Moving house can become expensive surprisingly quickly. Once you start adding up removal quotes, labour, mileage and extra charges, it is understandable why some people consider doing the move themselves.
For smaller moves, hiring a removal van can be a much more affordable option. You get the space you need to transport furniture and boxes, but you remain in control of when and how everything gets moved.
At Hire2You, we offer a range of vans suitable for everything from smaller furniture collections to substantial house moves, with vehicles available from £49 per day.
You can explore our van hire options before deciding what is right for your move.
What is a removal van?
A removal van is simply a van with enough load space to transport furniture, boxes and other household belongings during a move.
There is no single vehicle that is right for every house move. A person moving from a small flat might only need a short wheelbase van, whereas somebody moving a family home could need a much larger Luton.
This is where choosing the right vehicle becomes important.
Hire2You offers several sizes, including Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro SWB vans, Citroën Relay LWB vans and Renault Master Luton box vans.
Is hiring a van cheaper than a removal company?
It can be, particularly if you are comfortable doing the loading and driving yourself.
A removal company provides more than just the vehicle. You are generally paying for labour as well as transport, which is useful if you want somebody else to handle the physical work.
Hiring a van takes that part out of the equation.
You load your own furniture, drive it to the new property and unload it yourself. For a straightforward local move, this can significantly reduce the overall cost.
It is also useful when you only have a relatively small amount to move and do not need a full removal team.
Which van should you use for moving house?
The size of your move should determine the vehicle.
SWB van
Our Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro vans start from £49 per day.
These are suitable for smaller moves, furniture collections, boxes and situations where you do not have a huge amount to transport.
They are also easier to manoeuvre than a much larger vehicle, which can be useful around residential streets.
LWB van
Our Citroën Relay LWB vans start from £69 per day.
The additional load length makes them a better option when you have more furniture, larger items or a bigger collection of boxes.
For some smaller house moves, an LWB can provide a useful balance between capacity and ease of driving.
Luton van
For larger moves, our Renault Master Luton vans start from £89 per day.
The large box body provides substantially more usable space, particularly when belongings can be stacked vertically.
This makes a Luton a popular choice for moving furniture, appliances, mattresses and large quantities of boxes.
You can view the full Hire2You fleet to compare your options.
When does a removal van make more sense?
Hiring a van is particularly attractive when your move is relatively straightforward.
For example, perhaps you are moving from one flat to another locally. You have already packed everything and have friends or family willing to help with the lifting.
In that situation, paying for a full removal service may not make much sense.
A suitable van allows you to take care of the transport yourself.
It can also work well if you are moving in stages rather than completing everything on one day.
Don’t automatically choose the cheapest van
There is a temptation to look at the £49 SWB price and immediately choose the smallest vehicle.
That can be a mistake.
If you hire a van that is too small, you may end up making several journeys. That means additional fuel, more time on the road and potentially needing the vehicle for longer.
A larger van costs more per day, but if it gets the whole job done in one trip, it could actually be the cheaper option overall.
For example, the difference between our SWB and Luton starting prices is £40 per day. If the Luton saves you multiple journeys, that additional hire cost can easily make sense.
What should you check before hiring?
Before booking your removal van, make a rough inventory of what you need to transport.
Start with the largest items:
- Sofas
- Beds and mattresses
- Wardrobes
- Tables
- Fridges and freezers
- Washing machines
- Large boxes
Then consider how many smaller boxes and belongings you have.
It is also worth measuring particularly awkward pieces of furniture. Knowing the dimensions beforehand makes choosing between an SWB, LWB and Luton much easier.
Moving house across Kent
Hire2You is based in Medway and provides vehicle hire across Kent.
Customers use our vans for moves around Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Ashford, Canterbury, Medway and surrounding areas.
You do not necessarily need to hire from a company located directly in the town you are moving from. If the right vehicle and price are available, travelling a short distance to collect it can still make financial sense.
A removal van gives you more control
There is another benefit to hiring your own van that does not always get mentioned: flexibility.
You are not working around a removal company’s schedule. You can load when you are ready, leave when you need to and make additional trips if necessary.
That can be particularly useful when your moving dates are uncertain or you are moving gradually.
Of course, it also means you are responsible for the driving, loading and unloading, so it is worth being realistic about how much work you are prepared to do yourself.
Is self-drive removal van hire right for you?
If you have a relatively straightforward move and are happy to do the physical work yourself, removal van hire can be a very cost-effective alternative to booking a removal company.
The main thing is choosing the correct vehicle.
For a smaller move, an SWB could be enough. For more furniture, an LWB gives you extra capacity. For a substantial move, the Renault Master Luton provides the space to transport a much larger load.
At Hire2You, our vehicles start from £49 per day, giving you several options depending on the size of your move.
If you are looking for removal van hire in Kent, get in touch with Hire2You and we can help you choose a vehicle that fits the job.