Guide
Man with a van or a removals company: which do you need?
Updated
The short answer
A man with a van suits flats, studios, smaller houses, student moves, single items and collections: one van, a fixed price, and it's usually done in a day. A full removals company, with a lorry, a crew and a packing service, is the better fit for a large family house, a long-distance move that has to go in one trip, or a move where you want everything packed for you.
When a man with a van makes sense
A man with a van is built for smaller, simpler moves. It's usually the right call for:
- A studio, 1-bed or 2-bed flat with normal furniture
- A smaller house where you've packed the boxes yourself
- Student moves into and out of college accommodation
- Single items, like a sofa, wardrobe or washing machine
- DoneDeal, Marketplace or eBay collections
- A few drops around town in one day
When to book a removals company instead
A removals firm with a lorry and a crew is worth the extra cost when:
- You're moving a 3-bed or bigger house with a lot of furniture
- Everything has to go in one trip over a long distance
- You want the whole house packed for you
- You have a piano, safe or other very heavy specialist items
- You need storage between moving out and moving in
How the costs compare
With a man with a van you pay for one van and the time it takes. Typical prices in Cork: €55–€75 per hour for a van and driver (2-hour minimum), €60–€100 for a single item across the city, €220–€380 for a studio or 1-bed flat and €350–€600 for a 2-bed flat. A removals company sends a bigger vehicle and more people, so it costs more, but for a big house it can be quicker overall.
If you're not sure which you need, describe the move and we'll tell you honestly. If it's too big for a van, we'll say so.
Questions
Is a man with a van the same as a removals company?
Not quite. A man with a van is a smaller service: one van and a fixed price, suited to flats, small houses and single items. A removals company sends a lorry and a crew, and often offers packing and storage.
Can a man with a van do a full house move?
A smaller house, yes, often in one or two loads. A large, fully furnished house is usually better with a removals company.