
Insights
Man and van vs. full removal service: which fits your move
When a man and van fits the job, when a full removal is the right call, a straight comparison.
Man and van and full removals are two different services, not two price points. Here's when each is the right choice.
Man and van fits best when
The load fits in one Luton-van trip.
You're happy doing most of the lifting with a driver helping.
The move is short distance (under 30 miles).
Packing is done already (or doesn't need doing).
Pricing for small jobs feels uncertain because the scope is uncertain.
Examples: student move, one-bedroom flat, single room, house clearance, furniture delivery.
Full removal fits best when
You've got a whole house (2+ bedrooms).
You want the crew to handle the lift start to finish.
Distance is meaningful (more than a local move).
Fragile items need proper handling.
You want packing included.
Fixed price matters to you.
Examples: 3-bed family home, cross-country move, any move with kids and pets where you don't want to be lifting.
Pricing shape
Man and van is typically £45–£65 an hour (including driver) for a Luton van in the Gillingham area.
Full removals are fixed-quoted, typically £450–£1,200 for a local 2–4 bed move.
Hybrid: small full-service move
For flat moves too small for full removal but needing more than a man and van, we quote a half-day fixed price for a 1-bed move. Often the best value at that scope.
How to decide
If you're unsure, ask for both quotes. We'll come back with a recommendation based on what actually matches your move. Usually there's a clear winner.
More from the blog
Keep reading
Moving house checklist UK: an 8-week countdown from Connor at Marley Moves
The 8-week UK moving house checklist Connor walks customers through on the phone — week-by-week, ticked off, no panic.
Read →When moves change at the last minute: what we can flex
Delayed completions, pushed-forward dates, route changes. What we can do and what we can't.
Read →A day in the life: what a Marley Moves crew actually does
Behind the scenes of a typical move day — 5am start, long lift, settle-in.
Read →Free fixed quote
Like the sound of us?
We send most quotes back within two working hours, fixed in writing before move day, with the insurance certificate in the same email. Pick whichever bit fits your pace.