How some removal companies turn a straightforward job into a more expensive one. Written from the perspective of someone who’s been doing this for over ten years.
They offer a full packing service for an extra £450 or more. In reality you can buy decent boxes and bubble wrap and do it yourself for a fraction of the cost. They’re counting on you being stressed and short of time so you’ll just say yes.
If the van can’t park within 20 metres of your front door, some firms add a £50–£150 “access surcharge”. In a city like Plymouth, where parking is a daily struggle, this is pure opportunism. You’re being charged extra simply for living somewhere with normal urban parking.
£20–£40 per item just to take the legs off a table or dismantle a bed. Most experienced movers do this as a normal part of the job. Charging separately for it is a classic way of padding the bill.
Book midweek and the price looks reasonable. Mention a Friday or bank holiday and some companies suddenly want 15–25% more. They’re exploiting the fact that most people prefer to move at the end of the week.
National firms often quote £800–£2000 for a standard house move. A large part of that price is the brand name. The actual crew who turn up may be sub-contracted and not necessarily more experienced than a good local operator.
You start discussing hourly rates, then mention it’s a flat or house move… and suddenly you’re moved onto a higher fixed price. They use the type of property as an excuse to abandon the cheaper hourly model the moment they sense a bigger job.
Newer companies with shiny vans and expensive Google, Facebook and Instagram campaigns often charge £400–£500 for a simple one-bedroom flat move. A good chunk of that price is covering their marketing budget and the finance on the new fleet.
Go just a few miles past their self-declared “local” area and watch the extras appear. The original quote was deliberately tight so that any small extension of distance triggers additional fees.
Some companies now use ever-changing pricing algorithms that adjust the rate according to postcode, day of the week, demand, or even how much they think a particular customer will pay. The price you see today may not be the price you get tomorrow.
We charge a clear hourly rate with no weekend premium and no hidden access fees for normal local jobs. You can check our current pricing here, read the Moving Cheat Sheet to keep the job efficient, or go back to the Man and Van Plymouth homepage.
You may also find our Frequently Asked Questions useful.