Man with a Van
Man with a Van Catford – Catford Movers
At Catford Movers, our Man with a Van Catford service is designed for people who want the flexibility of a traditional man-and-van, with the standards of a professional, fully insured removals company. Whether you are moving a single item across town or a small flat across London, we provide a reliable, tidy and efficient team that knows Catford inside out.
What Our Man with a Van Service Includes
This service is ideal when you do not need a full-scale removal crew, but still want trained movers, a well-maintained vehicle and proper protection for your belongings. Our vans arrive with at least one trained mover (more if required), equipped with blankets, straps and basic tools for furniture disassembly and reassembly where needed.
Who Our Service Is For
- Homeowners moving smaller properties or doing partial moves
- Renters moving between rooms, studios or small flats
- Landlords clearing or setting up rental properties
- Businesses relocating small offices, stock or equipment
- Students moving to and from halls, house-shares or storage
If you are unsure whether you need a man with a van or a full removals crew, we will talk it through with you and recommend the most cost-effective option.
Local Catford Expertise
Based in Catford, we work across SE6 and surrounding areas every day. We understand local parking restrictions, bus lanes, school-run traffic and the pinch points on roads like Bromley Road and Catford Road. That local knowledge means more accurate arrival times, smarter route planning and less stress for you on the day.
We regularly help customers around Catford, Hither Green, Lewisham, Forest Hill and Sydenham, and we can also handle longer-distance moves from Catford to anywhere in the UK.
What We Can and Cannot Move
Items Typically Included
- Domestic furniture – beds, sofas, wardrobes, tables, chairs
- Boxes, bags and personal belongings
- Home appliances – washing machines, fridges, freezers (subject to access)
- Office furniture and IT equipment (properly packed)
- Student belongings and small storage unit contents
- Flat-pack furniture, disassembled or assembled where access allows
Items Normally Excluded
- Hazardous materials (paint thinners, gas bottles, fuel, chemicals)
- Unboxed loose items of glass or extremely fragile objects
- Pets and live animals
- Heavy industrial machinery or items requiring specialist lifting equipment
- Valuables such as large amounts of cash, jewellery or important documents (we recommend you carry these personally)
If you have something unusual or particularly heavy, let us know in advance – we will advise whether it is suitable for our man with a van service or whether a larger team and vehicle are required.
Our Step-by-Step Man with a Van Process
1. Enquiry & Quote
You can contact us by phone, email or online form. We will ask a few clear questions about your addresses, the size of your move, access (stairs, lifts, parking) and your preferred date. Based on this, we provide a straightforward, no-obligation quote, usually the same day.
2. Survey – Virtual or Onsite
For smaller man-and-van jobs, a quick virtual survey via photos or video call is often enough. For more complex moves, we may suggest an onsite visit in Catford or nearby. The aim is to avoid surprises on the day, choose the right-sized van and plan parking and access properly.
3. Packing & Preparation
You can pack your own belongings, or we can provide professional packing as an additional service. If you are packing yourself, we can supply quality boxes and tape in advance. On the day, we wrap furniture with removal blankets and use straps to secure items safely inside the van.
4. Loading & Transport
Our trained team loads your belongings methodically, starting with heavier items and then boxes. We take care to protect walls, doorways and floors as we go. Once loaded, we travel using the safest and most efficient route, with communication throughout so you know when to expect us.
5. Unloading & Placement
On arrival, we unload and place items into the rooms you specify, rather than leaving everything in the hallway. We can reassemble basic furniture where agreed and position larger pieces so you do not have to move them again later.
Transparent Pricing
Our man with a van pricing is clear and simple. We usually work on an hourly rate, with a minimum booking period that reflects travel time, vehicle and staff costs. For straightforward moves, we can often offer a fixed price once we know the details.
Your quote will set out:
- The number of movers included
- The size of van we will send
- What is and is not included (e.g. packing, materials, dismantling)
- Any additional charges such as congestion or parking, where applicable
We never add hidden extras on the day. If circumstances change (for example, additional items or a delayed key handover), we explain any cost implications clearly before proceeding.
