Short answer
Expect about £100 for one item in London in 2026, because most man-and-van firms charge a two-hour minimum. Real quotes range from £60 for a chest of drawers moved one mile to £140 for a sofa.
Real quotes people were given
- £60 to move a chest of drawers one mile
- £115 for a bed frame 15 minutes away
- £140 for a sofa from Reading
- A second person adds roughly £10–£20 an hour
Source: quotes posted on r/london, r/AskUK and Mumsnet, collected September 2026.
Why the two-hour minimum exists
A standalone job costs a van about 75 minutes once you add the drive there, parking, carrying and the drive away. A firm that takes one booking at a time has to charge for that time whether the job is a sofa or a bedside table.
When a man and van is the right choice
- You are moving several items, or a whole room.
- You need it done today.
When it isn't
For one piece that one person can carry, you are paying for time you don't use. renwd moves a single desk or chest of drawers from £19 instead, with no hourly minimum. See how pricing works.
Compare every option
| 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).
Questions people ask
Do man and van firms charge a minimum?
Most London firms charge a two-hour minimum, which is why a single item often costs around £100.
Is a man and van cheaper than AnyVan for one item?
Usually not. AnyVan local jobs are often £27–£49, though some customers report charges added after the quote.
Who moves a single small item in London cheaply?
renwd moves one item from £19, collecting from the seller and delivering to your door on your area's collection days.