Things to know
State your goods-in-transit insurance cover and its limit clearly on the quote, beyond a separate policy document. For a house move, this is often the deciding factor between two similarly-priced firms. A customer moving everything they own wants to see the cover number before they see anything else about how professional you look.
A pre-move survey is worth doing even for a "simple" job. Otherwise access problems only become visible on moving day: narrow stairwells, no parking directly outside, a sofa that won't clear a doorway. A note that the quote "assumes standard parking access; additional charges may apply for restricted access or excessive carry distance" protects you when the reality differs from what you saw on a walkthrough.
Packing service should be priced as a clearly optional line, not bundled into the base move. Some customers want everything boxed for them. Others have already done it themselves by the time you arrive. Keeping it separate means the quote works for both without needing to be rewritten, and the customer can see exactly what they're paying extra for.
High-value or fragile items, such as a piano, artwork, or an antique, are worth naming specifically in the quote notes instead of assuming they're covered under standard terms. Some items fall outside standard goods-in-transit cover or need specialist handling priced separately. It's far better to have that conversation while quoting than to discover it after something's already loaded onto the van.
Typical removals line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Man + van (Luton, 1 person) | per hour | £45–£75 |
| Two-person crew + Luton van | per hour | £70–£110 |
| 3-bed house move, local (full crew) | per move | £900–£1,600 |
| Packing service (3-bed) | per move | £300–£600 |
| Boxes + packing materials kit | per kit | £60–£150 |
| Piano / heavy item handling | per item | £150–£400 |
| Waiting time (key delays) | per hour | £40–£80 |
| Storage (container) | per week | £15–£35 |
Common removals jobs and how to price them
- Local house moves
- Fixed price from a survey (in person or video), with waiting time per hour after a stated allowance.
- Man-and-van jobs
- Hourly with a minimum (usually two hours) and travel time stated.
- Long-distance moves
- Fixed price including fuel, tolls and driver hours.
- Packing and storage
- Packing per room or move; storage per week with access charges.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- Goods vehicle operator licence — vehicles over 3.5 tonnes used for hire or reward need an operator’s licence from the Traffic Commissioner. Most man-and-van operators stay at 3.5t or under for this reason.
- Goods in transit and liability — not a legal requirement, but customers expect cover. State the per-item and total liability limits and any exclusions (e.g. items packed by the owner).
- Parking suspensions — councils can suspend parking bays for a fee with notice. Say who arranges it and include the cost if you do.
- Trade association codes — membership of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or a similar scheme comes with a code of practice and dispute route. Name it if you hold it.
Payment terms removalss commonly use
- Deposit to secure the date (often 10–25%), balance before or on unloading.
- Chain delays: waiting time charged per hour after an agreed allowance — put the rate on the quote.
- Cancellation: refund policy tied to notice given.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for removalss
VAT
Removals are standard-rated at 20% once you are VAT-registered. Many man-and-van operators stay under the £90,000 threshold.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Removals are not a construction operation, so CIS does not apply.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Van / vehicle size selected
- Crew size + hours
- Mileage / fuel surcharge
- Packing service as optional line
- Insurance terms in notes
Frequently asked questions
Include an allowance, such as an hour, for key collection delays, then charge an hourly rate. Put the rate on the quote. Chains collapsing on the day are common.
Yes. State the cover, the per-item and total limits, and exclusions such as owner-packed boxes or items of high value not declared. Liability disputes are the main source of complaints.
Agree it on the quote. If a council parking suspension is needed, it can take a week or more to arrange and there is a fee. Note who pays.
Only for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes used for hire or reward. Most man-and-van businesses use vans at or under 3.5t to avoid it.
Yes — state your goods-in-transit cover and any limits clearly. It's often the deciding factor between two similar quotes.
Add a note: "Quote assumes standard parking access. Additional charges may apply for restricted access, parking permits, or excessive carry distance." This protects you if the realities of the move differ from the survey.
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