A sofa that won't fit in the car, a bed from a marketplace seller two counties away, a student move at the end of term: a man with a van is the answer to a lot of awkward jobs that are too big for a car and too small for a full removals firm. It's also a job where vague details lead to vague quotes, so a few minutes of preparation up front saves a lot of back and forth.
Man with a van or full removals?
The two overlap, but they're not the same service. A man with a van usually suits smaller jobs: a handful of items, a single room, a studio or one-bed move, a delivery or a collection. A full removals job is more of a whole-house operation, with a bigger vehicle, a team and often packing. If you're not sure which you need, describe what you've got and let the quotes tell you. A provider who thinks your job needs more than a van will usually say so.
If you're planning a whole-house move, our moving house checklist covers the timeline and who to book at each stage.
What to tell them when you post the job
The more precise you are, the more accurate the price you'll get back. Include:
- Where from and where to. Both addresses, or at least the towns, so the provider can judge the distance.
- What's being moved. A short list is enough: "one two-seater sofa, a double mattress and ten boxes". For large items, give rough measurements.
- Access at both ends. Which floor, whether there's a lift, a narrow stairwell or a tight hallway, and whether the van can park close to the door.
- Whether you need help lifting. Some providers drive and expect you to load with them. Others bring a second person. Say which you want.
- Your date and timing. A specific day and time window, or "flexible", which can sometimes get you a better price.
Photos of the larger items and of any awkward access help a lot. They let the provider quote for the job as it really is, rather than adjusting the price once they arrive.
What to ask before you book
- Is the price for the whole job, or an hourly rate? If it's hourly, does the clock start from the first pickup or from when they leave their base?
- How many people are coming, and will they help carry, or is it driver only?
- What size is the van, and will it fit everything in one trip?
- Is there anything that would change the price on the day, such as extra stops, waiting time or a lot more stuff than described?
- Do they carry insurance for the goods they're moving? It's worth asking, especially for anything valuable or fragile.
- Can they help with disassembly and reassembly of furniture, or should you do that beforehand?
Get the answers in writing, which in the Service Connect app means in the chat thread, so there's a record of what was agreed if anything is unclear later.
Getting ready on the day
A few small things make the job faster, and on an hourly rate, cheaper:
- Have everything boxed, bagged and ready by the door before the van arrives.
- Take apart anything that needs it, and keep screws and fittings in a labelled bag.
- Clear a path through the house and, if you can, make sure there's somewhere for the van to stop near the entrance.
- Check access at the other end: keys, a lift booking if it's an apartment block, someone to let you in.
Booking a man with a van through Service Connect
Moving & Delivery on Service Connect covers man with a van jobs, removals and one-off collections. Posting a job on Service Connect is free. Your card is only charged once a provider accepts, and Stripe holds the payment until the job is marked done. Providers who cover your area send offers in chat with their price and conditions, and you can accept, counter or decline. You'll see the full total before you confirm anything.
The buyer protection fee is €0.90 plus 5% of the first €500 of the job price and 3% above that, with a minimum of €1. On a €100 job, that works out at €5.90. If you cancel before the work starts, you get a full refund, fee included. Providers don't pay a sign-up fee, subscription or commission, so the price they quote is what they receive.
Service Connect doesn't inspect providers' insurance or documents, so if it matters for your move, ask directly in chat. Reviews on a provider's profile only come from people who actually completed a booking with them, which gives you a better idea of how a van job really went than a star rating alone.
Ready to book? Browse movers in your county, check frequently asked questions, or get the Service Connect app to post your job.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a man with a van cost in Ireland?
It depends on the distance, the amount you're moving, the access at both ends and whether you need help lifting, so we don't quote a typical price. The most reliable way is to post the job with a clear list and photos, then compare the offers you get back. Ask whether each price is for the whole job or hourly.
Does a man with a van help carry items?
Not always. Some providers drive and expect you to help load, others bring a second person. Say what you need when you post the job, and confirm it in chat before you book.
Do I need to be there when they collect or deliver?
Usually someone needs to be at the pickup to hand items over, and someone at the drop-off to let the provider in and show them where things go. If that won't be you, agree the arrangements with the provider in advance.
How does payment work for a van job on Service Connect?
Posting a job is free. Your card is only charged when the provider accepts your agreed offer, and Stripe holds the payment until the job is marked done. If you cancel before the work starts, you get a full refund including the buyer protection fee.