The Ultimate Guide To Hiring A Man and Van
Have you decided on moving to a new home? If so, then you’d be glad to know that you don’t have to do every aspect of your move without any help! You may always enlist the help of a man with a van, as their services are sure to make your whole moving experience much easier!
WhatStorage can provide you with options for local man and van services which will meet your budget, schedule and requirements, wherever you may be among the many cities and towns we serve. Moreover, we encourage our partners to provide you with competitive pricing, which means you will get a choice of quality, cost-effective movers!
What is a Man and Van?
A Man and Van service, by its very definition, involves a man and, you guessed it, his van! Their purpose? To move or transport items from one point to another.
Most man and van services are made up of one or two people in a single van, typically offering local delivery and transportation services. It’s not much different from a removals company or a large moving company, however, a man with a van is more amenable to smaller moving projects.
A Man with a Van can help with the following:
Home or Office Removals
Are you moving houses or offices? A man and van company can help you haul and transport your belongings for you. All you have to do is get everything ready to go, and they’ll handle the rest.
A man and van is useful for office and house moves of any size.
Single Item Collection and Delivery
If you’ve purchased or sold a piece of furniture, appliance or equipment, you may avail man and van services to handle the collection and delivery of your goods.
Parcel Deliveries
If you have some packages or parcels that you want to be delivered, you may also employ the help of a man with a van!
Self Storage Move-ins
Looking to move some clutter over to a self storage unit, but have no way of getting your stuff there? A man and van can definitely help you out! They’ll help you load your stuff into their van and surely help you carry everything into your storage unit.
Student Removals
Are you heading to university? Then a man and van is the perfect way to get your belongings from A to B. Man and van companies are experienced and equipped with the right tools to help you transport large items such as desks, beds, and sofas. They can also help you move bulky and awkward items that would normally be difficult to fit in a car or taxi.
Moreover, you will find that some man and van companies offer a ‘students’ removal package that includes packing materials, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right boxes or bags for your belongings.
Furniture Removals
Need to move that large leather sofa or wooden dining table? You don’t have to worry about trying to fit it into your car. A man and van is the perfect solution for moving bulky furniture items, no matter how difficult they may be.
With Luton vans designed to handle large items, you can be sure that your furniture will arrive safely and sound at its destination. Moreover, most furniture removal man and van companies have experienced drivers trained in handling delicate items and the necessary equipment required for lifting and loading.
Singe Item Transfers
Aside from furniture pieces, you’ll find that man and van companies are also the perfect choice for moving single items, such as pianos, large appliances, or pool tables. And since they already have the right tools to handle these items and secure them in the Luton van, you can be sure that everything will arrive on time and sound at its destination.
Rubbish Clearance
Although it is often overlooked, many man and van companies also offer rubbish clearance services. Whether this is after moving house or office, you will be able to call them for help in clearing out old furniture and other items that no longer need to be kept.
This is also a great option when you declutter your home or office and want to dispose of unwanted items responsibly and efficiently. That means you don’t have to worry about hiring an external company or trying to fit all your waste into the back of a car. A man and van company can provide you with the extra help you need to get the job done quickly, safely, and properly.
Reasons Why A Man And Van Is The Perfect Choice Of Mover
Here are some reasons you will want to choose a man with a van to help you out with your home move.
A Man With A Van Can Keep Your Belongings Just As Safe As Moving Companies Would
Because men with vans are often experienced professionals who have been in the moving industry for a long time, they can handle your items with the same amount of care that a commercial moving company would.
This means that you can rest assured knowing that all your belongings will be safe during transportation, no matter how long it takes! Moreover, this means you won’t have to worry about having any damaged belongings repaired or replaced!
You will also find that nowadays, most man and van companies offer a handful of the services that only moving companies typically would. This includes:
- Providing packing materials and packing up your belongings
- Taking apart furniture and putting it back together in your new place of residence
- Loading the content of your new home into a moving truck or vehicle
- Unloading all items from the van and organising them in your new flat or house
A Man With A Van Offers Flexibility
Another great thing about hiring a man with a van to help you with your house move is that they are very flexible. For example, most of them will allow you to choose when and where they can pick up all your belongings – so if there’s any specific time or place that makes it easier for you to move, they will be willing to work around it!
Moreover, you will find that the most reliable removal companies are usually booked all year round and that any date or time may be unavailable. However, most man with van companies will be available on short notice, so you won’t have to worry about any delays or changes in your moving schedule.
A Man And Van Is Affordable
Removal companies, a man with a van, and a group of your closest friends and family all fall at different price points. Of course, there will always be the question of how much money you can spend, but a man and van company is usually the most affordable option of the three.
