When booking a man and van, one of the decisions you’ll face is whether to hire just the driver or add an extra pair of hands. It’s not always obvious which makes sense—and the answer isn’t simply “bigger move equals more people.”
The right choice depends on what you’re moving, how accessible your properties are, and whether paying for a second person will actually save you time and money overall.
What One Mover Can Realistically Handle
A single experienced mover can manage more than you might expect. They’re used to working alone, they know how to move awkward items safely, and they have the right equipment—trolleys, straps, and blankets—to make solo work efficient.
One mover is typically fine for:
- Boxes and bags (any number, within reason)
- Small to medium furniture: chairs, side tables, desks, chests of drawers
- Single items like a bookcase or small wardrobe
- Appliances that can be moved on a trolley: under-counter fridges, microwaves, small freezers
- Mattresses (awkward but manageable solo)
If your move consists mostly of boxes with a few light furniture pieces, one mover is usually sufficient.
Where One Person Struggles
The limitation isn’t just weight—it’s also about control and safety. Some items are too heavy for one person to lift safely. Others are simply too awkward to manoeuvre through doorways, down stairs, or around corners without a second pair of hands.
HSE guidelines suggest a maximum safe lifting weight of around 25kg for men in ideal conditions. That’s a useful benchmark, but real-world moving rarely happens in ideal conditions. Awkward angles, narrow hallways, and stairs all reduce what one person can safely handle.
Items that typically require two people include:
- Sofas: A two-seater sofa weighs around 35–40kg. A three-seater is closer to 40–50kg. Even a lighter sofa is difficult to navigate through doorways alone.
- Beds: A complete double bed (base, mattress, headboard) weighs 70–80kg. King-size beds can exceed 90kg. Even dismantled, bed frames are awkward to handle solo.
- Wardrobes: A single wardrobe weighs around 35–40kg. Larger wardrobes can weigh significantly more, and their height makes them unstable for one person to carry.
- Washing machines: Typically 55–90kg, with most around 70–80kg. Far too heavy for one person to lift safely.
- Fridge-freezers: Standard models weigh 60–100kg. American-style fridge-freezers can weigh considerably more.
- Piano or heavy furniture: Upright pianos can weigh 150–250kg. Some antique furniture is also deceptively heavy.
If your move includes several items from this list, two movers become necessary rather than optional.
Stairs Change Everything
Ground floor to ground floor moves are relatively straightforward. Add stairs into the equation and the difficulty increases significantly—for both safety and speed.
Carrying a washing machine or sofa up three flights of stairs isn’t just hard; it’s potentially dangerous without a second person. Even lighter items become more challenging when you’re navigating tight stairwells or landings.
If either property involves stairs—especially multiple floors without a lift—two movers will almost always be faster and safer.
The Time Factor
Even if one person could technically handle everything, the question is whether they should.
Two movers don’t just share the lifting—they work simultaneously. While one carries items to the van, the other prepares the next load. While one secures items inside, the other brings more out. This relay effect can cut loading and unloading time significantly.
A move that takes one person four hours might take two people just over two hours. That’s not quite half the time—coordination takes effort—but the difference is substantial.
Cost Comparison
Adding a second mover typically increases the hourly rate by £15–£25. Here’s how that looks in practice:
- One man and van: £40–£55 per hour
- Two men and van: £55–£75 per hour
At first glance, two movers cost more. But consider a scenario:
A one-bed flat move with a sofa, double bed, washing machine, and 20 boxes. One mover might take four hours working carefully. Two movers might complete the same job in two and a half hours.
- One mover at £50/hour × 4 hours = £200
- Two movers at £65/hour × 2.5 hours = £162.50
In this example, two movers actually cost less. The maths doesn’t always work out this way, but it often does for moves involving heavy items or difficult access.
When One Mover Makes Sense
Stick with one mover if:
- You’re moving mostly boxes with minimal furniture
- The heaviest item is something like a desk or chest of drawers
- Both properties are ground floor with easy access
- The move is local and quick (under two hours)
- You’re able and willing to help with lighter items yourself
A student move, a few items from a house clearance, or a single large item delivery—these are all reasonable for one mover.
When Two Movers Are Worth It
Consider two movers if:
- You have multiple heavy items (sofa, bed, appliances)
- Either property involves stairs, especially above the first floor
- Access is difficult—narrow hallways, tight corners, long distances from parking
- You’re on a tight schedule and need the job done quickly
- You’re not able to help with lifting yourself
If in doubt, it’s worth asking the service for their recommendation. Good operators will tell you honestly whether they think one person is enough or whether a second would make the job smoother.
Can You Help Instead?
Some people book one mover and plan to help themselves. This can work, but be realistic about your own limitations. Professional movers do this all day; you probably don’t.
Helping with boxes and light items is fine. Attempting to help carry a washing machine down stairs is risky if you’re not used to it. And if you injure yourself, you won’t have saved any money.
If you’re fit and able, helping can reduce the need for a second paid mover. If you’re not, it’s better to pay for the extra help than to risk injury or slow the job down.
The Bottom Line
One mover is enough for light, simple moves—mostly boxes, minimal furniture, easy access.
Two movers become necessary when you have heavy items, stairs, or difficult access. In many cases, they also end up being more cost-effective because the job gets done faster.
If you’re unsure what you need, you can get an instant quote and describe your move. We’ll recommend the right setup based on what you’re actually moving.
