Short answer
Moving one piece of furniture across London costs anywhere from about £20 to £140 in 2026, depending on who you use. A man and van is typically around £100 because of two-hour minimums, while single-item services like renwd start at £19.
Why does moving one item cost so much?
Most man-and-van operators charge by the hour with a two-hour minimum. A single short job still means driving out, finding parking, carrying, and driving on to the next job. Done on its own, that takes about 75 minutes of van time. The operator has to cover that, so a chest of drawers costs the same to move as half a flat.
The quotes people post online show it. In our research we found £60 to move a chest of drawers one mile, £115 for a bed frame 15 minutes away and £140 for a sofa from Reading.
Is the furniture worth less than the delivery?
Often, yes. We sampled 105 live London listings on Facebook Marketplace in September 2026. About 6 in 10 genuine sofa listings were priced at or below what a man and van charges to move them, and 24 of the 53 sofas were free. Buyers notice: a common comment is "for a £20 desk I'll just buy new from IKEA."
The options, compared
These are typical prices for one item inside London, gathered from provider pricing pages, Trustpilot, Reddit and Mumsnet in September and October 2026.
| Option | Typical cost | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| renwd | From £19 | Set collection days per area. Two-person crew for big pieces. |
| Uber XL | About £7 minimum; about £21 for a typical item trip | Passenger service: drivers can refuse furniture; no help lifting |
| AnyVan (local) | £27–£49 | Surcharges can be added after the quote |
| Shiply | £34–£88 plus booking fee | Bids drift; cheap bids can mean waiting days |
| Airtasker | £40–£120 (median about £90) | Insurance varies by tasker |
| Man and van | £100–£140 for a sofa; about £100 median | Usually a two-hour minimum |
| Self-drive van hire | £65–£109 a day | Deposit, licence, day rates, you do the lifting |
| Council bulky collection | £30–£62 | Disposal only; about two weeks' wait |
Sources: renwd research across Reddit, Mumsnet, Trustpilot, provider pricing pages and 105 live Facebook Marketplace listings (September 2026). Uber XL minimum from public fare estimators (October 2026).
Is there a cheaper way to move one item?
renwd was set up for exactly this. Trips start at £19 for one item, with no hourly minimum, and the price is fixed once you book. You see it in about 30 seconds on the quote page.
What is the cheapest way to move one item?
- Free: borrow a car from a friend, if the item fits and you can lift it.
- £10–£30: ask the seller to deliver. Many will for a small fee, especially if the item is free or cheap.
- From £19: renwd, for one piece of furniture across London, from desks to sofas.
- £27–£49: AnyVan local jobs, though watch for charges added after the quote.
- £100 or more: a man and van with a two-hour minimum. Worth it for several items at once, not for one.
Questions people ask
How much is a man and van for one item in London?
Around £100 is typical in 2026, because most operators charge a two-hour minimum. Real quotes we found ranged from £60 for a chest of drawers moved one mile to £140 for a sofa.
What is the cheapest way to move a sofa in London?
Asking the seller to deliver is usually cheapest. Otherwise renwd moves sofas with a two-person crew and a fixed price, and AnyVan or Shiply bids are often cheaper than a man and van. Watch for fees added after the quote.
Does renwd charge a flat fee?
No. renwd starts at £19 and your price depends on the distance, the item and any stairs. You see the exact price before you book and it doesn't change.