Two quotes for the same move can look nothing alike: one is a rate per hour, the other a single figure. Here is how hourly rate vs fixed price removals compare in London, with one move costed both ways and a simple test to find which saves more for yours.
Quick answer: Hourly removals usually save money on small, well-prepared moves with short distances and easy access. Fixed price removals usually save money on larger homes, long-distance moves and London jobs with stairs, long carries or uncertain key times. The quick test: divide the fixed quote by the hourly rate. If your move will take well under that many hours, hourly wins.
Key takeaways
- An hourly rate is a price per hour, not a price for your move. What counts as billable time matters as much as the rate itself.
- A fixed price moves the risk of delays onto the removal company, but only for the items and access described when you were quoted.
- Your break-even point is the fixed quote divided by the hourly rate. That number tells you how much slack an hourly job has.
- In London, the clock usually runs over at the kerb: parking, red routes, stairs and late keys.
How hourly removals work
With hourly removals you pay for a crew and van for the time they work, and the rate depends on van and crew size. In London, typical man and van rates run from about £35 an hour for a small van where you do the loading to £82 an hour for a Luton van with a driver and one helper.
The rate is only half the story. Four rules decide the final bill:
- Minimum hours. Most firms set a minimum booking. Two hours is common on man and van jobs, and larger crews often set longer ones.
- Billing increments. Some firms bill in 15 or 30 minute blocks, others round up to the full hour.
- Start and stop points. “Door to door” means the clock runs from arrival at your old home to the last item in. “Depot to depot” adds the drive from their yard and back.
- Travel time. A firm based across London can bill an hour or more of driving before they lift a box.
Hourly pricing is the norm for man and van moves in London, because small jobs usually finish quickly.
How fixed price removals work
A fixed price removal is based on a survey, in person or by video, plus an inventory and notes on access at both ends. The British Association of Removers Code of Practice asks members to assess the work accurately and give fixed price written quotations, and makes clear the quote applies only to the items listed.
That is the catch: a forgotten loft or a “can you just take this too” on the day can change the price. Most quotes cover the crew, van, loading, transport and unloading. Packing materials, dismantling, storage and parking suspensions are often charged separately, so check the list of inclusions line by line.
Expect a deposit to secure the date and written cancellation terms. Be wary of any firm asking for a large cash-only deposit.
When hourly saves money, and when fixed price does
Hourly usually wins when
- The load is small: a studio, a one-bed or a few large items
- Everything is packed, labelled and by the door before the crew arrives
- Both properties have a lift or ground floor access, with parking right outside
- The route is short and you can move outside rush hour
Fixed price usually wins when
- You are moving a family home with several rooms of furniture
- Access is awkward: walk-up flats, narrow stairs, long carries from the van
- Key release depends on a chain, so waiting time is likely
- You are moving out of London, where long-distance removals add drive time and fuel to every hour
- Your budget has no room for a surprise
London factors that stretch an hourly job
In our experience moving London homes since 2003, hourly jobs rarely overrun because of the lifting. They overrun at the kerb:
- Stairs with no lift. Every flight adds time to every trip.
- Long carries. If the van parks 50 metres away, each sofa and box makes that walk twice.
- No parking bay. Inside a CPZ you may need a council bay suspension, with notice and a fee that varies by borough.
- Red routes. You cannot stop to load on most red routes, so the van uses a side street.
- Traffic and timing. A 20 minute drive at 10am can take an hour at 5pm.
- Road charges. The Congestion Charge is £18 a day, and the ULEZ charge is £12.50 a day for non-compliant vans. Ask whether these are in the quote or added after.
These are a big part of why London moves cost more than the same job elsewhere. On a fixed quote the firm absorbs them; on an hourly job, you do.
