Man and van cost is the first thing anyone asks, and it is the question most removal websites dodge. Our rates are the same whether you are moving a single sofa in Coatbridge or a three-bed house from Glasgow to Falkirk: £40 per hour for one man and a van, £70 per hour for two men, the first 10 miles included and £1 per mile after that. This guide breaks down where the hours actually go, so you can predict the total before you book.
The hourly rate is only half the price
Two jobs at the same hourly rate can end up hundreds of pounds apart, because the price is the rate multiplied by realistic time on site. A ground-floor flat with everything boxed and a parking bay outside loads in about 45 minutes. The same volume on a third-floor tenement with no lift and a 60-metre carry to the van can take three times as long.
That is why we always ask four questions before quoting: floor number and lift, parking distance at both ends, whether furniture needs dismantling, and whether everything is packed. Answer those honestly and the quote you get on WhatsApp is the price you pay.
- One man and van — £40 per hour, ideal for single items and small flats
- Two men and van — £70 per hour, faster and safer for houses and heavy furniture
- First 10 miles included, then £1 per mile of driving distance
- Loading, blankets, straps, trolleys and floor protection are included, never billed as extras
Realistic price brackets by job size
These brackets come from the jobs we run week in, week out across Glasgow, Coatbridge, Airdrie, Motherwell, Wishaw, Falkirk and Newmains. Local means pickup and delivery within the same or a neighbouring postcode area.
| Job | Crew | Typical time | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single sofa, bed or fridge | 1–2 men | 1–2 hours | £40–£140 |
| Studio or 1-bed flat, local | 2 men | 2–3 hours | £140–£210 |
| 2-bed flat or small house, local | 2 men | 3–5 hours | £210–£350 |
| 3-bed house, local | 2–3 men | 5–8 hours | £350–£560 |
| Garage or house clearance | 2 men | 2–4 hours | £140–£280 |
Where the hidden costs usually hide
The genuinely nasty surprises in removals almost never come from the hourly rate. They come from congestion charges, waiting time while keys are collected, a second trip because the van was too small, or a clearance firm charging a tip fee on arrival.
Ask any company you contact to confirm in writing whether mileage, waiting time, stairs and disposal are inside or outside the quoted price. If the answer is vague, that is your answer.
- Waiting for keys — we hold the van rather than leave, and only the actual time counts
- Second trips — send us a rough inventory and we send the right van the first time
- Stairs — included in the written quote once we know the floor and lift situation
- Disposal — waste clearance prices include the tip run to a licensed transfer station
How to bring the cost down without cutting corners
Every hour you save is £40 or £70 back in your pocket, and most of that time is won before the van arrives. Boxes stacked by the door, wardrobes emptied, and a parking space reserved outside will typically shave an hour off a flat move.
Mid-month and midweek slots are easier to book than the last Friday of the month, when almost every Scottish tenancy ends at once. If your dates are flexible, say so — it usually means a wider choice of times.
- Pack and label everything the night before, including the kettle box
- Dismantle flat-pack furniture yourself if you are confident rebuilding it
- Reserve parking at both ends, or tell us where the nearest legal loading point is
- Book midweek or mid-month where possible
- Combine jobs — a clearance on the same visit as a move avoids a second call-out
Frequently asked questions
Is a man and van cheaper than a removal company?+
For flats, single items and small houses, yes. A traditional removal firm prices a full crew and lorry for a whole day; a man and van charges only the hours you use, from £40 per hour.
Do you charge a minimum booking?+
Local jobs have a two-hour minimum, which covers the crew turning out and loading. Anything beyond that is charged by the hour.
Is mileage charged both ways?+
No. We charge £1 per mile on the driving distance from pickup to delivery, and the first 10 miles of that are already included.