No matter if you are a university student or a business owner, moving is no easy feat. Thankfully, there are moving services that can help save you time and effort, the two most popular being a man with van services and removal companies. But what is the difference between the two? And which one is right for you?
To make things a bit easier for you, we’ve developed a helpful guide to help you select the appropriate service for your next move.
As the name suggests, a man with a van (also known as man and van) is a transportation service made of one or two people who can move your belongings from A to B. They typically operate a medium-sized van within the local area. A man with a van service is ideal for:
Unlike the man with a van service, removal companies have larger teams, bigger vehicles and vast experience to handle all types of moves, including Victorian properties, international removals, and auto hauling. They also offer extra services, such as packing and furniture dismantling, to make moving easy and hassle-free. With well-trained staff and professional equipment, you can rest assured that your belongings are in safe hands.
When deciding which option to choose, it’s essential to understand the differences between a man with van service and a removal company. Here’s a table to better illustrate what each service offers:
| Factors | Man and Van | Removal company |
| Property type | Best for small properties like 1 bedroom homes or tiny offices. | Suitable for all properties |
| Number of movers | 1 or 2 | 2 or more |
| Duration | Ideal for one-day removals; Readily available at short notice; | From one day to couple weeks; May need to book well in advance; |
| Insurance coverage | May not have full insurance | Fully insured |
| Specialised equipment | Depends on the type of company | Wide range of specialised moving equipment |
| Distance | Covers short-distance relocations, typically within the city limits | Covers short and long distances. |
| Additional services | Most man and van establishments don’t offer additional services | Wide range of services available, such as packing, storage and furniture dismantling. |
No two moves are alike, and the choice between the two depends on many factors. If you are unsure whether you should hire a man and van or a removal company for your big move, here are questions to help you decide:
If you don’t mind heavy lifting and getting your hands dirty, then hiring a man with a van is the way to go. But if you’d rather sit back and let the professionals handle the dirty work, then a removal company is a better solution.
If the answer is more than one, then you may need to consider a removal company for the job.
With a man and a van service, you’ll get one or two professionals to help you with packing or loading. If you have large or heavy items requiring additional manpower, hire a professional removal company.
The same goes for items that require special care. Most removal companies offer specialised packing and transportation for fragile items such as fine art, antiques and other valuable pieces.
It’s no secret that hiring a man and a van is cheaper than removal services. While that sounds nice, it’s important to keep in mind that you may not get the quality of service that you actually require. Professional removal providers typically charge more because of the higher level of service they offer. Not only will they provide extra services to make your move as stress-free as possible, but they will also cover any damage sustained to your belongings in transit. Sometimes it’s worth paying that little more for a better, more reliable service.
If you’re looking to move without blood, sweat and tears and want to hire a reliable moving company, we got you covered. Here at Albert Miles, we’ve been involved with removals in the West Midlands since 2012.
Click here to get a free, no-obligation quote from reputable moving experts today.
