When you book a man and van, one of the first questions you’ll face is what size van you need. It’s not just a practical consideration—it directly affects what you’ll pay.
Choosing the right van size can save you money. Choosing the wrong one can cost you more than you expected, either through a higher hourly rate or the need for multiple trips. Here’s how it works.
The Three Main Van Sizes
Most man and van services offer three broad categories:
Medium van (short wheelbase)
These are compact panel vans—think Ford Transit Custom or Vauxhall Vivaro. They’re easy to drive, simple to park, and suit smaller moves.
Typical capacity: 5–8 cubic metres (a Transit Custom ranges from 5.4 to 8.3 m³ depending on configuration), or roughly 20–30 boxes plus a few small furniture items.
Large van (long wheelbase)
A step up in size, these vans offer significantly more space while still being manageable on residential streets. Examples include the Ford Transit LWB or Mercedes Sprinter.
Typical capacity: 10–15 cubic metres, or the contents of a one to two-bed flat in a single trip.
Extra-large van (Luton or box van)
These are the largest options available from most man and van services. They have a box-shaped rear compartment, often with a tail lift for heavy items.
Typical capacity: 17–20 cubic metres, enough for a two to three-bed house in one load.
How Van Size Affects Hourly Rates
Larger vans cost more to run. Fuel consumption is higher, insurance premiums are steeper, and wear and tear adds up faster. That cost gets passed on in the hourly rate.
As a rough guide:
- Medium van: £40–£55 per hour
- Large van: £50–£65 per hour
- Extra-large van: £60–£80 per hour
The difference might seem small—£10 or £15 per hour—but over a four or five-hour move, it adds up. Choosing a van that’s bigger than you need means paying that premium for capacity you’re not using.
When a Bigger Van Saves Money
Here’s where it gets interesting: a larger van isn’t always the more expensive choice.
If your move requires two trips in a medium van, you’re paying for the time it takes to load, drive, unload, return, and repeat. That second trip could easily add two or three hours to the job.
In that scenario, hiring a large van that fits everything in one go—even at a higher hourly rate—often works out cheaper overall.
The key question isn’t “what’s the cheapest van?” but “what’s the most efficient van for my move?”
When a Smaller Van Makes Sense
A smaller van is the right choice when:
- You’re moving a small number of items that will comfortably fit
- The move is local and quick
- You’re transporting a single large item (sofa, fridge, wardrobe)
- Access is tight and a larger van wouldn’t fit or would struggle to park
If you’re confident everything will fit in one load and the job will be quick, there’s no point paying for extra capacity.
When to Size Up
Consider a larger van if:
- You’re moving the contents of a full flat or house
- You have bulky furniture that takes up disproportionate space
- You want to avoid the risk of needing a second trip
- You’re moving a longer distance where return trips would be costly
It’s also worth sizing up if you’re on the borderline. Trying to squeeze everything into a van that’s just slightly too small often leads to a stressful, cramped load—or a second trip anyway.
How to Estimate What You Need
Estimating van size isn’t an exact science, but a few rules of thumb help:
- Studio or small one-bed flat: Medium van is usually enough
- One to two-bed flat: Large van recommended
- Two to three-bed house: Extra-large van or multiple trips
- Larger properties: May need a removal lorry or multiple van loads
Think about the bulky items first—sofas, beds, wardrobes, appliances. These take up the most space and determine whether you’ll fit in a smaller van or need to go larger.
What If You’re Not Sure?
If you’re unsure, most services are happy to advise. Provide a list of what you’re moving or describe your property, and they’ll recommend an appropriate van size.
Some operators will also offer to assess the load on arrival and adjust if needed—though this depends on availability and may affect the price.
When in doubt, it’s usually safer to go slightly larger. The cost difference per hour is modest, and the peace of mind is worth it.
Does Van Size Affect Anything Else?
Beyond price, van size can affect logistics:
Parking: Larger vans are harder to park, especially on narrow residential streets. You may need to arrange a parking suspension or accept a longer carry distance from the van to the door.
Access: Some areas—particularly city centres or older neighbourhoods—have width or height restrictions. A Luton van may not fit under a low bridge or through a narrow archway.
Speed: Larger vans can feel slower and less nimble, though in practice this rarely affects the overall move time significantly.
If access is a concern, mention it when booking. A good operator will advise on whether a larger van is practical for your situation.
Choosing the Right Fit
Van size is one of the easiest ways to control the cost of your move. Too small and you risk extra trips. Too large and you’re paying for space you don’t need.
The goal is to match the van to the job—not to default to the cheapest or the biggest option.
If you’re not sure what size you need, you can get an instant quote based on your move details, and see what’s recommended for your situation.
