HOW TO HIRE · REMOVALS & STORAGE · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a man with a van in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A man with a van in Ireland costs €40–€90 per hour, typically around €60. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a man with a van in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers man with a van work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — clearances and Collections — whether you need to clear out a property or collect items from various locations, a 'Man with a Van' can facilitate these tasks efficiently.
- How does volume of items change the price?Quantity drives the hours more than anything else. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does time required for loading change the price?A half day and a full day are not twice the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does distance between locations change the price?The area sets the going rate as much as the job does. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Student Moves — students often require flexible moving solutions for their university accommodations — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a man with a van job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO LICENCE APPLIES TO REMOVALS FIRMS. The protection is the insurance, and the word to listen for is GOODS IN TRANSIT — public liability does not pay for your own property being damaged in their van. Trade membership of the Irish Association of Movers is voluntary and brings a complaints route.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
GOODS IN TRANSIT cover and its limit per item and in total — a €10,000 total on a four-bedroom move is not cover, it is a gesture; Whether the limit falls for items you pack yourself, which it usually does; A written inventory before loading, signed by both of you; How a claim is made and within what deadline — often days, not weeks; Whether the crew on the day are employees or casual labour; For storage, who insures the goods while stored and against what.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect goods in transit and public liability, with the limits named. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers man with a van work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — clearances and Collections — whether you need to clear out a property or collect items from various locations, a 'Man with a Van' can facilitate these tasks efficiently.
A good answer: Quantity drives the hours more than anything else. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A half day and a full day are not twice the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The area sets the going rate as much as the job does. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Student Moves — students often require flexible moving solutions for their university accommodations — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a man with a van job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect goods in transit and public liability, with the limits named — furniture Delivery — if you've purchased new furniture, a 'Man with a Van' can assist with delivery directly to your doorstep.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the man with a van starts, and an itemised invoice after — local Moves — A 'Man with a Van' service is perfect for local moves, whether you're relocating within the same city or moving to a nearby town.
Getting the quote right
- Volume of items — quantity drives the hours more than anything else.
- Time required for loading — a half day and a full day are not twice the price.
- Distance between locations — the area sets the going rate as much as the job does.
- Access issues — no parking nearby means a longer walk with every load.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: volume of items — quantity drives the hours more than anything else
- They will not talk about it: time required for loading — a half day and a full day are not twice the price
- They will not talk about it: distance between locations — the area sets the going rate as much as the job does
- A price for the man with a van before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the man with a van has begun
What a man with a van costs: €40–€90 per hour
Most man with a vans quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Home move and Office relocation each carry their own band. Man with a Van price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Man with a vans near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstVolume of items — quantity drives the hours more than anything else — that is what the man with a van is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneTime required for loading — a half day and a full day are not twice the price — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfDistance between locations — the area sets the going rate as much as the job does — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherAccess issues — no parking nearby means a longer walk with every load — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the man with a van is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, check that the provider has the necessary insurance to cover any potential damage during transit.
- Local Moves
- A 'Man with a Van' service is perfect for local moves, whether you're relocating within the same city or moving to a nearby town.
- Furniture Delivery
- If you've purchased new furniture, a 'Man with a Van' can assist with delivery directly to your doorstep.
- Student Moves
- Students often require flexible moving solutions for their university accommodations.
- Clearances and Collections
- Whether you need to clear out a property or collect items from various locations, a 'Man with a Van' can facilitate these tasks efficiently.
- Home Move
- Transporting household items from one residence to another, often including packing and unpacking assistance.
- Office Relocation
- Moving office furniture and equipment to a new business location, often requiring careful planning and organisation.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a man with a van: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on distance, the volume of items, and time required for loading and unloading. Additional services like packing or disassembly may also affect the overall price.
The duration of a job depends on the amount of items and the distance involved. A local move can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, but larger jobs may require more time.
For most standard items, a general 'Man with a Van' service is sufficient. However, if you have heavy or complex items like pianos or large appliances, you may need a specialist with the appropriate equipment.
Many 'Man with a Van' services offer same-day availability, especially for local moves. However, it’s advisable to book in advance to secure your preferred time slot.
Items such as hazardous materials, perishable goods, or large quantities of waste may be excluded from the service. It's important to clarify any restrictions with your chosen provider before the move.
NO LICENCE APPLIES TO REMOVALS FIRMS. The protection is the insurance, and the word to listen for is GOODS IN TRANSIT — public liability does not pay for your own property being damaged in their van. Trade membership of the Irish Association of Movers is voluntary and brings a complaints route.
MORE GUIDES