Man and van cost: what an hourly rate really buys

Man and van cost is quoted by the hour, which makes it look simple to compare and makes it easy to get wrong. The hourly rate is only one number. How many people come, when the clock starts, what counts as an extra and how many hours the job really takes decide the final bill. My crew and I get asked about this every week, so here is how the pricing works. If you are still deciding between a small van and a full crew, start with man and van or full removals.

Typical man and van cost in the UK

Published price guides give a sense of the range. MyBuilder's guide, updated in August 2026, puts one person and a van at roughly £35 to £60 an hour, two people at £45 to £80 and three at £55 to £90, with London higher. Those are national guide figures from a third party, not our prices, and they are useful mainly to spot a quote that is far outside the normal range in either direction.

A very low rate is not always a bargain. It can mean one person doing the work of two, a smaller van that needs two trips, or extras that only appear on the invoice. Our guide to what removal quotes should include covers the lines to look for.

What the hourly rate actually buys

Before comparing rates, find out exactly what sits inside the hour:

• How many people. One person can drive and help, but heavy furniture needs two. If you are expected to be the second pair of hands, the rate should reflect that.
• The size of the van. A small van that needs two runs doubles the driving time you pay for.
• When the clock starts. Some charge from leaving their base, some from arrival at your door. Ask, because on a short local move the travel time can be a big share of the bill.
• A minimum booking. Many have a minimum number of hours, so a one hour job can still be charged as two or three.
• Blankets, straps and dollies. These should be standard. Check they are included rather than assumed.
• Insurance. Ask what cover is in place for your goods while they are being carried and in the van.

The extras that add to man and van cost

Price guides list the same handful of extras again and again: fuel on longer runs, stairs, out of hours work, packing help, storage and congestion charges in cities. Locally, the ones that make the biggest difference are usually these:

• Stairs and long carries. A top floor flat with no lift, or a van parked well away from the door, adds time to every single item.
• Parking. On a busy street in Luton or St Albans a van that cannot get close costs you by the minute. The parking suspension guide explains how to sort space before the day.
• Waiting time. If keys are released late, the van and crew are still on the clock while they wait.
• Dismantling. Beds, wardrobes and tables that need taking apart and rebuilding.
• Weekends and evenings. Some charge more outside normal hours.

How many hours you will need

Nobody can give an accurate hour count without knowing what is moving, so be wary of a firm figure given over the phone without questions. What makes the estimate accurate is information from you: the number of large items, whether everything is packed and sealed before the van arrives, the floors at each end, the distance between the two addresses and the parking.

The biggest saving is in your hands. Boxes packed, taped and labelled before the van arrives can cut hours from the day. Our room by room packing guide covers how to do it so the loading runs quickly.

Comparing two man and van quotes

Put the same questions to each company and write the answers side by side:

1. How many people, and what size of van?
2. Is there a minimum charge, and when does the clock start and stop?
3. Is travel time charged, and from where?
4. What is charged as an extra: stairs, dismantling, waiting, fuel?
5. What insurance covers my things?
6. Is the total a fixed price or an estimate?

A slightly higher rate with two people, a large van and no surprise extras often costs less in the end than a cheap rate that runs long.

When a man and van is the wrong buy

For a flat, a student move or a few large items, a man and van is usually the right size of service. For a family house, the hourly model can work against you, because a small team on an hourly rate takes much longer than a full crew on a fixed price. Our guide to what a house move really costs shows how a full move is priced instead.

If you are moving in or around Dunstable, Luton or anywhere across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, tell us what is moving and from where, and we will tell you which service fits and what it costs before you book.