Hiring a man and van in London seems straightforward, find a company, agree a price, show up on moving day. In practice, the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one almost always comes down to the questions you ask (or don’t ask) before you book.
After 18 years completing man and van jobs across every London borough, from studio flat moves in Shoreditch to four-bedroom house relocations in Richmond, we have seen exactly what goes wrong when customers skip the checklist. This guide covers every question worth asking before you commit.
1. Is the Van ULEZ Compliant?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers the entire Greater London area. Every van operating within Greater London must meet ULEZ standards or the operator pays a daily charge that will either be absorbed quietly (unlikely) or passed to you as a surcharge (more common than customers realise).
Before you book any man and van London service, ask directly: “Is your van ULEZ compliant?” A reputable company answers this immediately and confirms there is no surcharge. If there is any hesitation or vagueness, that charge will show up somewhere on your final bill.
What to check: ULEZ compliance confirmed with no surcharge before you book.
2. What Is the Minimum Charge?
Most man and van services in London operate a minimum booking time typically 2 hours. This means even if your move takes 45 minutes, you pay for the minimum. This is standard and reasonable, the minimum covers the driver’s travel time to your address but it needs to be clear before you book, not explained on the day.
The minimum charge varies by van size:
- Small van: typically from £100 (2-hour minimum at £50/hr)
- Large van: typically from £130 (2-hour minimum at £65/hr)
- Luton van: typically from £150 (2-hour minimum at £75/hr)
Knowing this upfront lets you plan properly. A short local move that you thought would cost £50 is actually £100 minimum that is not a surprise you want on moving day.
What to check: Confirm the minimum charge and minimum hours before booking.
3. Is the Congestion Charge Included?
The London Congestion Charge is £18 per day and applies to the van, not to you personally. It covers a defined zone in Central London and the boundary catches people out regularly. Parts of E1, EC, WC, W1 and surrounding postcodes fall within or near the zone.
A professional man with a van London service checks your route before confirming your quote and tells you upfront whether the CC applies. The Blackwall Tunnel and Silvertown Tunnel also carry charges for certain vehicle types both should be confirmed before your move.
If a company gives you a quote without asking about your pickup and delivery postcodes, be cautious. They either do not know London’s charge zones or are planning to add it later.
What to check: Ask specifically whether the Congestion Charge applies to your route. Confirm any tunnel charges too.
4. What Insurance Does the Van Have?
This is the question most people forget to ask and the most important one if something goes wrong.
A properly insured man and van service carries two types of cover:
Goods-in-Transit insurance – covers your belongings while they are being loaded, in transit, and unloaded. If a mirror breaks, a sofa gets scratched, or a wardrobe is damaged in transit, this is what pays for it.
Public Liability insurance – covers damage to the property at your old or new address. If a doorframe gets scratched, a floor gets marked, or a wall gets damaged during the move, this covers the cost.
Neither of these is legally required for a man and van operator to trade which means some operators carry neither. Always confirm both are in place before your belongings go anywhere near a van.
What to check: Confirm goods-in-transit AND public liability insurance are active on your booking.
5. Is the Price Fixed or Hourly?
Man with a van services typically price one of two ways: hourly rate (most common) or fixed price (less common, usually for larger jobs). Both are legitimate but you need to know which one you are agreeing to.
Hourly pricing: You pay for the actual time used, starting from the minimum. If your move takes longer than expected more boxes than anticipated, a difficult parking situation, a third-floor flat with no lift the bill goes up. Get an honest estimate of how long your move will take before you agree to hourly pricing.
Fixed pricing: One agreed price regardless of time. Better for larger, more complex moves where timing is harder to predict. Make sure the fixed price is confirmed in writing and includes all foreseeable costs.
What to check: Clarify whether your quote is hourly or fixed. If hourly, get a realistic time estimate. If fixed, get it confirmed in writing.
6. How Many People Will Come?
A man and van is exactly that one person and a van. For studio flats and single items, one person is usually sufficient. For anything larger, or for properties without a lift or with difficult access, a single driver-mover quickly becomes a bottleneck.
Ask how many people are included in your quote. Most man with van London services charge for additional movers separately typically £25–35/hr per extra person. For a 2-bedroom flat, adding a second person often reduces the total bill by shortening the job significantly.
Think about:
- Is there a lift at both addresses?
- Are there stairs, and how many flights?
- How heavy is the furniture?
- Are there items that genuinely need two people to carry safely (large sofas, wardrobes, pianos, American-style fridges)?
What to check: Confirm how many people are included and whether you need to add a mover for your specific job.
7. Does the Company Know London?
This sounds obvious but it matters more than most people realise. A man with van service that genuinely knows London understands:
- Which streets have Controlled Parking Zones and when they operate
- That Canary Wharf high-rises require goods lift pre-booking
- That Victorian terraces in Hackney have narrow staircases and tight hallways
- That the access road behind many Shoreditch warehouses is delivery-only until noon
- That parking on Kensington Church Street during business hours is effectively impossible without a suspension permit
A company that asks you where you are moving from and to not just for the quote, but to flag access challenges before moving day is a company that has done this before.
