Finally, the medium wheelbase vehicle, such as the Mercedes Sprinter, is the smallest of the removal vans, with a carrying capacity of 7 to 10 m3.  Because of its relatively smaller size, this type of van is perfect for moving only a few boxes or a piece of small furniture.

When Should You Hire a Removal Van?

Removal vans are used both by large removal companies and man with a van operations, in which 1 or more movers help with various tasks. Essentially, there are vans for every moving project – from small-scale furniture removal to larger full house removals:

1. Small Home Removal

Although both of these companies are capable of handling removals, they differ in their capacities and level of service. If you are moving out of a 1-bedroom flat or student dorm and you are looking for a cheap way to transport your belongings and furniture, a man with a van firm is the perfect solution for you.

2. Large Home Removal

For your larger moves, such as those involving a 4-bedroom home, removal companies in the UK are more suitable. Of course, man and van operations can handle large moves as well. However, loading and transport times are usually much longer due to smaller vans and less manpower. Alternatively, you may rent a van and move all of your belongings by yourself.

Moving From a Big House?

In need of a more comprehensive level of service for your large move? Then removal companies, with their ability to take care of everything from packing and loading to disassembly and cleaning, are a more appropriate solution. Removal companies differ from the normal man with a van operation in that they are better suited for large, long-distance moves such as a 3- to 4-bedroom house. Additionally, with higher-capacity vans, transferring your items to your new home will only require 1 trip.

 

Insurance to Hire a Van for the Day

When you hire a van, it should come with basic insurance that covers road incidents. Additionally, you might also want to check out the van hire firm’s public liability insurance before proceeding, especially if you will be moving your possessions on the public road. This way, you will be covered if you break something or – worse still – accidentally harm a member of the public when you are out and about.

What Driving License Do I Need for a Removal Van?

To drive a moving van weighing up to 3.5 tonnes (e.g., a Luton van), your category B license will be sufficient. However, using a small van may mean that you have to make more than one trip. To drive anything bigger, you need a Category C1 licence. So, for larger moves, it’s often necessary to hire a professional removal company to ensure the driver has the necessary national or international license, including a CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence).

 

Moving on Your Own With a Removal Van

You may be thinking it is best to rent a moving vehicle and go through with the move yourself. Although at first glance it may appear as the cheapest option, there are several other issues to consider. The main points are:

Van Pickup and Drop-Off

Depending on your location, the travel time to pick up the van can be considerably long, with the associated diesel costs. Also, if you are moving to a new city, you will have to either drive the van back to the original location or find a company that offers one-way rentals, adding to more transport costs.

Lengthy Paperwork and Large Deposit

A moving van rental involves many papers as well as a deposit in case of any damage to the vehicle.

Difficulty Driving a Larger Vehicle

Driving a larger moving van can be difficult, especially on unfamiliar, busy city roads. Also, if you rent the Luton lorry, some areas require special licenses to operate.

Longer Moving Times

Conducting a relocation by yourself is significantly slower than having the assistance of professional movers, even with the help of friends and family. You also run the risk of injuring yourself or damaging your prized possessions due to inexperience, improper loading, and insufficient protection.

Pros and Cons of Moving on Your Own with a Van

Pros	Cons
You will have flexibility in terms of time	You might need a special licence to drive a bigger truck
You will save money compared to hiring a removal company	If you are using a small removal van, you might have to drive back and forth multiple times
	You might have to ask friends or family for help loading and unloading the van

How Can a Man with a Van Service Benefit You?

After considering the points just above, a DIY relocation often costs more than hiring a man and van company. For large removals, renting a van on your own tends to have no real price advantage. Check out the most common reasons why many people choose to hire a professional man and van service instead:

1. A Man With a Van Owner Knows Best

The movers know how to safely load your belongings and ensure they will arrive at your destination as quickly as possible. After inspecting your possessions, the professional mover will know how everything will fit into the van.

2. Removal Specialists Will Do The Hard Work for You

Loading and unloading your items is a tiring endeavour, something that you as a new homeowner should not have to deal with. Leave the heavy lifting to movers and you will have a pleasant moving experience.

3. Movers Are Inexpensive and Fast

Going for one or more professional movers with a van is a cost-effective method for handling smaller furniture articles or a 1 to 2-person flat.