How to Calculate Your Man and Van Price
Understand what affects your moving costs and learn how to calculate your total price — so you only pay for the time and help you need.
We appreciate that understanding what services to book can be tricky. At Compare The Man And Van we want to make getting the right price for your move as simple as possible.
This guide explains exactly how moving van prices are calculated, so you can book with confidence and no hidden surprises.
Your total cost is based on three main factors:
Van Size
Choose a vehicle that fits your belongings — larger vans cost more, so only book the space you need.
Helpers
More hands mean faster moves, but each additional helper adds to the cost — balance speed with budget.
Time
Your total cost reflects the full move duration, including loading, travel, and unloading time.
Take the guesswork out of choosing your van size and the time required to load and unload with our handy Van Size Calculator.
Simply tell us what you want to move, where and when and we'll do the rest, giving you a recommended van size and time required.
Which Size Van Do I Need?
Small Van
The nimble specialist for up to 8 packed suitcases with car-like parking ease:
- Single room moves
- Student relocations
- Small furniture items
Medium Van
Perfect for smaller moves or transporting larger individual items. Plenty of space without the bulk:
- Studio or 1-bedroom flats
- Single large items like wardrobes or appliances
- Small office or partial home moves
Large Van
The go-to choice for professional movers everywhere, perfect for flats and smaller houses:
- 1-2 bedroom homes
- Larger furniture sets
- Smaller offices
Luton Van
The ultimate powerhouse for 2-bedroom moves and bulky furniture, when you need to fit it all in one go:
- 2+ bedroom homes
- House clearances
- Commercial relocations
For more information on choosing the right van, check out our Moving Van Size Guide.
How Many Helpers Do I Need?
No Help
- Very small / lightweight moves
- Single person moving a few items
- Family & friends are helping out
Driver Only
- Suitable for smaller moves
- You only have 1 or 2 heavier items
- Single items or small deliveries
Driver + 1 Helper
- Ideal for 1-2 bedroom properties
- Some heavy items (eg wardrobes, appliances)
- When time is a consideration
Driver + 2 Helpers
- Best for 3+ bedroom homes
- Lots of heavy furniture / bulky items
- Fastest & most efficient option
How Many Hours Should I Book?
Your final price is based on how long the job takes. Use this simple formula to estimate the time required to complete your job:
Loading Time
- Up to 1 hour – studio or one bedroom flats
- 1 to 2 hours – typical two bedroom moves
- 2 hours or more – larger homes or complex jobs
Add 30-60 minutes for stairs or long carries
Travel Time
Use Google Maps to check one-way travel time and adjust for the time of day you are moving.
Factor in rush hour and roadworks
Unloading Time
Allow similar time to loading and consider whether you will have the same help at the destination.
Plan extra time if access is tighter
Example Calculation
Moving a two-bedroom flat 15 miles away might look like:
Loading time: 2 hours + Travel time: 30 minutes + Unloading time: 2 hours + 30 minute contingency
Total: Approximately 5 hours
Need more help?
Get more information on the different van sizes available by visiting our Moving Van Size Guide. Or why not try our handy Van Size Calculator for an accurate recommendation for your move.
Alternatively, contact our friendly support team who are available to answer any questions you may have.
Important Considerations
- Property Access
- Please remember to include details on any flights of stairs at either the pickup or drop-off location as these incur additional costs.
- Multiple Trips
- Quotes are calculated based on the journey distance between your pick-up and drop-off locations, accounting for fuel costs in a single efficient trip. You can book additional stops enroute to your final destination, but if you think you will need more than one journey, please contact us to discuss your needs.
- Overtime
- We recognize that moving plans can be unpredictable, which is why your quote includes a clear breakdown of potential overtime charges if your move extends beyond the allocated timeframe. Any additional time required will be settled directly with your driver on the day.
If in doubt booking a slightly larger van or adding extra time is always a wise precaution.
Many customers are surprised by how quickly their belongings accumulate over time. We'd rather you had space to spare than stress on the day.