What to check: Ask whether your specific areas have any known parking or access challenges. A knowledgeable operator tells you without being asked.
8. What Is the Payment Method?
This catches people out more than it should. Some man and van London services are cash only. Some accept bank transfer. Some accept PayPal but PayPal often carries an additional service charge. Very few accept card on the day.
Know the payment method before moving day turning up without the right payment option on a day when you are already stressed is avoidable with one question upfront.
Also confirm: is payment taken before, during, or after the move? Most reputable services take payment on completion of the job, which gives you recourse if something goes wrong.
What to check: Confirm accepted payment methods and when payment is taken. Know about any surcharges (e.g. PayPal fees) before the day.
9. Is There a Parking Suspension Permit at Both Addresses?
This is entirely your responsibility as the customer not the van company’s but a good man and van in London service will remind you.
In most London boroughs, residential streets operate Controlled Parking Zones. Without a parking suspension permit, the van may not be able to stop outside your property, which means a longer carry from further down the street, which means more time, which means a higher bill.
Apply to your local borough council at least 2 weeks before moving day. Both your old address and your new address may need separate permits, they are managed by different councils if you are crossing borough boundaries.
Common London councils you may need to contact:
- Hackney, Islington, Tower Hamlets, Camden, Southwark all operate tight CPZs across most streets
- Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea – among the most restricted in London
- Outer boroughs are generally easier but permits are still recommended
What to check: Have you applied for parking permits at both addresses? If not, do it at least 2 weeks before moving day.
10. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
Before you book any man and van London service, have a brief conversation about their process if something is damaged or goes wrong on the day. A professional company has a clear answer:
- Report any damage at the point of delivery, before the driver leaves
- The driver notes the damage
- You receive a reference number
- A claim is made against the goods-in-transit insurance
A company that is vague, evasive, or dismissive when you ask this question before you have even booked is telling you something important about how they will respond if something actually does go wrong.
What to check: Ask directly what the process is for reporting damage. Confirm that goods-in-transit insurance is active (see point 4). Get a contact number for the company, not just the driver.
Summary – The Pre-Booking Checklist
Before you confirm any man with a van London booking, run through these 10 questions:
| # | Question | What You Need to Hear |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Is the van ULEZ compliant? | Yes — no surcharge |
| 2 | What is the minimum charge? | Stated clearly in £ |
| 3 | Does the Congestion Charge apply? | Checked against your route |
| 4 | What insurance do you carry? | Goods-in-transit + public liability |
| 5 | Is the price fixed or hourly? | Clearly stated, with time estimate if hourly |
| 6 | How many people are included? | Stated clearly, cost of extras given |
| 7 | Do you know my area? | Specific knowledge of your streets |
| 8 | What payment methods are accepted? | Confirmed before moving day |
| 9 | Do I need a parking permit? | Yes — apply 2 weeks before |
| 10 | What happens if something is damaged? | Clear process confirmed |
A company that answers all ten confidently before you have paid anything is a company worth booking.
What Makes A Man With A Van London Different
We cover all 10 of the above on every booking. Our drivers have been navigating London since 2008, they know the parking restrictions in Camden, the goods lift booking process at Canary Wharf, and the access restrictions on streets across all 32 boroughs.
Every job is covered by goods-in-transit and public liability insurance as standard. ULEZ compliant fleet, no surcharge. Congestion Charge confirmed before every move. Transparent pricing: the price quoted is the price paid.
To book or get an instant quote, visit book man and van london or call 07702894895 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a man and van in London?
Prices start from £50/hr for a small van with driver, with a 2-hour minimum (from £100). A typical 1-bedroom flat move costs £130–£260 depending on duration and van size. See our full man and van London prices for a complete breakdown.
How far in advance should I book a man and van in London?
For weekday moves, 1–2 weeks is usually enough. For weekend and end-of-month moves, book 3–4 weeks in advance. These slots fill quickly across all reputable London man and van services.
Do I need a man and van or a full removal company?
For most moves up to a 3-bedroom property, a man with a van in London is the most cost-effective option. Full removal companies make sense for very large moves or long-distance relocations. For London moves, man and van services offer more flexibility, faster booking, and lower cost.
What is the difference between a man and van and a man with a van?
Nothing, they refer to the same service. “Man and van”, “man with a van”, “man with van” and “man van London” are all used interchangeably across London. The service is a driver plus a van for moving belongings from one address to another.
Planning your move in London? Read our other guides or service:
- House Removals London for a complete guide to house moves across all 32 boroughs
- Moving to East London area guide and van hire tips
- Student Removals London everything you need to know about moving as a student in London
- Man and Van London Prices a full pricing breakdown by van size