This is because, as mentioned before, a man with a van can provide the same services that a professional moving company can. However, because they are more flexible than most commercial movers and have fewer overheads, you will be able to enjoy these benefits at much lower prices!
“But wouldn’t hiring friends and family be cheaper? You’ll just have to feed them!” In theory, yes. However, if you factor in the cost of vehicle rentals, fuel, food for everyone, and the additional risk of your items being damaged, you will find that a man and van service is cheaper.
Want to know more about how man and van services are computed? Check this out.
Read more about how to save man and van costs here.
Man And Van Companies Have Exceptional Local Knowledge
Local movers are not just the best choice when you’re planning a local move – they will also be able to tell you about any current road closures, traffic jams, and other things that may cause your moving time to increase.
Moreover, since most man with van companies are small-time businesses run by locals who have been in the area for many years, they can quickly provide you with local knowledge that will prove very useful for your move.
For example, if any events are happening in the area at the time of your moving day, they would know about it and could tell you how best to avoid these things! Similarly, man with vans who have been driving through certain routes for a very long time could tell you about any road closures or construction works that would affect your travel time.
Despite being local the best option for local moves, though, you’ll be glad to know that some man and van companies will still be open to helping you with long-distance moves as well!
Man And Van Services Have Liability Insurance
Just like other professional movers and house removals experts, man and van companies usually have liability insurance.
The reason for this is that if your goods get damaged during the move, you will be able to claim damages from their insurance – which means that they need to make sure all of their employees are well-trained in handling delicate items!
However, it’s worth noting that while man with vans will usually have liability insurance, it is still advisable to take out your insurance and be fully insured before the move. Since man with vans are not considered as professional moving companies or house movers, their liability insurance may have limitations in coverage or other terms that you would be better off without!
Man And Van Services Are Highly-Trained In The Industry
Lastly, it’s also worth noting that since man and van companies have been around for a very long time, they are considered one of the best options within the moving industry. This is because, as mentioned earlier, these companies usually provide many commercial services – which means that you can rest assured knowing your goods will be in good hands!
Moreover, most man with van companies have been around for many years, which means they are very experienced in the industry. This is because, over time, professionals like these learn from their mistakes and improve their services – meaning you will be able to benefit from all of this knowledge during your move!
How Are Man and Van Costs Computed?
There are many factors that go into the computation of man and van costs. Here are the most common ones that typically affect man and van prices:
- Rates per hour
- Amount of items
- Kind of vehicle used
- Distance of journey
- Additional services like packing/unpacking
- Parking and toll prices
This flexibility is one of the best reasons you should use a man with a van for your next office relocation.
Things To Consider When Hiring Professional Movers
Of course, when you are looking to hire a man and van, it is important that you approach things systematically rather than settling for the first one you see. Here are some times you may want to keep in mind while choosing the man and van you will want to hire:
1. Find out as much as you can about your moving company
Because these man and van companies will potentially be handling your most valuable and precious belongings, it wouldn’t hurt to get to know them a bit. Perform some due diligence on your prospective companies.
You may do this by checking out the company’s reviews online or even ask the company itself for customer references, as well as some information on their equipment, experience and credentials.
2. Ask about their insurance coverage
Most man and van companies provide insurance coverage for the items they will be carrying and transporting for you. Be sure to check all the provisions as well as the fine print before settling.
3. Don’t be afraid to discuss your requirements in detail with your moving company
A move is only ever successful when you are satisfied with the service your man and van company will provide. In order to make sure that they meet your expectations, be sure to lay out all your expectations on the table.
Let them know your schedule, how you expect the move is going to take, what items you’ll be asking them to carry, how difficult it will be to haul your stuff (i.e. Are there too many flights of stairs? Will they have to navigate a maze of narrow hallways? Will there be no lift or elevator to make the job much easier?)
Having this conversation effectively lets them know what your expectations are, and gives them the opportunity to let you know if your expectations are attainable or too far a reach.
This will also ensure that there will be no surprise additional costs in the end, as you have already laid everything out in the open beforehand.
4. Do not rush
While you may be on a strict timeline, a hasty decision on which man and van hire services you will settle for can cause a lot of trouble and regrets down the line. Make sure to deliberate and compare all your prospective man and van companies and make sure to read any contracts or website fine print carefully. For tips, check out this moving home checklist.
Here are more tips to remember when hiring a man and van.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How big are man and van vehicles?
Different man and van companies often use vans of different sizes depending on customer requirements. There are four common van sizes used, though. The Small, Medium, Large and Luton sizes. Here’s a comprehensive van size guide to help you identify which works best for your needs.
2. Do man and van companies provide packing services?
Most companies do, for an extra fee. Just ask your prospective moving company for details on their packing services.
