Man and van services occupy a middle ground between doing everything yourself and hiring a full removal company. Understanding what’s included—and what isn’t—helps you plan properly and avoid disappointment on moving day.
What’s Typically Included
Most man and van services provide a core set of essentials that cover the basics of getting your belongings from one place to another.
The Van
You get a van appropriate to your move, whether that’s a medium Transit for a studio flat or a Luton for a larger property. The van comes equipped with straps and blankets to secure and protect your items during transit. This is fundamentally what you’re paying for—vehicle capacity and safe transport.
A Driver
The driver knows how to load a van efficiently and safely, understands weight distribution, and can navigate to your destination. They’re experienced in handling furniture and household items, which matters more than you might think until you’ve tried to wedge a sofa through a doorway yourself.
Loading and Unloading Help
Standard man and van services include physical help with loading items onto the van and unloading them at the destination. The driver (and helper, if booked) will carry boxes, lift furniture, and handle the heavy work. This is a significant part of what distinguishes the service from simple van hire.
Fuel and Mileage
Your quote should include all transport costs for the journey between your specified addresses. You shouldn’t face surprise fuel charges for a standard A-to-B move. However, significant detours or additional stops may incur extra costs—clarify this when booking.
Basic Protection
Legitimate services carry Goods in Transit insurance covering your belongings during the move. This provides basic protection if something gets damaged. The level of cover varies between providers, so it’s worth checking the details, particularly for valuable items.
What’s Usually Not Included
Certain services fall outside the standard man and van offering. Some can be added for an extra fee; others require different providers entirely.
Packing
Man and van services expect you to have packed your belongings before they arrive. They’ll load packed boxes and wrapped furniture, but they won’t spend time packing your kitchen cupboards or wrapping your ornaments. If you need packing done for you, you’ll either need to arrange this separately or book a full removal service that includes it.
Some man and van providers offer packing as an add-on service, but this typically costs £50-200 extra depending on volume, and not all operators provide it.
Packing Materials
Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and wardrobe cartons are your responsibility. The van will have blankets and straps for transit protection, but you need to supply the materials to pack your items properly beforehand. Budget £30-100 for packing materials depending on your move size, or source free boxes from supermarkets and online marketplaces.
Furniture Dismantling and Assembly
If your bed frame needs taking apart to fit through the doorway, or your wardrobe requires dismantling, this is usually your job. Some services will help with basic dismantling if time allows, but it’s not standard and shouldn’t be assumed.
Assembly at the destination is similar—most services will place furniture where you direct, but they won’t spend time rebuilding flatpack wardrobes or reconnecting bed frames. If you need this, ask whether it’s available as an add-on (typically £20-50 per item) or arrange it separately.
Specialist Item Handling
Pianos, antiques, fine art, and extremely heavy items (gym equipment, safes) often require specialist handling that standard man and van services don’t provide. If you have items requiring particular expertise or equipment—piano dollies, art crates, specialist lifting gear—you may need to book dedicated services for those items.
Always mention unusual items when getting quotes. A reputable service will tell you honestly if something is beyond their capability.
Appliance Disconnection and Reconnection
Your washing machine, dishwasher, and cooker need disconnecting before the move and reconnecting afterwards. Man and van services transport these items but don’t typically handle plumbing or electrical work. Arrange for this separately—either DIY if you’re confident, or book a plumber or electrician.
The same applies to IT equipment in office moves. Movers transport computers and monitors but don’t configure networks or reconnect systems.
Storage
If you need to store items between moving out and moving in, this requires separate arrangements. Some removal companies offer storage solutions, but it’s not part of a standard man and van service. You’ll need to research storage facilities independently and factor the cost into your budget.
Cleaning
End-of-tenancy cleaning, whether at your old property or preparing the new one, isn’t part of a moving service. If you need professional cleaning, book it separately and coordinate timing with your move.
Grey Areas Worth Clarifying
Some aspects vary between providers. Clarify these when booking to avoid assumptions.
Stairs
Most services include carrying items up and down a reasonable number of stairs. However, definitions of “reasonable” vary, and some services charge extra per floor beyond the ground level (typically £10-20 per floor). If you’re moving to or from an upper-floor flat, confirm whether stairs are included in the quote or charged separately.
Long Carries
If the van can’t park close to your property—narrow streets, permit-only parking, long driveways—the additional carrying distance takes time and effort. Some services include this; others charge for carries beyond a certain distance (often 20-50 metres). Mention parking situations when booking.
Waiting Time
If you’re not ready when the movers arrive, you’re paying for their time regardless. Most services charge waiting time (typically £15-30 per 30 minutes). Being prepared when they arrive isn’t just polite—it directly affects your bill.
Room Placement
Will movers place furniture in specific rooms, or just unload everything to the ground floor or entrance? Most will put items where you direct within reason, but clarify expectations. Detailed furniture arrangement—positioning sofas precisely, ensuring tables are level—may be beyond what’s offered.
Multiple Stops
If you need to collect items from more than one location, or deliver to multiple addresses, this usually costs extra. Some services include one additional stop; others charge per stop. Clarify the policy if your move involves multiple points.
What You Should Do
Given these boundaries, here’s what falls to you:
Pack everything before movers arrive. Boxes should be sealed and ready. Loose items should be bagged or boxed. Wardrobes should be empty (unless you’ve confirmed the service handles full wardrobes).
Dismantle furniture that won’t fit through doorways. Beds, large tables, and modular wardrobes often need taking apart. Do this the day before if possible—it takes longer than you’d expect.
Arrange appliance disconnection. Either do it yourself or book a professional. The washing machine should be disconnected and drained before movers arrive.
Clear pathways. Items should be accessible and routes through the property should be clear. Movers shouldn’t need to navigate obstacle courses.
Organise parking. If you need a parking permit or suspension, arrange this in advance. If parking is difficult, warn the service when booking so they can plan accordingly.
Be present and available. You’ll need to direct where things go, answer questions, and handle any issues that arise. Don’t assume you can leave movers to it.
Questions to Ask When Booking
To avoid misunderstandings, clarify these points before confirming:
Does the quoted price include loading and unloading help, or is it driver-only? What’s included for stairs—how many floors before extra charges apply? Are there charges for difficult access or long carries? What happens if the move takes longer than estimated? Is furniture dismantling or assembly available, and what does it cost? What insurance cover is provided, and what are the limits? Are there any items you won’t move?
Getting clear answers upfront prevents disputes on moving day when you’re stressed and your belongings are on a van.
When You Need More Than Man and Van
Sometimes a standard man and van service isn’t enough. Consider a full removal service if you need comprehensive packing done for you, if you have multiple specialist items (pianos, antiques, fine art), if you’re moving a large property (4+ bedrooms) with substantial contents, if you need storage as part of the move, or if you want everything handled with minimal personal involvement.
Full removal services cost significantly more but provide end-to-end management. For smaller moves where you can handle packing and preparation yourself, man and van offers excellent value.
If you’re unsure what level of service you need, getting quotes for both options helps clarify the trade-offs. You can get an instant quote to see what a man and van service would cost for your specific move.
