A man and van in Manchester is charged by the hour, and the price depends mainly on how many people come and how long the job takes. At PM Movers hourly rates start from £34 for a van with a driver, £44 with a driver who also helps load, and £54 for a driver plus a helper. Furniture blankets, straps and a sack trolley are included, and there are no hidden fees.
What the hourly rate covers
- A 3.5 tonne Luton van with a tail lift.
- Furniture blankets, tie-down straps and a sack trolley.
- Goods-in-transit insurance.
- A DBS-checked driver, with a helper on the two-person plan.
What changes the final price
- Crew size: one person is cheaper per hour than two, but slower on a big load.
- Time: loading, the drive between addresses and unloading all count.
- Distance between the two addresses.
- Access: stairs, no lift, or a long walk from where the van can park.
- Extras such as dismantling and reassembling furniture, or packing.
A worked example
These sums are for illustration only. The hours are made up to show the arithmetic, and your quote depends on your move.
A three-hour job with a driver who also helps load, at £44/hr, is £132. Now take a bigger load. Four hours at £44/hr is £176, but if a driver and helper finish it in three hours at £54/hr, that is £162. A bigger crew costs more per hour and can still cost less overall if it finishes sooner. It will not always work out that way, which is why it is worth asking for a price on both.
Ways to keep the bill down
- Pack and label everything before the van arrives, so time is spent moving and not wrapping.
- Take furniture apart in advance, or ask us to do it and allow for the time.
- Make sure the van can park close to the door at both ends, and book the lift if your building has one.
- Give an honest list of what is moving so the quote matches the job.
- Choose the crew size that fits the load, not the cheapest hourly rate.
Questions to ask any removals company
- Is the price hourly or fixed, and is anything charged on top?
- Is goods-in-transit insurance included, and what does it cover?
- Are blankets, straps and a trolley included?
- Will their own crew turn up, or is the job passed to a subcontractor?
Ours: hourly pricing agreed before you book, insurance and equipment included, our own crews, and no hidden fees. See the full pricing, read about our man and van service, or ask for a free quote.