A man and van is easy to find and harder to vet. Before you hand over your belongings, run these five checks — they take minutes and filter out most of the risk, whether you are moving in Glasgow, Lanarkshire or further across Scotland.
Ask for a written, itemised quote
A reliable mover asks about your inventory, floors, access and both postcodes before quoting, then puts the price in writing. The quote should state the crew size, the hours or fixed price, what mileage is included and how stairs or waiting are treated.
Be wary of a price given with no questions asked. It usually means the number will change on the day, when you have the least room to negotiate.
Check insurance and licences
Ask whether the service carries goods-in-transit insurance and what it covers. For any clearance or rubbish removal, the operator must be a registered waste carrier — ask for the licence and where the waste goes.
These are normal questions and a professional answers them directly. Hesitation or vagueness is a signal to keep looking.
Look for local knowledge and clear communication
A mover who works your area knows the tenements, the parking restrictions and the realistic travel times. Test communication before booking: send your postcodes and item list and see whether you get a clear, specific reply or a generic one.
Finally, agree how updates work on the day. Photo confirmations and WhatsApp updates when you cannot be on site are a good sign of an organised operator.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pay a deposit to a man and van?+
Practices vary. Whatever the arrangement, get the quote, the date and the payment terms in writing before any money moves.