3. How about furniture assembly?
Like packing and unpacking your stuff, some companies also offer furniture assembly services for an extra fee. Again, just let your moving company and they’ll be sure to accommodate your needs, if possible. Find more extra helpful tips on moving large objects such as wooden-burning stove in this article.
4. Can I book a man and van service at the last minute?
Definitely! Provided that your prospective mover is available, they’ll surely be happy to work even last minute. Check out these list of things you should not forget during your move.
5. Can a man with a van handle antiques and precious art?
Some have the necessary equipment and training to do so, but not all the time. It is still much advisable for you to handle such valuable items yourself to ensure their safety and security, as well as your peace of mind.
6. Are there any items I cannot load in the moving van?
For sure. For starters, dangerous or hazardous materials, stolen and illegal goods, perishable items, environmentally harmful items, explosive goods, bio-hazardous material, poison, weapons, firearms, plants and animals are usually not allowed in the moving van.
However, to make sure that you are not loading any prohibited items into the moving van, it would be best for you to ask a complete list of non-allowable items from your moving company.
7. What is the difference between a man and van and a removals company?
Removal companies and man and van companies are quite similar when it comes to its main purpose, which is to transport items from one point to another. However, their difference mostly comes in the size of the job. For small scale moves, most make use of a man and van service. But, if they are in need of bigger lorries or trucks to cover their move, then it would be much advisable to use a removals company.
Moreover, most man and van services operate with one or two people, while a removals company often operates with a whole team of professionally trained movers. Additionally, all removals companies offer packing and unpacking services, while not all man and van companies do.
Read about the Advantages of Using A Man and Van for A House Move
What To Keep In Mind Before Hiring A Man And Van Service
Now that you know some of the benefits of man and van services, here are some things you should remember before hiring one:
Compare Multiple Quotes
You can find several man and van services online but remember not to book right away with the cheapest option you see. Compare the prices, services and other factors before deciding on which company to hire. Does a company coffer transit insurance? How about special fees for delicate items like washing machines? These are some of the things that you will want to find out when examining every quote that comes your way.
Doing this will help you ensure that you are getting a good deal, as well as excellent service.
Insist On Receiving A Written Quote
As you collect quotes, remember to ask for a written quote from each company. This will help you keep track of what is being offered and avoid any surprises later on.
This will also make the process of comparing quotes easier for you.
Various Factors Go Into Computing Man and Van Costs
There is no fixed price or standard man and van cost. Instead, the cost of a man and van will depend on several factors such as your location, petrol costs, how many workers you need for the job, van size, how much items there are to move, the need for multiple trips, additional services, and so on.
Knowing these factors can help you ensure that you will not be dealing with hidden charges or overpriced services from your man and van removals team.
Read more about the factors that go into the man and van pricing here.
Arrange A Pre-Move Survey For More Accurate Man and Van Quotes
Some companies offer a pre-move survey so that they can get an idea of the items that need to be moved and give you a more accurate quote. This is something you should consider, especially if you have a lot of belongings or if your move is complicated.
Also, remember to be honest with your man and van service provider about the items you’re moving. Don’t try to downplay or overestimate the number of items because this can lead to problems during the move.
Ask About Insurance
Some man and van services offer insurance cover while others don’t. Make sure that you know what type of insurance they are offering first before any agreement is made final. This can help protect your belongings in case something unexpected happens during the move, such as breakage or loss, among other things.
Look For Reviews
Before hiring a man and van service, make sure that you check out their reviews online. This will give you an idea of the quality of service they offer and if they are reliable or not. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so it’s best to do your research before hiring anyone.
Declutter Your Belongings
Whether you are availing of your man and van company’s packing services or not, it is greatly encouraged that you declutter your belongings before you or your moving team start packing for the move. This will help make the process easier and less stressful for everyone involved.
When you’re done decluttering, you’ll have an idea of which items to keep and which ones to get rid of. You can then either sell or donate these items so that they don’t take up space in your new home.
Make An Inventory Of The Items You Wish To Take During Your House Move
This is also something that you should do regardless of whether or not you avail your man and van company’s packing services. By making a list of all the items that are being moved, it will be easier for everyone involved to know what has been loaded in the truck already and what remains to be done.
This is also a good way to keep track of your belongings and make sure that nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Be Present But Do Not Hover As They Do Their Job
It is natural for you to want to be present during the move in order to oversee everything but try not to hover over your man and van team. This can make them feel uncomfortable and anxious, which will only slow down the process.
Be available if they have any questions or need help with anything but otherwise, let them do their job so that they can move quickly and efficiently.
These are just some of the things you should remember before hiring a man and van service for your upcoming house move. By following these tips, you’ll be able to avoid any potential problems and have a smooth transition into your new home.