Guide
Man and van or removal company: which suits your move?
A 2 to 3 bed home costs £500 to £800 or more by man and van and £900 to £1,800 for a 3 bed with a removal company outside London, on Fantastic Services' September 2026 guides. Removal companies more often include a survey, packing and higher default cover, while a man and van usually charges by the hour for a smaller crew.
When does a man and van suit a move?
A man and van suits a studio, a 1 or 2 bed flat, a student move or a short local move where you pack yourself. Konnect You (formerly Compare My Move) says man and van services suit small, local moves (September 2026), and Fantastic Services prices them from a studio up to a 2 to 3 bed home.
The usual set-up is one or two people, a single van of up to 3.5 tonnes and an hourly rate with a two-hour minimum. You can often help load, which keeps the hours down, and many firms take bookings at short notice.
When does a removal company suit a move?
A removal company suits a larger house, a long-distance move, a move with a lot of fragile or valuable items, or one where you want the packing done for you. Fantastic Services prices removals from a studio to five bedrooms or more, with three-person crews for a 3 bed home and moves of one to two days for the largest.
Removal companies more often run lorries over 3.5 tonnes, offer storage and give a fixed price after a survey. Some small removal firms also do man-and-van work, so the line between the two is not sharp. Ask what crew, vehicle and price basis each quote uses.
How much more does a removal company cost?
For the same home, a removal company typically costs more than a man and van. Outside London, Fantastic Services gives £500 to £1,200 for a 2 bed and £900 to £1,800 for a 3 bed with a removal company, against £300 to £550 for a 1 to 2 bed flat and £500 to £800 or more for a 2 to 3 bed home by man and van (September 2026).
MyJobQuote's removals guide (22 September 2026) gives £520 to £640 for a 2 bed and £800 to £950 for a 3 bed within 50 miles, with packing from £250 for a 1 bed to £600 for a 4 bed. Konnect You's data from 8,598 customers gives a UK average of £1,080 and £1,252 for a 3 bed.
The guides differ because they mix fixed-price quotes, hourly jobs and different areas. Compare two or three written quotes for your own home.
Do removal companies survey before quoting?
Many do, in person or by video, and a man and van usually does not. The British Association of Removers' code of practice requires members to assess the work and give fixed-price written quotations without charge. Bishop's Move says its surveys are free and usually take 30 minutes to an hour, and it also offers video surveys through an app.
A man and van normally prices from your description, a list of large items or photos, then charges for the hours used. Give a full list including the loft, shed and garage, because a quote based on a short list can run over.
How do insurance and packing differ?
Cover and packing are where the two differ most in practice. Removal companies often include a per-item liability by default and sell extra cover: Bishop's Move's standard terms cap liability at £40 per item, and AnyVan describes removal companies offering £50,000 fire and theft cover. Man and van firms usually hold goods in transit insurance, which brokers such as Coversure say most often starts at £10,000.
Packing is usually extra with either. MyJobQuote gives £250 for a 1 bed and £400 for a 3 bed (September 2026). Most removal firms' cover excludes items you pack yourself, so ask what is covered if you do your own boxes.
What does BAR membership mean?
BAR, the British Association of Removers, is a trade association for removal firms, formed in 1900, with more than 450 members on its June 2026 figures. Members follow a code of practice approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, and BAR says it runs annual audits and inspections of premises, vehicles, staff and insurance arrangements.
Members' customers get an Advance Payment Guarantee if the firm fails before the move, and access to a free dispute service through the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman, which must be used within 12 months of the move. That service does not handle claims for loss or damage to goods, which go through the insurance route, or disputes over £10,000.
Membership is voluntary. It is one fact to weigh, not a requirement.
Common questions
Is a man and van cheaper than removals?
For small moves, usually. Outside London, Fantastic Services gives £150 to £320 for a studio by man and van and £300 to £700 for a studio or 1 bed with a removal company (September 2026).
Do man and van firms pack for you?
Some do, for an extra charge, and many sell boxes. Most expect you to pack. Check whether the firm's insurance covers boxes you packed yourself.
What is a BAR member?
A removal firm in the British Association of Removers, which has more than 450 members. Members follow a Trading Standards-approved code, are inspected, and offer an advance payment guarantee and a free dispute service.
Do I need a survey for a man and van?
Usually not. A man and van normally prices from a list of items or photos and charges by the hour. A survey is more common for a fixed-price removal.