HOW TO HIRE · REMOVALS & STORAGE

How to hire a man with a van in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

No register covers a man with a van. Check goods-in-transit cover, the hourly terms and — for rubbish — the waste carrier number.

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  • 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

  1. Say what is movingItems, boxes, stairs, distance — a list gets an honest estimate.
  2. Agree how time is countedFrom arrival to finish, or including travel; and the minimum hours.
  3. Ask about goods-in-transit coverWhether your items are insured in the van, and the limit.
  4. Rubbish? Check the waste carrier numberTaking waste away needs registration.
  5. Read the cancellation termsA move booked for a date has no legal cooling-off.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

No licence or register applies to men with vans in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, so the protection is in the insurance, the written contract and the inventory. Trade association membership is voluntary. Gov.uk says an operator licence is needed for goods vehicles over 3,500 kg gross plated weight; a standard van below that needs none, so there is no licence to check for most man-with-a-van jobs.

Ask for the terms, the insurance details and the claims procedure in writing before booking. Ask what van is coming and its size, so the load fits in one trip. gov.uk →

Waste carrier registration

A man with a van who drives away unwanted furniture or rubbish is transporting waste as a business, which needs registration: with the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA in Scotland or the NIEA in Northern Ireland.

Ask for the carrier number and search it on the public register before anything leaves. environment.data.gov.uk →

Reasonable care and skill

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes reasonable care and skill a term of every service contract, so damage a man with a van causes by careless handling is a breach.

Note any damage on the inventory at unloading, with photographs, before signing. legislation.gov.uk →

Cancellation terms

Regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 excludes transport of goods booked for a specific date from the 14-day cancellation right, so a dated move with a man with a van has no legal cooling-off period. The written cancellation terms decide what you pay if plans change.

Get the cancellation and postponement charges in writing before paying a deposit. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

A van move within the UK is standard-rated, so a man with a van who is registered adds 20% to the hourly rate or fixed price and to travel time. Transport to or from a place outside the UK is zero-rated for that part. Registration becomes compulsory once a man with a van has VAT-taxable turnover over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months; from then VAT must be charged and shown as a separate line on the invoice.

Ask the man with a van whether they are VAT-registered and, if so, for the VAT number before the day. gov.uk →

“How does a man with a van charge — by the hour or a fixed price?”

A good answer: A clear rate, minimum and how travel is counted.

“Is my stuff insured with a man with a van?”

A good answer: Goods-in-transit cover and its limit, or a straight no.

“Will the man with a van help carry, or is it van only?”

A good answer: Clear: driver helps, or a second person costs extra.

“Can a man with a van take rubbish to the tip?”

A good answer: Only with a waste carrier number you can check.

“Is the van big enough for one trip?”

A good answer: Van size against your list.

“What are the cancellation terms?”

A good answer: Written — no legal cooling-off for a dated job.

“How do you protect furniture?”

A good answer: Blankets and straps in the van.

Getting the quote right

  • Hourly rate or fixed price, and the minimum
  • Who actually attends with the van: the driver you booked, helpers they employ, or a subcontracted driver
  • Number of helpers
  • Travel time and fuel
  • Goods-in-transit cover
  • Cancellation terms
  • The VAT number if registered, with VAT at 20% on the hours or fixed price shown separately

Walk away if

  • No insurance for your goods
  • Rubbish taken with no carrier number
  • Cash only, no name
  • Time counted from their last job
LOW
£50
TYPICAL
£60
HIGH
£80

What a man with a van costs: £50–£80 per hour

A man with a van is usually charged by the hour with a minimum booking; distance, helpers and stairs set how many hours it takes. 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

Men with 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.

  1. ArriveOn time, van sized for the list.
  2. ProtectBlankets and straps ready.
  3. LoadHeavy items first, strapped in.
  4. DriveLoad secured, direct route.
  5. UnloadItems placed where you want, time agreed.

Goods-in-transit
Insurance for your items while carried.
Minimum hours
The shortest booking charged.
Gross plated weight
A vehicle's maximum legal weight.
Operator licence
Needed for business goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Waste carrier number
Registration to take rubbish away.
Two-man service
Driver plus a helper.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the receiptWith the name, date and hours.
Check items on arrivalBefore they leave.
Report damage quicklyIn writing, with photos.
Close it with a reviewOnce you are happy with the man with a van's work, review it; if you are not, the make-it-right step comes before the review.

STEP 1Give them the chance to fix itMost problems with the job are put right once raised clearly. Ask the man with a van in writing to redo the faulty part; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says that must happen within a reasonable time and at their cost.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the man with a van under four stars and you are asked whether to send it to them first; we follow it through. Then review.
STEP 3A trade body, or Trading StandardsIf the man with a van belongs to a trade association, use its dispute or ombudsman service. Trading Standards is reached through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline (0808 223 1133) in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4If all else failsA dispute with the man with a van worth up to £10,000 in England and Wales, £5,000 in Scotland or £5,000 in Northern Ireland can go to the small-claims court; fees start at £35 in England and Wales.

Hiring a man with a van: questions people ask

Not for a van under 3,500 kg gross plated weight. Taking rubbish away needs a waste carrier registration.

Not as a legal right if the move is for a specific date: regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 excludes transport of goods booked that way. The man with a van's written terms decide any charge.

Roughly £50–£80 an hour, typically £60. What you pay depends on the job; the man with a van price guide shows why, and the search above finds men with vans near you.

Only if they have goods-in-transit cover; ask before booking.

Only if they are a registered waste carrier; check the number.

Give a full list; most small moves take a few hours.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in removals & storage

How to hire: Home RemovalsHow to hire: Junk & Rubbish RemovalHow to hire: Furniture DisposalHow to hire: Packing & Unpacking ServiceHow to hire: Furniture StorageHow to hire: Self StorageHow to hire: Piano RemovalsHow to hire: House ClearanceAll 701 hiring guides →

Men with vans near you

Men with vans in LondonMen with vans in ManchesterMen with vans in BirminghamMen with vans in GlasgowMen with vans in BelfastAll men with vans on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — being a goods vehicle operator
  2. gov.uk — register as a waste carrier, broker or dealer (England)
  3. Environment Agency — public register of waste carriers
  4. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  5. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts excluded from the cancellation right
  6. Civil Procedure Rules Part 26 — the small claims track (England and Wales)
  7. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money (simple procedure)
  8. nidirect — the small claims process (Northern Ireland)
  9. Freight transport and associated services (VAT Notice 744B) — 4.1 Place of supply is the UK (standard rated)
  10. GOV.UK — VAT rates
  11. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register