For a local move in 2026, a full-service removal company averages about £330 for a one-bed, £543 for a two-bed and £792 for a three-bed home, including VAT. That is according to the Home Owners Alliance removal cost guide, which uses Reallymoving data from August 2026. For small moves in Yorkshire, a man and van is usually cheaper. CL Clearances charges £45–£55 an hour, with a two-hour minimum, or a fixed price for the job.
This guide puts the two side by side and explains what moves the price. It also says honestly where each one is the right choice.
How much does a removal company cost in the UK?
The Home Owners Alliance figures are averages for a move of under 25km, with the removal company loading, transporting and unloading:
| Property size | Average local removal cost (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £330 |
| 2 bedroom | £543 |
| 3 bedroom | £792 |
| 4 bedroom | £1,169 |
| 5 bedroom | £1,590 |
For a move of 100 miles or more, the same guide gives about £900–£1,200 for a one or two-bed, £1,600 for a three-bed, and £2,200 for four bedrooms or more. Packing is extra. It suggests about £400–£500 to have a three-bedroom house packed, and about £200 more for unpacking.
These are national averages. A quote for your own move depends on how much you have and how far it is going.
How much does a man and van cost in Yorkshire?
These are CL Clearances’ own 2026 prices, as published on our man and van page, for moves starting within about 15 miles of Howden:
| Job | Typical time | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| One person and the van | Two-hour minimum | £45–£55 per hour |
| Two people and the van | Two-hour minimum | £70–£85 per hour |
| Single item, local (up to 15 miles) | 1–1.5 hours | £60–£90 |
| Studio or one-bed flat, local | 2–4 hours | £120–£220 |
| Two-bed house, local | 4–6 hours, one or two loads | £240–£380 |
| Longer distance (e.g. Hull to Leeds) | Fixed price | From £180 + £1.20 per mile beyond 20 |
| Marketplace or eBay collection | Per item, by distance | From £45 |
Further from Howden, the price is fixed and includes the travel:
- Man and van in York: one-bed flat £160–£260, two-bed house £280–£420, student room £95–£140
- Man and van in Hull: one-bed flat £150–£240, two-bed house £260–£400, single item £65–£90
- Man and van in Doncaster: one-bed flat £140–£230, two-bed house £250–£390, single item £60–£85
On those town pages, a second person for heavy furniture on upper floors is £25 an hour on top. Parking suspensions or York ResPark dispensations are charged at the council’s fee.
Man and van or removal company: which is right for you?
They do different jobs, and the honest answer depends on the size of the move.
A man and van suits:
- studio, one-bed and most two-bed moves
- student rooms and part moves, where you take the boxes and we take the beds, sofa and white goods
- single items and Marketplace collections
- storage runs, and moves with a completion date that might change
A removal company suits:
- three, four and five-bedroom family homes
- moves where you want the whole house packed for you
- long-distance moves of a full house in one trip
CL Clearances works from a 3.5-tonne Luton van with a tail lift. It takes about a one-bedroom flat in a single load, and a two-bedroom home in one or two loads. A crewed removal company with a larger lorry will normally move a family home in one go, more quickly than a single van doing several runs. If your house is that size, a removal company is the better choice, and we will tell you so.
What makes a removal quote go up?
The same things apply to both kinds of mover:
- Volume. How much has to go is the biggest factor, more than the number of bedrooms.
- Distance. Local moves are often charged by the hour, and longer ones at a fixed price that includes fuel and time.
- Access. Stairs without a lift, long carries to the van, narrow terraces and permit-only streets all add time.
- Crew size. Heavy furniture on upper floors needs a second person.
- Extras. Packing, packing materials, dismantling and reassembly, and storage between completion dates.
- Timing. Spring and summer are the busiest months, and Saturday mornings book up first. A weekday move gives you more choice of dates.
How can you keep removal costs down?
- Declutter before you move, not after. Every item you get rid of first is one you do not pay to move. A man and van that is also a licensed waste carrier can take the unwanted sofa away on the same trip, which a removal firm cannot do. See rubbish removal.
- Pack yourself. It can save several hundred pounds on a family home. Our guide to free moving boxes in Yorkshire shows where to find boxes without buying them.
- Get fixed written quotes. Compare like for like, with the same inventory, dates and extras.
- Be ready on the day. With hourly pricing, time spent taping boxes while the van waits is time you pay for.
- Ask what is included. Blankets, straps, a trolley, insurance, and parking or permit fees.
The moving checklist runs from eight weeks out to handing over the keys.
What should a removal quote include?
Whoever you book, the quote should state:
- the price, and whether it is hourly or fixed
- the date and arrival window
- both addresses and any access notes
- what is included: loading, unloading, dismantling and packing materials
- goods-in-transit and public liability insurance
CL Clearances carries goods-in-transit and public liability insurance. Charlotte can send the certificate before you book.
Getting a price for your move
CL Clearances is owner-run from Howden and has been trading since 2016. Charlotte Leighton quotes, drives and lifts on every job, with no agency crews, and the price is agreed in writing before the day. We are also an upper-tier waste carrier (CBDU291452), so anything you are not taking can leave on the same van with a Waste Transfer Note.
Send the from, the to and a rough list or a few photos by WhatsApp to 07783 430775, or email hello@cl-clearances.co.uk. For a larger family home, we are happy to tell you if a removal company is the better fit.
