Picking a man and van is one of those jobs that feels easy until it goes wrong. A friend of a cousin’s mate has a van, charges cash, sounds keen. Then he’s late, the price doubles, your wardrobe arrives with a scuff and there’s nothing you can do about it. Here’s how to avoid that, written by people who do this every day.
1. Check they’re actually a business
Anyone can put a van on Facebook and start quoting jobs. A real business has:
- A registered company or sole trader name
- A real business phone number
- Insurance (Goods in Transit and Public Liability)
- A web presence beyond a single Facebook post
- Reviews that go back further than two months
2. Ask for their waste carrier registration if there’s any clearance involved
If they’re going to take rubbish away – even a few items from a clearance – they legally need to be a registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency. The number is free to check on the Environment Agency website. If your rubbish gets fly-tipped, the fine can come back to you, not the person who dumped it. Always ask.
3. Watch out for the “no quote without a site visit” trick
A site visit is genuinely useful for big or complex jobs. But for a normal one-bed flat move, any experienced firm can give you a sensible quote on the phone or from a few photos. If a firm refuses to give you any guidance before turning up – and then quotes a much higher number in person while you’re under pressure – walk away.
4. Get the quote in writing
A text message counts. An email is better. “Approximately £200” is not a quote, it’s a hopeful estimate. A good firm tells you exactly what’s included, exactly what’s not, and what would change the price. Then they stick to it.
5. Find out who’s actually turning up
Some firms quote and book the job, then sub it out to whoever’s free that day. You wanted twenty years of experience; you got a kid in a hire van. Always ask: “Will it be you on the day?” If they hesitate, dig further.
6. Check the reviews – properly
Look for:
- Reviews going back at least a year
- Specific details (street names, types of jobs, the team member’s name)
- How the firm replies to less-than-perfect reviews. Defensive replies are a red flag; gracious, problem-solving replies tell you what they’ll do when something goes wrong on your job.
7. The cash-only red flag
Cash payment is fine, lots of legitimate small businesses still take cash. But cash-only with no invoice, no receipt, no business name on anything – that’s tax-dodging territory and it usually goes hand-in-hand with no insurance and no waste carrier registration. Plenty of decent firms take cash and give you a proper receipt.
8. Understand how the price changes on the day
Ask up front: “What would make this cost more than you’ve quoted?” A good firm has a clear answer – extra time over a stated limit, parking fines if access changes, extra porters if you’ve underestimated the volume. A dodgy firm will mumble. The mumble is the warning.
The summary
You don’t need to interrogate anyone. Just ask three questions:
- “Are you fully insured? Goods in Transit and Public Liability?”
- “Are you a registered waste carrier? (If clearance involved.) What’s the number?”
- “Can you put the quote in writing, and tell me what would change it?”
Anyone who answers all three properly is probably worth booking. Anyone who can’t isn’t.
If you’re in Weston-super-Mare or anywhere in North Somerset and you’d like a straight, fixed quote, give us a ring on 07796 271022.