Man and van hire for small moves and single items
Too big for your car, too small for a full removals crew — that's man and van territory. One driver, a Luton van and an hourly rate: right for studio and 1-bed flat moves, single items and student moves. Compare free quotes from vetted local operators in about two minutes.
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What happens next
- Quotes within 24 hoursUp to 5 top-rated companies will call or email — keep an eye on your phone.
- Compare with zero pressurePut their prices side by side. No obligation to book any of them.
- Details changed? No problemJust tell the companies when they get in touch — quotes adjust easily.
Which do you need?
Man and van or full removals?
A man and van is right for moves up to a 1-bed flat, single items and student moves — typically £35–£70 an hour, with you helping carry. Choose full removals when you're moving a 2-bed or bigger, need packing, or want a crew to do all the lifting.
The honest version: it's cheaper because it's one pair of hands, and you're often the second. If that sounds like a bad Saturday,flat removals gets you a small crew andhouse removals a full one. Neither is wrong — it's a price-versus-lifting decision.
The numbers
What does man and van hire cost?
Pricing is hourly. Nearly everyone has a two-hour minimum, and a second pair of hands — a two-man team — adds £15–£25 an hour.
- London
- typically £50–£70 an hour
- Other big cities
- typically £40–£60 an hour
- Towns and elsewhere
- typically £35–£50 an hour
Worked example: a studio flat across town is usually two hours of loading and unloading plus an hour of driving — three hours at £45 is £135, call it £155 with a mileage charge.
One warning. The cheap man and a van ads promising £25 an hour tend to grow extra charges once your sofa is on the van — a mid-range quote with everything included usually beats them. Thinking of renting a van and doing it yourself? Seeremoval van costs for that comparison.
Small jobs welcome
Man with a van for single items
Sofas, wardrobes, washing machines, the Marketplace armchair you won at 11pm — single item delivery is half the trade. One-item jobs usually get a fixed price rather than an hourly rate, typically £40–£90 locally, because the operator can slot them between bigger jobs. Send the item's size, a photo and both postcodes and you'll get an accurate price first time.
Want boxes packed properly before the van arrives?Packing services covers it.
Student removals
End of term is small-load season: 10–15 boxes, a bike, maybe a mattress. An hourly van beats a full crew on price, and local operators are used to halls access and tight parking. If your dates are flexible, midweek is cheaper — and everyone's parent is on the phone the same fortnight, so book before the rush.
How it works
How Removly works for small moves
Small removals are bread and butter for local operators — where big-crew firms often turn small jobs down or price them silly.
Tell us what you're moving and where. Up to five vetted local operators quote for the job. Compare and book — or don't. It's free either way. Looking for a man and van near you? Start with your city:
Good to know
Small move FAQs
How much does a man and van cost per hour?
Typically £35–£70 an hour depending on region — London sits at the top of that range. Most operators have a two-hour minimum, and a second person adds £15–£25 an hour. For anything bigger than a 1-bed flat, ask for a fixed price instead.
Will the driver help carry?
Yes — loading and unloading is part of the job, not a favour. Mention stairs, parking restrictions and anything heavy like a washing machine when you book, so they bring a trolley or a second person rather than discovering it on the day.
Can I book just a single item?
Yes — sofas, beds and Marketplace pickups are a big part of the trade. Single item jobs are usually a fixed price rather than hourly. Send the item’s size and both postcodes and most operators will quote the same day.
How big is the van?
Most operators run a 3.5-tonne Luton: a load box roughly 4m long, 2m wide and 2.2m high. That swallows a studio or 1-bed flat in one trip. A 2-bed usually means two trips — at that point compare a full removals quote too.
How far ahead should I book?
A few days is usually fine midweek. Weekends and month-end go first, so give those a week or two. Students: end of term is the busiest fortnight of the year for small vans — book early.
Ready to get it moved?
Two minutes, up to five quotes from vetted local operators. Free, no obligation.