Getting an accurate quote for a man and van service depends entirely on the information you provide. The more complete and honest your details, the more accurate your quote will be—and the fewer surprises you’ll face on moving day.
Before you start contacting operators or filling in online quote forms, gather all the relevant information. Having everything to hand makes the process faster and ensures you’re comparing like-for-like quotes.
Essential Information for Every Quote
Collection and Delivery Addresses
You’ll need the full postcodes for both locations. This allows operators to calculate distance, estimate travel time, and factor in any location-specific costs like congestion charges in London or longer journeys to rural areas.
If either address has an unusual name or is difficult to find, mention this. Drivers arriving at the wrong location or spending time searching wastes your paid time.
Dates and Timing
Know when you want to move. Specific dates are better than “sometime next week.” If you have flexibility, mention it—midweek moves and off-peak times often cost less than weekends or month-ends.
Also consider timing within the day. Morning starts are standard, but if you need a specific time (perhaps waiting for keys from a solicitor), make this clear from the start.
Property Details
For both the collection and delivery addresses, operators need to know:
What floor are you on? Ground floor is straightforward. Upper floors without lifts add time and effort. Basements can present their own challenges. How many floors does your stuff span? If you’re moving from a house with belongings in the loft, garage, and garden shed as well as the main rooms, that’s more volume than the bedroom count suggests.
Access Information
This significantly affects how long your move takes and therefore what it costs. Key questions include:
Where can a van park? Right outside the door, or down the street? Is parking restricted? Will you need to arrange a parking suspension or bay? Are there narrow hallways, tight staircases, or small doorways? Is there a lift, and if so, is it large enough for furniture? Are there any access restrictions—gates, security systems, time-limited access?
Be honest about access challenges. If you say parking is fine and the van arrives to find double yellow lines and a 200-metre carry, the job will take longer than quoted and you’ll pay the difference.
What You’re Moving
Creating an Inventory
You don’t need a complete list of every box, but operators need a reasonable picture of the volume and type of items. Walk through each room and note the major items.
Key furniture to mention: beds (single, double, king?), sofas (two-seater, three-seater, corner unit?), wardrobes, chest of drawers, dining tables and chairs, desks, bookcases, and any large storage units. For a typical house or apartment removal, this furniture list forms the core of your inventory.
Appliances: washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge-freezer (standard or American-style?), dishwasher, cooker if you’re taking it.
Don’t forget areas people commonly underestimate: loft contents, garage items, garden furniture and tools, shed contents, items in storage cupboards.
Approximate Number of Boxes
Even a rough estimate helps—”about 20 boxes” is more useful than “some boxes.” If you haven’t packed yet, consider: a one-bedroom flat typically generates 15-30 boxes; a three-bedroom house might be 50-80 boxes or more depending on how much you’ve accumulated.
Special or Unusual Items
Certain items need to be mentioned specifically because they affect pricing, van choice, or handling requirements:
Pianos and keyboards (weight, access requirements), safes or gun cabinets (extremely heavy for their size), gym equipment (treadmills, weight benches, exercise bikes), hot tubs or large garden items, antiques or high-value items (may need special wrapping or insurance), glass-topped tables or large mirrors, artwork, very large TVs (65″+), aquariums. For moves involving just one or two bulky pieces, a furniture and item transport service may be more appropriate than a full removal.
If something is particularly heavy, fragile, or awkwardly shaped, flag it. Better to discuss it upfront than have movers arrive unprepared.
Items That Won’t Be Moving
Equally important: be clear about what’s staying behind. If the sofa belongs to the landlord or you’re selling the fridge to the new owners, make sure the inventory reflects only what’s actually moving. This prevents quotes being inflated by items that won’t be on the van.
Services You Need
Loading and Unloading Help
Basic man and van services include the driver loading and unloading with your help. Standard services include professional loading and unloading done by the team. Clarify what’s included in any quote you receive—assumptions here cause problems.
Packing Services
Do you need help packing? If so, for everything or just fragile items? Packing services typically cost extra and are often done the day before the move. If you want this, mention it when getting quotes.
Furniture Dismantling and Reassembly
Will beds, wardrobes, or large tables need taking apart to fit through doors or into the van? Some operators include basic dismantling; others charge extra. Complex flat-pack furniture may need the original instructions. Clarify what’s needed and what’s included in the price.
Packing Materials
Do you need boxes, tape, bubble wrap, or furniture blankets supplied? Some services include protective materials; others assume you’ve handled this yourself.
Questions to Ask Operators
When you receive quotes, make sure you understand exactly what’s included. Key questions:
Is the quote hourly or fixed price? If hourly, what’s the minimum charge? What happens if the job takes longer than estimated? Are stairs, long carries, or difficult access included, or charged extra? Is fuel included, or are there mileage charges for longer distances? What insurance cover is provided? Can I see documentation? What are the payment terms—deposit required? Payment method? What’s the cancellation policy?
Information That Affects Pricing
Beyond the basics, certain details typically influence the quote:
Day of the week: weekends and Fridays often cost more. Time of month: month-end is peak demand for removals. Season: summer (especially June-August) is busy season. Location: London and the South East typically cost more; congestion charges may apply. Distance: longer journeys obviously cost more, but the pricing structure varies (hourly vs fixed). Volume: more stuff means bigger van, more time, potentially more movers.
If you have flexibility on any of these factors, ask about cheaper options. Moving on a Tuesday instead of Saturday could save you 10-20%.
Providing Photos or Video
Many operators now offer video surveys—a video call where you walk through your property showing what needs to move. This takes 15-30 minutes but results in much more accurate quotes than written descriptions alone.
Even without a formal video survey, sending photos of large items, access challenges, or anything unusual helps operators understand your job and quote accurately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating Volume
People consistently underestimate how much stuff they have. That half-empty spare room has more in it than you think. The garage “doesn’t have much” until you actually count everything. Be thorough when creating your inventory.
Forgetting Areas
Lofts, garages, sheds, under-stairs cupboards, airing cupboards—these spaces accumulate items that need moving but are easy to forget when describing your property.
Minimising Access Problems
If parking is difficult, say so. If the stairs are narrow, mention it. Downplaying access issues to get a lower quote backfires—the job will take longer than quoted, and you’ll pay the difference anyway while also frustrating the movers.
Not Mentioning Heavy Items
A piano, safe, or solid oak wardrobe isn’t just another item. These affect how the van is loaded, potentially require additional crew, and definitely affect timing. Failing to mention them can leave you with movers who aren’t equipped or quoted for the actual job.
Getting Multiple Quotes
For any significant move, get at least three quotes. This helps you understand the market rate and identify any outliers—either suspiciously cheap (often indicating missing services or hidden charges) or unusually expensive.
When comparing quotes, make sure they’re for the same service. A quote that includes packing, dismantling, and comprehensive insurance isn’t comparable to a basic loading-only quote, even if the headline numbers look similar.
Keeping Records
Once you’ve provided all this information and received quotes, keep records of what was discussed and agreed. Written quotes with itemised inclusions protect both you and the operator. If disputes arise on moving day about what was included, having clear documentation makes resolution much easier.
When you’re ready with all your details, you can get an instant quote based on your specific move requirements.
