9 Ways To Compare The Man And Van Removal Companies In London.
Moving in London requires careful planning. Maybe you found the perfect property, did some research and decided you need a ‘man and van’ service rather than a full size removal. Smart move - it's usually far more convenient and cost effective… but, how to compare the man and van moving services on offer in London?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through 7 essential steps to compare the man and van companies in London to find the best for your needs!
1 - Decide What Service You Need
Before you compare the man and van companies available, you should have a clear idea of what you need to move. When you compare the man and van services you'll find different levels of help - some just offer a van and driver (like a taxi van) but won't lift and carry. Some offer the driver helping so you do the moving with them. Others will provide a full team, so you can take care of other things on moving day without having to help loading and unloading the van. This will help you compare the man and van companies to narrow down your options, and find a service that aligns perfectly with your needs - whether it's a small flat move or a large office relocation - and most importantly, get accurate quotes by comparing the man and van services on a like-for-like basis.
2 - Compare The Man And Van Companies
Comparing man and van services for your London move should be as easy using your prefered online search engine using generic phrases like ‘best man with van in london’ or ‘man with van removal companies’. However it’s a confusing array of companies all offering a similar service, with each one seemingly promising to be the cheapest. So first, also try searching for man and van removal services in London that specialise in the type of move you require, be it residential, commercial, student-related or even just a large-item delivery.
Some sites offer to compare the man and van companies for you and find the cheapest. However while cheapest price promises might seem attractive there are many pitfalls, and even scams and tricks that some man and van companies use to get more money later - read this short list of insider tips to avoid them before you compare the man and van quotes.
Compare the online presence of potential man and van removal services. A modern professional website, active social media profiles, and positive customer reviews are indicators of a reliable and established company. Pay attention to their branding, as reputable moving services often invest in branded vehicles and uniforms, showcasing their commitment to quality and professionalism. Check whether the website is simply a booking agent which outsources all it's work to subcontractors - if so, you won't have any recourse in the event of problems during your move.
Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have recently used a man and van removal service in London. Compare the man and van stories they tell - personal referrals often provide valuable insights and firsthand experiences that can guide your decision-making process. Additionally, explore and compare the man and van online reviews and testimonials to gather a broader range of opinions about the services you're considering.
3 - Compare ALL The Man And Van Reviews
Always compare the man and van reviews - especially bad ones - from various sources. If you see a consistent pattern to the issues faced by customers, you'll get an idea what to avoid. Common complaints in negative man and van company reviews include…
- 1) Lateness - customers have reported removal drivers being up to 14 hours late for a move!
- 2) No shows - in worst cases, some reviews say their man and van team simply don't show up.
- 3) Rude or unhelpful drivers - customers say the man and van teams were bad tempered, resentful or rude.
- 4) Refusal to complete the work - reviews show that some man with van teams arrive but refuse to do the work for all kinds of odd reasons.
- 5) Bad communication - many complain that they couldn't contact the removal driver or even the removal company when there was a problem.
- 6) Extra fees or hidden charges - a common complaint is removal teams demanding extra money for stairs, additional items that were not listed, or even having to walk from their van to the property!
4 - Compare The Man And Van Quotes
Request and compare the man and van quotes from multiple removal companies - ideally those with instant online quote facilities which don't force you to input personal details to avoid spam and data selling.
Compare transparency in pricing, ensuring that the quotes include all costs and potential additional charges. It's very common for some companies or outsourced gig-drivers to add extra charges and fees halfway through a move, leaving you no option except to pay them… while price comparison or classified listings websites may look cheap initially, beware of extra charges for things like stairs, extra items, heavier boxes, or walking distance to the van which make it harder to compare the man and van prices you are first offered.
Ensure that all agreed-upon terms, services, costs, and any specific arrangements are clearly outlined and understood. Check customer support protocols, cancellation policies, and how they make extra charges. Compare the man and van prices, services, and terms and conditions of each quote to choose the one that offers the best value for money and meets your requirements.
5 - Know Your Man And Van
Many online man and van platforms look like removal companies, but are actually compare sites acting as booking agents for subcontracted independant gig-workers who have access to a van. They often require full payment in advance, and then outsource the job to man and van teams who bid for the work, selling it to them for a cheaper price than you paid on the platform - therefore allowing them to keep the difference as profit. This means you won't know who's moving you until the day of your move, and have minimal protection in the case of problems during the removal.
