Comparison
DIY van hire vs man & van
Renting a van and doing it yourself looks cheaper — but once you add fuel, insurance, time and risk, does it really beat a man and van?
Updated 18 June 20267 min readUK prices
Local Expert Answer
DIY van hire vs man & van — Quick AnswerDIY van hire looks cheapest on the sticker (£50–£150/day) but the true cost adds fuel, insurance, a deposit, your time, and the risk of damage or injury — often landing close to a man and van (from £39/hr all-in) once you do the heavy lifting yourself. For anything beyond a few easy items, a man and van usually wins on value and stress.
DIY van hire vs man & van: side by side
Six dimensions that determine the real cost and effort of each option.
DIY van hire
Man & van
Headline cost
£50–£150/day
£39–£65/hour
Fuel
Your cost
Included
Insurance
Your liability
Goods-in-transit cover included
Who drives
You
Professional driver
Who lifts
You and your helpers
Driver helps or does it all
Deposit
£50–£250 held on card
None
- Headline cost
- DIY van hire
- £50–£150/day
- Man & van
- £39–£65/hour
- Fuel
- DIY van hire
- Your cost
- Man & van
- Included
- Insurance
- DIY van hire
- Your liability
- Man & van
- Goods-in-transit cover included
- Who drives
- DIY van hire
- You
- Man & van
- Professional driver
- Who lifts
- DIY van hire
- You and your helpers
- Man & van
- Driver helps or does it all
- Deposit
- DIY van hire
- £50–£250 held on card
- Man & van
- None
Prices are indicative and accurate as of June 2026. Actual costs vary by distance, vehicle size, date, floor level, and access conditions.
The hidden costs of DIY van hire
The advertised day rate is not what you actually pay. Here is what gets added at checkout or on the road.
- FuelA large van doing 60–80 miles round-trip can use £30–£60 of diesel, which is never included in the hire rate.
- Insurance excess coverStandard van hire comes with a £500–£1,500 excess. Reducing it costs £10–£20/day — most people pay it.
- Refundable depositMost hirers block £50–£250 on your card for the duration. It comes back, but it affects your available balance.
- Extra mileageDay rates often include 80–150 miles. Every mile over costs 15–30p. Longer moves add up fast.
- Your timeA DIY move requires a full day: picking up the van, loading, driving, unloading, returning. A man and van compresses that to a booked slot.
- Damage and injury riskWithout professionals, you carry the risk of scratching walls, dropping furniture, or injuring your back. A man and van transfers that risk.
Pros and cons of each option
DIY van hire
Pros
- Full control over timing and pace
- Cheapest option for a few light, easy-to-carry items
- No need to book a time slot with a third party
- You choose exactly how items are loaded
Cons
- All loading, driving, and unloading is your job
- True cost is higher than the headline rate once extras are counted
- No goods-in-transit cover for your belongings
- Real injury and damage risk with no professional oversight
- Requires a full free day, not just a slot
Man & van
Pros
- No driving or heavy lifting required
- Goods-in-transit insurance included
- Fixed or capped price with no surprise extras
- Professional driver experienced with access challenges
- Quick turnaround on a booked slot
Cons
- You need to book in advance
- Marginally higher upfront cost for very small, easy loads
- You are working to someone else's schedule
When to choose each option
Choose DIY van hire if...
- You are moving only a few light, easy-to-carry items
- You have willing, able helpers available for free
- You are confident driving a long-wheelbase or Luton van
- Both ends have easy access — no stairs, no narrow roads
- You have a full day free and want control over every detail
Choose a man & van if...
- You have heavy or awkward furniture to move
- Stairs, walk-ups, or tight parking are involved
- You want goods-in-transit cover without extra hassle
- You value your time and your back
- You would otherwise need to bribe friends with pizza
- You want a fixed, predictable price with no surprise extras
DIY van hire vs man & van — FAQs
Is hiring a van cheaper than a man and van?
On the headline rate, DIY van hire looks cheaper (£50–£150/day vs £39–£65/hr). But once you add fuel, insurance excess cover, a refundable deposit, and your own time loading and unloading, the real cost lands much closer — or higher. For most small moves, a man and van is better value.
What does DIY van hire actually cost once you add everything up?
Budget for the day rate (£50–£150), diesel for the round trip, an excess-reduction top-up (£10–£20), a deposit held on your card (£50–£250), and any mileage over the included limit. You also do all the physical work, with no cover if you damage your belongings or injure yourself.
Do I need to do any heavy lifting with a man and van?
No. Loading and unloading is included with a man and van service. You can add a second mover for heavier or bulkier jobs. With DIY van hire, every item is your responsibility from start to finish.
Is a man and van insured when DIY hire is not?
A man and van booking includes goods-in-transit insurance for your belongings. With DIY van hire, the vehicle has third-party cover but your possessions are not protected — your home contents policy may also exclude items in transit. That insurance difference is a significant part of the man and van value.
When does DIY van hire make more sense than a man and van?
DIY can be genuinely cheaper when you are moving only a few light items, have free and able helpers, are confident driving a larger van, have easy access at both ends, and have a full day to spare. Outside those conditions, a man and van almost always wins on value and stress.
Sources
- British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) — van hire day-rate benchmarks, 2025
- Checkatrade national man and van price guide, 2025
- ABI (Association of British Insurers) — goods-in-transit insurance notes
Skip the driving and lifting
A man and van from Giant Van is insured, all-in and often better value than DIY hire. Get a fixed price in 60 seconds.
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