November 6, 2026
No single company is always the cheapest man and van. Your price depends on how much you’re moving, how far it’s going and how flexible your timing is. To get the lowest price, compare at least three quotes for the same job, describe your items accurately, and book off-peak or mid-week where you can. This guide covers what drives the price, compares six ways to find a driver, and gives you a checklist for booking safely.
Disclosure: this guide is published by Man & Van, the UK app that connects customers directly with local van drivers. Competitor details were last checked on 6 November 2026.
The cheapest man and van depends on load size, distance, timing and how flexible you are. Write one itemised list, send it to at least three providers and compare written quotes for that identical job. Book off-peak or mid-week, and confirm insurance, helpers and fuel are included before choosing the lowest price.
Every quote is built from the same few things, whoever gives it. If you know them, you can see why two quotes for “a sofa and some boxes” might be far apart, and which parts of the job you can change to bring the price down.
Most people in the UK find a cheap man and van in one of six places. Some connect you straight to a driver, some gather quotes or bids for you, and some are open listings where you check everyone yourself. Every “best for” below is general guidance, not a ranking by price.
Last checked: 6 November 2026.
| Option | How it works | Pricing model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man & Van app | A UK mobile app: you post your job, local drivers quote, you message them and book | Drivers send quotes for your job; you choose | Small single items, short local jobs and deliveries |
| AnyVan | A booking platform with a dedicated man and van service and a published cost guide | Quotes from providers for your job details | Buyers who want a price benchmark before booking |
| Shiply | A delivery marketplace where transporters compete for listed jobs | Competing transporter bids | Bulky one-off items where you’re happy to wait for bids |
| Compare My Move | A comparison service that passes your enquiry to moving firms | Comparison enquiries returning several quotes | Full house moves where you want removals quotes too |
| Checkatrade | A trade directory with “Man And A Van” listings by area | You contact listed businesses for quotes | People who want vetted tradespeople with reviews |
| Facebook Marketplace | Informal posts from individuals and small operators | Agreed privately, case by case | Casual second-hand pickups where you vet the driver yourself |
Man & Van is a UK mobile app that connects people who need items moved directly with local drivers who move them. It’s on the App Store and Google Play. Instead of one fixed price, you get free quotes from local rated independent drivers and pick the one that fits.
The Man & Van terms and conditions say customers and drivers should communicate through the app, and drivers must not cancel a confirmed booking to take direct payment. Problems should be reported within 14 days via support@manandvan.app or in-app chat, with evidence.
Drivers are listed in cities including Manchester, Sunderland and Birmingham.
These three save you ringing round, but they work differently. Knowing the model helps you judge the price you’re shown.
AnyVan has a dedicated man and van service page and a separate man and van cost guide. You enter your job and receive a quote. It suits buyers who want a reference price first: read the cost guide, then measure other quotes against it.
On Shiply, you list what needs moving and transporters bid for the job. Bidding can push the price down, especially if a driver is already heading your way and would otherwise run empty. It suits bulky one-off items with a flexible date. Read the bid’s inclusions and recent reviews of the transporter before accepting.
Compare My Move works as a comparison service: you submit one enquiry and moving firms come back with quotes. It suits larger moves where you want to weigh man and van quotes against removals companies. Confirm who will carry out the move and what each quote covers.
One is a structured trade directory; the other is an open marketplace where anyone can post.
Checkatrade lists man and van businesses by area with customer reviews. You compare listings and contact businesses for quotes yourself. Directory checks don’t replace your own: still ask each business for proof of its insurance.
Marketplace and local groups are full of “man with van, cheap rates” posts. You can find a low price, but there’s usually no platform holding a record of the job, no support team and no shared review history. You’re responsible for checking ID, insurance and reviews.
If you’ve just bought something second-hand on Marketplace, the seller only covers the item. Transporting it is a separate job you can book through an app or quote platform. Our guide to collecting furniture you’ve bought online explains how.
Follow these steps in order. Accurate quotes are cheaper quotes, because drivers don’t have to add a margin for surprises.
For more ways to cut the cost, see our money-saving moving tips.
A small saving doesn’t help if your table arrives broken and nobody is covered. Check this list before booking any lowest-price man and van.
These picks are general guidance based on how each option works, not a price ranking.
| Your situation | Where to start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small single items or short local jobs | Man & Van app | Local drivers quote directly and you can message them before booking |
| Full house move | Compare My Move, plus man and van quotes | One enquiry brings back several firms, including removals |
| Bulky one-off item, flexible date | Shiply | Transporters bid, and a driver already on the route may bid low |
| Want vetted tradespeople | Checkatrade | Businesses listed by area with reviews |
| Casual second-hand pickup | Facebook Marketplace or an app | Informal deals work if you do the checks yourself |
Cheap man and van vs removals company costs usually comes down to scale. A man and van is often enough when:
Get removals quotes too when you’re moving a family home in several van loads, need packing or storage, or have high-value items like pianos. Our man and van vs. removals comparison goes into more detail.
To find the cheapest man and van near you without phoning around, download Man & Van from the App Store or Google Play. Post your itemised list and access notes, hear back from local rated drivers, message them and book the quote that fits your load and budget. Questions first? Use our contact page.
There isn’t one national price. Each quote depends on volume, mileage, stairs, loading time, helpers and the date. For a benchmark, read AnyVan’s man and van cost page (checked 6 November 2026), then get at least three written quotes for your exact itemised job.
Use an app that shows local drivers, such as Man & Van, alongside a comparison or bidding site and a local directory. Drivers based near your pickup have less dead mileage to charge for. Send the same itemised list to each and compare at least three written quotes.
Hourly is often cheaper for short, predictable jobs where you’re packed and ready. A fixed price is safer when loading time is hard to guess, for example with stairs, furniture to dismantle or traffic. Ask for both and compare against realistic timings.
Often, yes. Fridays, weekends, month-end and term-start dates are busy, so drivers have less reason to lower prices. Mid-week slots usually have more drivers free. Give two or three possible dates when you ask for quotes.
It can be, but you take on all the checks yourself. There’s usually no platform, support team or review history behind the deal. Confirm the driver’s name, van registration, goods in transit and public liability insurance, and get a written price first.
Check the driver has goods in transit insurance for your items and public liability insurance for damage to property. Ask the limits and whether high-value items are excluded. Your home contents policy might also cover items in transit.
Yes. Single-item jobs like a sofa, fridge or wardrobe are often easy to price because the volume is small and loading is quick. Post the item with exact size and access details in an app like Man & Van so local drivers can quote.