While his may be exactly what you need in some situations (for example, moving something that's difficult to be damaged, or you are flexible about pickup times) they are often focussed more on cheap pricing rather than reliability or service quality which might not be ideal for a home, flat or office removal.
The safest option is to choose a company who have their own teams and branded vehicles, robust customer support systems, insurances and protections, full booking communications with on-going updates as your moving day approaches, and live tracking of known, vetted and trained drivers on the day of your removal.
6 - Compare The Man And Van Insurances
Check that the man with van you choose is properly licensed and insured. This step is crucial for the safety and protection of you and your belongings during transit. A reputable moving service will have comprehensive insurance coverage, giving you peace of mind throughout the moving process.
Many platforms who rely on outsourcing to subcontractors have T&C's which absolve them from any blame in the event of something going wrong, simply referring you back to the subcontractor who did the work and leaving you without any help or assistance.
Check for these insurances when you compare the man and van companies:
a) Fully Comprehensive Vehicle Cover - this insures the vehicle for accidents. While it doesn't actually protect you or your goods, it's a legal requirement for any vehicle. There is a cheaper version called 3rd Party Fire & Theft, beware of man and van operators who only use this insurance.
b) Hire And Reward - This is important! Again, a legal requirement for anyone earning money from commercial use of their vehicle - however many man and van operators DO NOT have this insurance, essentially because it's more like a license/tax than traditional insurance. But it allows you to travel in the vehicle with your goods and indicates professional movers.
c) Goods In Transit - covers your goods while traveling in the vehicle during the move. Various levels of cover are available, standard cover ranges between £1,000 to £10,000 per removal load.
d) Public Liability - protects you, your property, and the wider public in the case of accidents or incidents, for example dropping a box on someone's foot, scraping a wall or floor etc.
e) Breakdown - while not legally required, you want assurance that if the van breaks down during your move that professional help would be coming from the RAC, AA or other reuputable recovery service.
f) Miscellaneous other insurances such as employers insurance, relevant operators licences, background check services or trade body affiliations.
7 - Compare The Man And Van Terms For Amendments Or Cancellations
As you compare the man and van services, check for negative reviews of companies who withhold payments, refuse refunds, or take additional charges for amendments and cancellations. Many online man and van booking agents take payment in full before the removal and have strict non-refund clauses which make it very difficult, expensive or inconvenient to change, amend or cancel your booking.
Look for flexible companies with fair and reasonable cancellation policies who won't penalise you for making changes to your booking.
- 8 - Book In Advance Where Possible.
- Once you have compared and chosen the best man and van service for your London move, you should book it as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time. Find a man and van mover who only requires a small deposit, or ideally one who only takes payment after the job is completed.
- You can usually book online or by phone, and you should receive a confirmation email with the details of your booking. You might have to contact the man and van service a few days before your move to confirm the details and make any changes if necessary although London's leading man and van removal companies have tech-systems which automate this.
The best man and van movers will offer automated emails, SMS reminders and updates leading up to your move and even offer live tracking and real-time updates throughout the whole removal.
However if you can't book in advance or need a same-day large item delivery or removal, a modern tech-powered mover like Relōku offers on-demand real-time booking which allows you to get a man with van service within minutes, anywhere in London.
9 - Prepare your items: To make your move smoother and faster, you should prepare your items before the man and van removal team arrives. Try to avoid the last minute rush which could incur extra costs for waiting time…
Pack your items securely in boxes or bags and label them clearly, being careful not to overload boxes with items like books or magazines. You should also disassemble any large or bulky furniture - although more professional man and van teams will help with this - and wrap any fragile or valuable items in bubble wrap or blankets.
Make sure your items will fit in the van and through the doors and stairs of your new home. Compare the van sizes of your man with van provider to ensure everything will fit in one load.
Selecting the best man and van removal service in London requires thorough research and consideration of various factors to compare the man and van companies and make the right decision, but hopefully our guide helps that process. Each step aims to simplify your decision-making process and ensure a successful and stress-free move, regardless of the type or size of your relocation. By following these essential steps to compare the man and van removal companies in London, you can confidently choose reliable movers that meets your needs, ensuring a smooth and stress-free moving experience our vibrant city!