Why Choose a Professional Man with a Van over DIY
Hiring a casual, unvetted driver or doing it yourself may look cheaper at first glance, but it carries risk. With Catford Movers you benefit from:
- Fully insured vehicles and cover for your belongings
- Trained movers who know how to lift safely and protect property
- Reliable arrival times and properly maintained vehicles
- Clear paperwork and proper invoicing for personal or business records
- Accountability – a local company with a reputation to protect
Attempting a move in a hired van without the right equipment or experience can lead to damage, injury or multiple trips. Our service is about doing it once, properly.
Insurance and Professional Standards
As a professional removals company, we take responsibility for the work we do and the items we handle.
- Goods in transit insurance – covers your belongings while they are being transported in our vehicles, subject to terms and packing standards.
- Public liability cover – in place for accidental damage to third-party property or injury caused by our work.
- Trained moving teams – our staff receive ongoing training in lifting techniques, packing, vehicle loading and customer care.
We are happy to provide proof of insurance on request and to explain how cover applies to your particular move.
Care, Protection and Sustainability
We treat your belongings as if they were our own. Furniture is wrapped with padded blankets, televisions and fragile items are carefully positioned in the van, and we use straps to prevent movement in transit. Where required, we use floor protection and corner guards to look after both your old and new properties.
We are also mindful of our environmental impact. We reuse strong packing materials where appropriate, encourage customers to return or recycle boxes, and plan routes to minimise unnecessary mileage.
Real-World Ways People Use Our Man with a Van Service
Moving House or Flat
Perfect for studio and one-bedroom properties, or when you are moving a selection of larger items and a few boxes. Many Catford tenants use us when moving between local rentals, or when stepping up from a room-share to their own place.
Office and Business Relocations
Small businesses often use our vans to move desks, chairs, filing and IT equipment between offices, storage units or co-working spaces. We can schedule work out of hours or at weekends to minimise disruption.
Urgent or Same-Day Moves
Life does not always run to plan. Where our schedule allows, we offer same-day or next-day man-and-van support for urgent clearances, last-minute tenancy changes or deliveries that cannot wait. The more detail you can provide, the easier it is for us to help quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a man with a van in Catford cost?
Pricing depends on the size of the van, the number of movers required, the length of the job and any additional services such as packing or dismantling. Most local moves are charged by the hour with a minimum booking period to cover travel and set-up time. Once we know your addresses, access details and approximate inventory, we will provide a clear estimate or fixed price. There are no hidden extras; any potential additional charges, such as congestion or parking fees, are discussed in advance.
Can you provide same-day or urgent man with a van bookings?
Yes, we can often accommodate same-day or next-day moves in Catford, depending on our schedule and the size of the job. It helps if you have a clear list of what needs moving, photos of key items and accurate address and access details when you call. We will be honest about what is realistic within the available time. For very urgent work, flexibility on timing and a slightly broader arrival window make it easier for us to fit you in.
Are my belongings insured during the move?
Yes. Our vehicles are covered by goods in transit insurance, which protects your belongings while they are being transported, subject to policy terms and conditions. We also hold public liability cover for peace of mind at both properties. We will explain how insurance applies to your move, including any limits or exclusions, for example on self-packed fragile items. For particularly high-value or specialist items, we may recommend additional cover or a different service configuration.
What is included in your man with a van service?
Our standard service includes the van, fuel, at least one professional mover, protective blankets, straps and basic tools for straightforward furniture dismantling and reassembly. We load, transport and unload your belongings into the rooms you specify. Optional extras include packing services, packing materials, more movers for heavier jobs and additional vehicles for larger loads. Your quote will set out exactly what is included so you know what to expect on the day.
What is the difference between your service and a casual man-and-van?
Our service combines the flexibility of a man-and-van with the standards of a removals company. We are fully insured, use trained staff, maintain our vehicles properly and provide written quotes and invoices. Casual operators may not have adequate insurance or equipment, which can increase the risk of damage or delays. With Catford Movers, you know who is turning up, what van will be used and how your belongings will be protected from start to finish.
How far in advance should I book?
For weekends and month-end dates, we recommend booking at least two weeks in advance, as these periods fill quickly. For mid-week and off-peak moves, a few days’ notice is often enough. That said, we will always try to help with short-notice and last-minute jobs where our schedule allows. The earlier you contact us, the more choice you will have on start times and the easier it is to plan parking and access properly.
