One of the trickiest parts of booking a man and van is figuring out how much space you actually need. Underestimate and you’re looking at a second trip. Overestimate and you’re paying for capacity you don’t use.
Most people don’t move often enough to have a feel for van sizes. Here’s how to make a reasonable estimate without needing a tape measure or a logistics degree.
Start With the Big Items
Bulky furniture takes up the most space and dictates what size van you’ll need. Before thinking about boxes, list your large items:
- Beds (and mattresses)
- Sofas and armchairs
- Wardrobes and chests of drawers
- Dining tables and chairs
- Desks
- Large appliances (fridge, washing machine, dryer)
These are the items that determine whether you need a medium, large, or extra-large van. Everything else—boxes, bags, smaller furniture—fills the gaps around them.
A Simple Room-by-Room Method
If you’re moving a whole property, a room-based estimate is often the easiest approach:
Studio or bedsit: Usually fits in a medium van. Expect a bed, a small sofa or armchair, a few boxes, and not much else.
One-bed flat: Typically needs a large van if you have a full set of furniture. A medium van might work if you’re fairly minimalist.
Two-bed flat or small house: A large van can usually manage this in one trip, but it depends on how much furniture you have. If both bedrooms are fully furnished and you have a lot of belongings, you may be pushing the limits.
Three-bed house: Generally needs an extra-large van or two trips with a large van. Full houses accumulate more than people realise.
These are rough guides, not guarantees. A sparsely furnished three-bed can fit in less space than a packed one-bed.
Think in Cubic Metres (Roughly)
Van capacity is measured in cubic metres. You don’t need to calculate this precisely, but having a rough sense helps:
- Medium van (e.g. Transit Custom): 5–8 cubic metres
- Large van (e.g. Transit LWB, Sprinter): 10–15 cubic metres
- Extra-large (Luton): 17–20 cubic metres
As a rule of thumb, one cubic metre is roughly equivalent to 8–10 standard moving boxes. So a medium van holds about 40–80 boxes if you’re only moving boxes. In reality, furniture takes up irregular space, so actual box counts will be lower.
Use the “Rooms Worth” Shortcut
Another way to think about it:
- Medium van: 1–2 rooms worth of items
- Large van: 2–3 rooms worth
- Extra-large van: 4–5 rooms worth
A “room” here means a typical bedroom or living room’s worth of furniture and belongings. Kitchens and bathrooms usually add less volume, though appliances can be bulky.
Don’t Forget Hidden Volume
People often underestimate because they forget about:
- Contents of wardrobes and drawers – clothes, bedding, and linens add up fast
- Kitchen items – pots, pans, appliances, crockery
- Books – heavier than you’d think and surprisingly bulky
- Garden items – tools, furniture, pots, barbecues
- Garage or shed contents – often forgotten until moving day
- Loft or storage cupboards – out of sight, out of mind
Walk through your entire property and open every cupboard before making your estimate. The things you forget are usually the things that don’t fit.
What About Disassembly?
Flat-pack furniture takes up far less space than assembled furniture. If you’re willing to dismantle beds, wardrobes, and tables, you can often fit more into a smaller van.
However, disassembly and reassembly take time—and time costs money if you’re paying hourly. It’s worth considering whether the time spent dismantling is worth the van size savings.
When in Doubt, Ask
If you’re unsure, most man and van services are happy to advise. Describe what you’re moving—either a list of big items or a description of your property—and they’ll recommend an appropriate van size.
Good operators would rather send the right van than deal with problems on the day. If you provide accurate information, they can give you a realistic estimate.
Better to Go Slightly Bigger
If you’re on the borderline between two sizes, it’s usually safer to go up. The hourly rate difference between a medium and large van is typically £10–£15. Over a three-hour job, that’s £30–£45.
A second trip—if everything doesn’t fit—costs far more. You’re looking at another hour or two minimum, plus the stress of realising mid-move that you’ve run out of space.
The peace of mind alone is often worth the modest upgrade.
Quick Reference Guide
Here’s a simplified summary:
| You’re Moving | Recommended Van |
|---|---|
| A few boxes or one large item | Medium |
| Studio or bedsit | Medium |
| One-bed flat | Medium to Large |
| Two-bed flat | Large |
| Two-bed house | Large to Extra-Large |
| Three-bed house | Extra-Large (or two trips) |
If you’d like to check what van size suits your move, you can get an instant quote and see a recommendation based on your specific details.
