"Our hourly rate is just £55." Sounds reasonable, right? Then moving day arrives and suddenly there's a £15 call-out fee, £30 for stairs, £18 congestion charge, and £10/hour weekend surcharge. Your 3-hour job just went from £165 to £259.
This isn't dishonesty - it's how many companies operate. They quote a low base rate to win your business, then add extras for everything from walking up stairs to driving through central London.
Here's every hidden fee man and van companies charge, with real amounts, so you can budget properly and find companies offering genuinely transparent pricing.
Stairs and Access Fees
One of the most common surprise charges is for stairs and difficult access:
Stairs Charges
- 1st floor (no lift) £5-10
- 2nd floor (no lift) £10-20
- 3rd floor (no lift) £15-30
- 4th floor+ (no lift) £20-60
- Narrow stairwell Extra 50%
Access Issues
- Long carry from van £5-15
- No parking nearby £10-25
- Assembly/disassembly £15-40/item
- Wrapping service £2-5/item
- Storage stopover £20-50
What Counts as "Stairs"?
Most companies charge per floor above ground level if there's no working lift. Some include 1-2 flights in their base rate, others charge from the first step. External stairs (to front door) often count too. Always clarify what's included.
London Zone Charges
Moving in London comes with extra charges that many companies add to your bill:
Congestion Charge: £15-18
Applied for ANY part of your move within central London's congestion zone, Monday-Sunday 7am-10pm. Many companies add this even if only pickup OR destination is in the zone.
Congestion zone includes: City of London, Westminster, Camden (south), Islington (south), Lambeth (north), Southwark (north). Check TfL's map if unsure.
ULEZ Charge: £12.50
Ultra Low Emission Zone charge for older, non-compliant vans. Covers most of Greater London now. Responsible companies have upgraded their fleets, but some pass this cost to customers.
ULEZ compliant vehicles: Euro 6 diesel (2015+) or Euro 4 petrol (2005+). Ask if their vans are compliant before booking.
Parking Charges: £2-8/hour
In central London, vans often can't park for free. Some companies add parking meter costs, permit fees, or penalty charge risks to your bill.
Zone Confusion
Many customers don't realize their move involves these zones. Always provide full postcodes when getting quotes so companies can factor in zone charges upfront rather than surprising you later.
Time-Based Extra Charges
When you move can significantly affect your final bill:
Weekend & Holiday Surcharges
- Saturday +£5-10/hour
- Sunday +£8-15/hour
- Bank holidays +£10-20/hour
- Evening (after 6pm) +£10-15/hour
- Early morning (before 8am) +£5-12/hour
- Last-minute booking +£20-50 flat
Minimum Time Requirements
-
2-hour minimumStandard
Most common. Even if job takes 1 hour, you pay for 2.
-
3-hour minimumCommon
Large vans, Lutons, or two-man teams.
-
4-hour minimumWeekends
Weekend or holiday bookings.
Travel Time Charges
Some companies start the clock when they leave their depot, not when they arrive at yours. A company 45 minutes away could add 1.5 hours to your bill before they even touch your stuff.
Heavy Item and Special Handling Fees
Got anything big, heavy, or valuable? Expect extra charges:
| Item Type | Typical Fee | Why It Costs Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Piano (upright) | £50-150 | Heavy, delicate, needs special handling |
| Piano (grand) | £200-500 | Requires dismantling, specialist knowledge |
| Safe | £75-200 | Extremely heavy, potential floor damage |
| American fridge/freezer | £25-50 | Won't fit through standard doors |
| Hot tub/spa | £100-300 | Multiple people needed, specialist equipment |
| Gym equipment | £20-80 | Heavy, awkward shapes, disassembly |
| Antiques/art | £15-50/item | Special wrapping, extra insurance |
Weight Limits
Many companies define "heavy" as 30kg+ per person (about 60lbs). Anything requiring lifting equipment or extra people triggers surcharges.
Assembly Costs
Taking apart beds, wardrobes, desks often costs £10-20 per item. Reassembly at destination costs the same again.
How to Avoid Hidden Fee Surprises
Here's how to get honest, all-inclusive pricing upfront:
Ask the Magic Question
"Is this your final price including ALL extras?" Don't accept vague answers. Press for specifics about what else might be added.
Good answer: "Yes, £180 total including stairs, congestion charge, and everything." Bad answer: "It's £45/hour plus any extras that apply."
Provide Complete Details
Give full postcodes, floor numbers, heavy items, weekend/evening timing. The more they know, the more accurate (and complete) their quote will be.
Get Written Quotes
Verbal quotes mean nothing when surprise fees appear. Insist on written/email quotes with ALL costs itemized.
Ask These Specific Questions
• "Do you charge extra for stairs? How much per floor?"
• "Are congestion and ULEZ charges included in your price?"
• "Any weekend, evening, or holiday surcharges?"
• "Do you charge for travel time to my location?"
• "What's your minimum booking time?"
• "Any extra fees for heavy items, assembly, or waiting?"
Companies with Transparent Pricing
Look for companies that offer "all-inclusive" pricing or publish their extra charges openly. If a company won't discuss potential extras upfront, they're planning to surprise you later.
Van Thats Quick: No Hidden Fees
Our Promise: What You Quote Is What You Pay
Included in Our Standard Rates:
- Up to 2 flights of stairs (no extra charge)
- All London zone charges (congestion, ULEZ)
- No call-out fees or travel charges
- Basic assembly/disassembly included
- Full insurance (goods in transit + public liability)
- Professional wrapping materials
Our Honest Pricing:
Only Extra Charges:
- • 3+ flights of stairs: £5 per additional floor
- • Heavy items requiring special equipment: £15-30 per item
- • Jobs outside Greater London: fuel calculated upfront
- • Weekend premium: None (same rates 7 days a week)
All potential extras disclosed and calculated in your written quote. No surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common hidden fees in man and van services?
Common hidden fees include: stairs/no lift charges (£5-15 per floor), congestion charge (£15-18), ULEZ fees (£12.50), call-out fees (£15-30), weekend surcharges (£5-15/hour), heavy item fees (£10-50 per item), fuel surcharges, and minimum hour requirements.
How much do stairs add to a man and van job?
Most companies charge £5-15 per floor for properties without lift access. So if you're on the 4th floor with no lift, expect £20-60 in extra charges. Some companies include 1-2 flights of stairs in their base rate.
Do man and van services charge extra for congestion zone and ULEZ?
Yes, many add £15-18 for congestion charge (Mon-Sun 7am-10pm in central London) and £12.50 for ULEZ if their van isn't compliant. Some companies include these in their quoted price, others add them as extras.
How can I avoid hidden fees when booking a man and van?
Ask for an all-inclusive written quote upfront. Specifically ask about stairs, congestion charges, weekend rates, heavy items, fuel costs, and minimum hours. Get everything in writing before booking and choose companies that offer transparent, fixed pricing.
What questions should I ask to get transparent pricing?
Ask: 'Is this your final price including all extras?', 'Do you charge for stairs/lifts?', 'Are congestion and ULEZ charges included?', 'Any weekend or evening surcharges?', 'Do you charge for travel time?', 'What's your minimum booking time?', 'Any fees for heavy items?'
Why do some man and van quotes seem too good to be true?
Very low quotes often exclude common extras that get added later. A £35/hour quote might become £80/hour after stairs fees, congestion charges, call-out fees, and weekend surcharges. Always ask for a complete breakdown including likely extras.
Get Honest, All-Inclusive Pricing
No hidden fees, no surprises. What we quote is what you pay, with everything included upfront.