Guide
How much does a man with a van cost in Cork?
Updated
The short answer
The price of a man with a van in Cork depends mostly on how much is moving and how far, then on stairs, parking and the day you pick. Most jobs are priced either by the hour or as a fixed price for the job. Our current ranges are on the prices page, and you get a fixed price for your own job before the day.
Hourly or fixed price?
Hourly pricing is fairest when the job is open-ended: several drops, a storage run, or a move where you're not sure how much there is. A fixed price is better when you know what's going and where, because the number can't creep up on the day.
When you compare quotes, compare the total for your job, not the headline rate. A low hourly rate with a long minimum and travel time on top can cost more than a fixed price.
What pushes the price up
Most of the difference between two jobs comes down to a few things:
- Volume: one van load or two is the biggest single factor
- Distance: across the city is very different to Cork to Tralee
- Stairs with no lift, at either end
- Long carries from the door to where the van can park
- Furniture that needs taking apart and rebuilding
- Busy days: the end of the month and September weekends
How to keep it down
Be packed and ready when the van arrives, with boxes taped and everything in one or two rooms. Send an honest list or a few photos when you ask for a price, so the quote is right first time. And if your date is flexible, say so: a midweek move is often easier to fit in.
Questions worth asking any man with a van
Before you book anyone, it's fair to ask:
- Is the price fixed, or by the hour? If hourly, when does the clock start?
- Is travel to the first address included?
- Are stairs, waiting time and taking beds apart included?
- Who will actually turn up on the day?
- Do you hold goods-in-transit and public liability cover?
Questions
Is a man with a van cheaper than a removals company?
For a flat, a student move or a few items, usually yes, because there's one van and a smaller crew. For a full family house, a removals company with a lorry and a team is often the better fit.
Do I pay a deposit?
Ask when you book. Whatever the arrangement, it should be agreed in writing before the day.