When you’re comparing man and van quotes, there’s always one that stands out—the one significantly cheaper than all the others. It’s tempting to grab it. Moving is expensive enough already, and saving £100 or more sounds like an obvious win.
But there’s often a reason why that quote is so much lower. And sometimes, what looks like a bargain becomes the most expensive option of all.
The Problem With Rock-Bottom Prices
Professional man and van services have real costs: fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, wages, and time. These costs don’t vary dramatically between operators. A quote that’s 40% cheaper than everyone else isn’t the result of superior efficiency—it’s usually the result of something being left out or cut short.
Industry data suggests around 6% of removal customers report surprise charges on moving day, with the average unexpected cost coming in at over £300. Those surprise charges disproportionately affect people who chose the cheapest initial quote, because cheap quotes often exclude things that should be standard.
Where Cheap Operators Cut Corners
No Insurance or Minimal Cover
Insurance costs money. Goods in transit insurance, public liability cover—these aren’t optional extras for professional operators, but budget operators sometimes skip them entirely or carry only the bare legal minimum (commercial vehicle insurance, which covers the van but not your belongings).
If something gets damaged during your move, you might discover there’s no insurance to claim against. The £150 you saved on the quote could cost you thousands in damaged furniture with no recourse.
Unrealistic Time Estimates
A cheap fixed-price quote might be based on unrealistic assumptions about how long your move will take. When the operator realises the job is bigger than they quoted for, you face a choice: pay extra to complete the move, or have them leave with your belongings half-loaded.
With hourly pricing, there’s less room for this game—you pay for the time the job actually takes. But some operators quote low hours knowing the job will take longer, then charge premium overtime rates when the “estimated” time runs out.
Inadequate Equipment or Vehicles
Professional operators maintain their vehicles and equipment properly. Budget operators might not. A van that breaks down mid-move, or blankets so worn they don’t protect furniture, can turn a straightforward job into a disaster.
Van breakdowns aren’t common, but they happen. When they do, professional operators have contingency plans. Budget operators might leave you stranded with your belongings in a broken-down vehicle.
Rushing the Job
Time is money for any operator. But professional services balance speed with care. Budget operators under pressure to make their unrealistic quotes work might rush, leading to dropped boxes, scraped furniture, or items left behind.
The false economy here is obvious: you save on the quote but pay in damaged belongings.
Common Hidden Charges
Many “cheap” quotes are cheap because they exclude things that other operators include as standard. Common surprises include:
Access charges: If the van can’t park right outside your door, some operators charge extra for the additional carrying distance. Reviews mentioning access issues report hidden extras averaging £70-120, sometimes several hundred pounds.
Stairs and floors: Moving from or to upper floors often incurs surcharges if not explicitly included in the quote. This is legitimate—it takes more time and effort—but should be quoted upfront, not added on the day.
Furniture dismantling and reassembly: Taking apart beds and wardrobes and putting them back together is skilled work that takes time. Budget quotes often exclude it entirely, leaving you to either pay extra or do it yourself.
Parking permits: In restricted parking areas, someone needs to arrange permits. Professional operators often include this; budget operators might charge you separately or expect you to sort it.
Fuel surcharges and mileage: Some quotes exclude fuel costs for longer journeys, adding substantial charges on the day.
Waiting time: If access to your new property is delayed, professional operators usually have reasonable provisions. Budget operators might charge premium rates for any waiting.
The Bait-and-Switch Problem
Some operators deliberately quote low to win the job, knowing they’ll increase the price later. This might happen when they arrive and “reassess” the job, when they’re partway through loading, or when they add charges for things that should have been included.
Once your belongings are loaded in someone else’s van, you have very little negotiating power. Refusing to pay means they could refuse to deliver. This is why it’s so important to get detailed written quotes that specify exactly what’s included before any work begins.
What’s Actually Included? Questions to Ask
Before accepting any quote—especially one that seems significantly cheaper than others—get clarity on what’s included:
Does the price include fuel and mileage? Is there a minimum charge, and what happens if the job takes longer than estimated? Are stairs and floor access charges included? Is furniture dismantling and reassembly included? What insurance cover is provided—both for goods in transit and public liability? Are there any circumstances where additional charges might apply?
A professional operator will answer these questions clearly. Evasiveness or vagueness should be a warning sign.
Comparing Quotes Properly
The lowest headline number isn’t necessarily the cheapest move. Compare like with like:
If one operator includes dismantling and reassembly while another charges it as an extra, factor that in. If one operator has comprehensive insurance while another has minimal cover, consider the risk you’re taking. If one operator has a track record of accurate quotes while another has reviews mentioning surprise charges, weigh that in your decision.
Research suggests that customers who had a proper survey (whether in-person or video) before their move paid bills much closer to their original quote. Those who skipped surveys faced hidden extras averaging over £300. The survey takes 30 minutes but could save hundreds.
The Difference Between “Cheap” and “Good Value”
There’s nothing wrong with finding good value. Comparing quotes, moving midweek when rates are lower, decluttering to reduce volume—these are sensible ways to keep costs down without compromising on service.
The difference is between a competitive quote from a professional operator and an unrealistic quote that exists only to win your booking before the real costs emerge.
A good-value house removal service charges fairly for the work involved, includes the things that should be standard (insurance, reasonable access, clear pricing), and delivers what was promised. A cheap quote that becomes expensive on the day was never actually cheap—you just didn’t know the real price when you booked.
Warning Signs of Problematic Quotes
Be cautious if a quote is dramatically lower than all others (40% or more), if the operator won’t provide details in writing, if they’re evasive about what’s included, if they pressure you to book immediately, or if they have limited reviews or a pattern of complaints about hidden charges.
A quote that seems too good to be true usually is. Removal services have real costs, and operators who appear to be charging far below market rates are either planning to make it up elsewhere or cutting corners in ways that will cost you.
Protecting Yourself
Get at least three quotes for any significant move. Make sure each quote is detailed and in writing, specifying exactly what’s included. Ask about insurance and verify the answer if possible. Read reviews, specifically looking for mentions of surprise charges or moving-day disputes. Pay by card rather than cash (card payments offer consumer protections if things go wrong). Keep copies of all communications and agreements.
A few hours of research before booking can save hundreds of pounds and significant stress on moving day. The cheapest quote rarely represents the lowest total cost once everything is factored in.
The Real Cost of Moving
Professional removal services cost what they cost because there are genuine expenses involved in doing the job properly: maintained vehicles, appropriate insurance, fair wages, and the time to move your belongings carefully rather than rushing through.
When you pay for a professional service, you’re paying for accountability, reliability, and recourse if something goes wrong. When you choose the cheapest possible option, you might save money—or you might discover that “cheap” was the most expensive choice you could have made.
If you’d like to see clear, upfront pricing for your move with no hidden extras, you can get an instant quote that shows exactly what you’ll pay.
