When it comes to moving house, it can be an extremely stressful experience, and sometimes you can truly benefit from hiring a professional. Not only are your belongings protected – which is key – but they are also experts in their field and will be able to plan the day accordingly as well as moving your items from Destination A to Destination B.
Not every move will require a massive moving truck. Nor will it necessarily need a whole group of people from the company to move it. A man and van firm might be exactly what you need for your next move. Not only is it sometimes more convenient, but it is also much more affordable.
You might have a preconception about van drivers, but this is completely unwarranted and based on the actions of the few, not the many. Now, it is extremely difficult for van companies to provide bad service without a care as they do not want negative internet or word-of-mouth reviews. There is still the chance you might be unfortunate enough to come across an awful firm, but there are plenty of great firms out there that can help you on your moving day.
Hiring A Man And A Van
No matter the move you need, a man and his van should be able to help if it is on a smaller scale. There are many house removal services that van firms offer including furniture removal, waste disposal and even packaging. These are alongside the general transportation of your items from A to B. Some van firms even offer specialist services so be sure to discuss this with the firm you are using.
A small van will not be big enough for larger removal jobs, so it may be better to hire a lorry or a couple of vans if you are moving on a large scale. However, many firms offer hourly rates for hiring the van and the manpower you will need.
It is important to work out the best option for you, both in terms of practicality and financially. Know in advance what needs to be moved and how far and work out the best option for your move.
Is It Safe?
There is no need to worry – hiring a man and van firm is completely safe. Like other businesses, van firms are keen to deliver excellent customer service and appreciate good reviews from their previous customers – they are not likely to offer you bad service on purpose!
To ensure maximum safety, you should ensure you hire an established company (such as us, of course!) than a casual man with a van. You will want to check that they have legitimate positive reviews as well as an online presence with easily contactable details. Trustpilot is a great place to check for business reviews.
Any decent man with a van firm will have insurance to cover the possessions they are carrying. They need to be able to cover the costs should they unfortunately get damaged. Insurance should be offered as standard, and they should hold both Public Liability Insurance and Goods In Transit Insurance – make sure you check they hold this before hiring any company.
You should tell your chosen company what you need them to transport and how much it is worth, so they can ensure they have the right equipment and insurance coverage on the day. You might even find that some may feel they are unable to take on the job which then gives you time to find another reputable company instead.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of a man and van will vary from company to company, but most will charge hourly rates. The price varies depending on:
Vehicle size
Number of employees needed
Distance covered
Additional Insurance
Cost of storage
Any extra services
Whilst you can estimate the time spent moving, there is no accounting for what will happen on the day so prepare a modest budget for the move. You can always ask for a fixed job quote instead of an hourly rate if this is not for you, although you may still incur additional costs.
Smaller moves definitely benefit from hiring a man and van firm over a removal company. However, it might also be worth contacting larger removal companies as they may offer a similar service for a similar rate.
All you need to do is ensure you have the details of your moving day and what the move will entail. This will give you plenty of time to collect quotes from a variety of reputable companies and enjoy as much of a stress-free move as is possible.