Worked example: one London move costed both ways
Assumptions (labelled, not Elephant Removals’ prices):
- A two-bedroom home moving about 12 miles within London, self-packed
- Hourly option: Luton van, driver and one helper at £82 an hour, billed door to door in half hours
- Fixed option: £779, the figure Which? found for a two-bed house moving 12 miles within London
- Time: a self-packed two-bed usually takes 5 to 7 hours
Break-even: £779 ÷ £82 = about 9.5 hours. Below that, hourly is cheaper. Above it, the fixed quote wins.
| Moving day | What happens | Billable hours | Hourly cost | Fixed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth | Lift at both ends, bay outside, fully packed | 5 | £410 | £779 |
| Typical London | Third floor walk-up, van parked down the road | 7 | £574 | £779 |
| Bad | As above, plus keys released 90 minutes late and a long carry at the new home | 9.5 or more | £779 or more | £779 |
On paper, hourly wins this move unless the day loses about two and a half hours beyond a realistic seven. Change one input, such as a three-person crew at a higher rate or a chain with known key risk, and the break-even point moves. Run the sum with your own two quotes.
Hourly vs fixed price at a glance
| Hourly rate | Fixed price | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost certainty | Low: final bill depends on the day | High, if the inventory and access are accurate |
| Flexibility | Easy to add or drop small items | Changes can trigger a revised price |
| Best for | Small, local, well-prepared moves | Larger homes, long distance, awkward access |
| Main risk | Delays you cannot control | Paying for a buffer you did not need |
| Check in the quote | Minimum hours, increments, travel time, waiting time | Full inventory, exclusions, what triggers a price change |
Hidden costs in both models
Hourly: rounding up to the hour, travel time from the depot, waiting time while you finish packing or wait for keys, and higher rates for evenings or weekends. Ask whether overtime rates apply and what time they start.
Fixed price: items added on the day, access worse than described, long carry fees, packing materials, dismantling and reassembly, and fees for changing the date. Also check goods in transit cover, as many policies exclude items you packed yourself.
Questions to ask before you accept a removal quote
- When exactly does the clock start and stop: at my door, or at your depot?
- What is the minimum charge, and do you bill in 15 minutes, 30 minutes or full hours?
- Is travel time charged, and is waiting time charged if keys are late?
- When do overtime or weekend rates apply?
- For a fixed quote: what is on the inventory, and what would change the price?
- Who arranges and pays for the parking suspension, Congestion Charge and ULEZ?
- Are packing materials, dismantling and reassembly included?
- Is VAT included in the figure?
- How much is the deposit, and what are the cancellation and rearrangement fees?
- What goods in transit cover do you hold, and is there a limit per item?
How to cut the cost under either model
- Declutter before the survey. Less volume means a smaller van, fewer hours or a lower fixed price.
- Pack non-fragile items yourself, and leave china and glass to professional packing services if you want them covered.
- Book parking early. A bay outside the door saves more time than any other single step in London.
- Move midweek and mid-month. Fridays, weekends and month-end are the busiest and dearest slots.
- Be ready when the crew arrives. Beds stripped, flat-pack down, boxes by the exit.
For typical figures by property size, see our guide to removal prices and moving costs, or browse the full range of removal services.
FAQs
Is a fixed price move cheaper than paying by the hour?
Not always. Fixed prices include a buffer for delays, so a quick, easy move is often cheaper by the hour. Larger or awkward moves often work out cheaper on a fixed price.
Do removal companies charge for travel time?
Many do on hourly jobs. Some bill from your door, others from their depot, so ask before you book.
What is the typical man and van hourly rate in London?
Roughly £35 to £82 an hour, depending on van size and how much help you need.
Can a fixed price removal quote go up?
Yes, if the job changes from what was quoted: extra items, worse access or a new date. An accurate survey keeps it fixed.
What happens if my keys are released late?
On an hourly move, waiting time is usually billable. On a fixed price move, check the terms: some quotes include a set waiting allowance, then charge beyond it.
If you’d like your own move costed both ways, you can request a removal quote and ask for a survey-based fixed price alongside an hourly estimate.