removals and logistics - which option
Hire a van and move yourself, or pay a removal company?
Moving yourself looks much cheaper on paper and sometimes genuinely is. What the paper comparison leaves out is fuel, insurance, the number of trips, the licence you need for the van you want, and the fact that you will be lifting furniture at both ends of a very long day.
Why trust this page: GetBrent is a directory. We take no commission and we provide neither service, so we have no stake in which one you pick - which is the only reason a comparison like this is worth reading.
Hiring a van and moving yourself
You hire a van for a day or a weekend, load it, drive it, and unload it.
Best for
- +Small moves and student moves
- +Short distances where several trips are realistic
- +People with willing helpers and a bit of experience
- +Moves with flexible timing, so a slow day does not matter
- +Anyone already comfortable driving a large van
Watch out for
- -Licence category. Anything over 3.5 tonnes needs entitlement most drivers do not have
- -Insurance, excess and fuel policy are where the cheap headline rate gets less cheap
- -Damage to the van is your problem, and so is damage to your own belongings
- -Two trips means twice the driving, twice the loading, and a day that runs into the night
- -Nobody insures your furniture. If it breaks, it breaks
A removal company
A crew, a properly sized vehicle, insurance and materials, quoted as a job rather than a day rate.
Best for
- +Anything more than a small flat
- +Long distances, where a second trip is not an option
- +Moves on a fixed completion date
- +Anyone without the people, the time or the inclination to carry furniture
Watch out for
- -Costs more than a van, though usually less than people assume once fuel and a second trip are counted
- -Peak dates need booking well ahead
- -Get the quote in writing and confirm what the insurance covers
The short answer
Count the trips honestly. One van load, short distance, helpers available - move yourself. Two or more loads, a long drive, or a completion deadline - the removal company is usually the better value once the whole day is priced rather than just the van.
What to ask before you book
- •Check what size van your licence actually lets you drive.
- •Check the insurance excess on the hire, and whether it can be reduced.
- •Measure your largest item and the van door before booking anything.
- •Work out how many trips it really is, then price the fuel and the hours.
- •Confirm the fuel policy and the mileage allowance.
Find companies near you
Whichever way you go, compare two or three local firms. GetBrent charges no booking fee.
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