If you ever have to move house, one of the first things you will think about is the cost of the move. In fact, price is one of the primary factors in a decision to choose a man with van removal company. However, not all removal companies price their jobs the same way, with some adding hidden charges or generally not being clear with how the company has got to their final number. Luckily, those types of companies are not that common, and with an understanding of what to expect, you can make sure you pick a reliable moving company. So, how should a removal company put their prices together?
The Hourly Based Service
One of the most popular ways for a man with a van company to put their prices together is on an hourly basis. And if done correctly, this type of pricing is one of the best as you only pay for what you need. For example, if you are moving from Brunswick Park to Totteridge, you have about an hour of travelling time. Then 1 hour to load the van and 1 hour to unload. That’s 3 hours in total, and you only pay for 3 hours. The hourly based service from a movers company should come with a clearly outlined hourly rate. Typically rates are as follows:
- £65 per hour for a team of 3
- £55 per hour for a team of 2
- £45 per hour for a single person
Those rates are just averages, with the rate differing depending on the size of the van, though you should expect to pay around that per hour. That’s the beauty of an hourly based service. You know how much it is per hour, and can make a rough estimate of what you will be paying at the end. However, the hourly-based service is not the only way a removal company can outline their prices.
The Flat Charge Service
Some companies do prefer to work based on offering a flat charge, and though upfront that can seem like a better deal, it’s not always the case. Let’s say you are moving fro Freezywater to Childs Hill, NW2. That’s around a 30-minute drive, so using the above hourly rate for two men for 3 hours you should expect to pay around £165. A company offering a flat charge service can do this maths and know the job will take about 3 hours, though will round the price to a flat £200. Ok, you won’t pay any more if the work takes longer than their estimated time. However, they, as professionals have more experience calculating such things so, are likely to have covered themselves. Note neither the hourly nor the flat charge service usually includes additional expenses such as packing materials, moving insurance or parking fees.
Exceptions To The Rule
For smaller moves, an hourly based service will always be more affordable. However, there is an instance when you should seek out a flat charge. If you are moving a long distance, from London to Birmingham, for example, you definitely want a fixed quote. The drive between the two cities is approximately two and a half hours if there are no traffic jams or road works. With an hourly based service, any delays are going to cost you.
The other exception is if you have a lot to move and need a comprehensive service, including:
- Packing Materials
- Packing
- Dismantling And Assembling
- Moving
Moving the contents of a flat from Putney to Tooting is normal to do on an hourly-based service, but if moving the contents of a five-bedroom house then no company can give you a quote over the phone, and if they do, you can bet that is not the actual price you will end up paying. Instead, insist on a viewing of your property and then get an itemised quote, detailing each component of the move. A breakdown of a flat price will ensure you know what you are paying.
Knowing How A Man and Van Removal Company Charges Will Save You Money
There are too many people overpaying for man and van London moving services, because how the pricing gets calculated never gets explained. A removal company can offer to move your home for £300, but what does that mean? How many hours? How many people? How big is the van? Make sure to always get a breakdown of the quote for your house move, as that’s the only way to ensure you are getting treated fairly. Luckily for you, Get Man and Van does that by default.
Local Services:
About the Author:
Kim Jacobs
Kim Jacobs is a removals coordinator with over 11 years of experience as part of the Get man and van team and other firms in the home and office relocation industry in London. Before joining our company, Kim has worked in various logistical and transportation companies and institutions such as Transport for London, The Removals Ombudsman, and has coordinated moving projects with some of the biggest suppliers of various goods such as IKEA, HomeBase, Amazon, Sainsbury's and others. While working as a chief removals coordinator, Kim also enjoys sharing her expertise with others through writing in our blog.
Next: Can I hire men (helpers) just to load a van? »
