Man and Vans aim to assist our clients to the best of our ability ensuring all their needs are met with costing an arm and a leg. We offer efficient, reliable and cost-effective removal services for all homes and offices. We also do international moves. Our expert movers will gladly assist you from the beginning to the end.
We do understand that every job is different and has unique requirements. Our experts will work closely with you ensuring that all your necessities are covered. If you require a Man and Vans quote outside of our original and normal rates, we will gladly prepare a bespoke quote for you.
We have provided some extra information based on how we process quotations. We use these as guidelines to determine how we set up specially tailored quotes.
Our Man and Vans Rates and Special Requests
- We acknowledge the distance our movers are required to drive to a job.
- We work on a minimum of 2 hours per job. If your job is less than 2 hours we are willing to prepare a bespoke quote for your removal.
- We encourage all our clients to book in advance. This is to avoid disappointment. We do however understand that same day jobs are required. We would gladly book your job on the same day but this only depends on the availability of our movers and vans.
- The only time our price will change is when special requests are required.
- Should you have special items such as a piano or a stone bath, we will work closely with you regarding the logistics around the time spent for the removal.
No job is too big or too small for Man and Vans. Our expert movers are always willing to help wherever possible. The last thing we want is for you to stress about your move. So, allow Man and Vans to provide a stress-free and hassle free move.
To ensure we support you to the best of our ability, we offer effective extra add-on services that can come with your Man and Vans quote. These services include packing, packaging materials and storage options. We have three packaging material options to choose from. This is to ensure we’ve got you covered. Our storage units are secured and your goods will be insured. This is to give you piece of mind knowing your goods are safe and protected.
Our expert movers will stay with you through the entire process of your move. We want to make sure that you are comfortable and all your goods are safely carried into your new location.
Next time you plan a move, do not hesitate to call us and let us help you find the best possible bespoke quote. With over 10 years’ experience in the removal industry, we understand how important your move is.
Get your Man and Vans Quote Today
For more information on our services or if you are interested in using Man and Vans for your next move, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 7193 5486 or email us at sales@manandvans.com.
Alternatively, you could visit our website here and chat to one of our consultants online. Our friendly staff members will gladly assist you and provide the necessary information. We will happily work out a tailored quote for you.
Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Agent
Besides home removals being an overwhelming experience, buying a home can be just as daunting. It is a big responsibility as well as a huge financial step. We are here to provide you with some helpful questions to ask when buying a home.
Real estate agents are great assistants when it comes to finding your prefect future home. They are able to provide you with greater insight and knowledge about the market. The important thing that you need to ensure is that you ask the right questions during this process.
8 Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Agent
- What experience do you have as a real estate agent?
- Are you able to provide a comparative market analysis?
- Could you provide me with more information on home loans?
- What is the flexibility of the seller?
- Are there any monthly utility costs?
- What is the neighbourhood like?
- Are there any problems with the house?
- When can I move in?
These are key questions to ask your real estate agent to ensure that you have all the relevant information about the property before jumping in. We take great pride in assisting our clients to the best of our ability.
Remember that Man and Vans are here to ensure that your move is as stress-free as possible. We are here to help you every step of the removals process. We also offer extra services such as packaging and storage to provide further assistance during your move.
You can definitely count on Man & Vans when it comes to removals. With more than a decade of experience in the removal industry, we take pride in providing our customers with competitive prices, high quality and reliable services.
For more information, feel free to contact us on 020 7193 5486 or email us at sales@manandvans.com and one of our sales consultants will gladly assist you. We look forward to hearing from you.
10 Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home
Looking to increase the value of your humble abode without spending a fortune? We have put together a list of 10 simple things you can do to make sure that your house shows its worth. While these tips may seem a lot like no-brainers, it is always good to have a list to tick off.
Inspect Your Property
Not all home improvements are about throwing a little paint on the walls to freshen up the place, sometimes you need to identify the niggly spots like a deteriorating roof or an outdated electrical system. You can’t fix it if you didn’t know it was broken. Once you have identified the problem areas, call the appropriate people and get it fixed.
Paint, Paint, Paint
Speaking about cosmetics – paint your walls, ceilings and roof. You would be surprised what a little paint can do.
Clean Up That Lawn
Overgrown or patchy lawns are quite an eye sore. Tame the jungle by hiring a gardening company and shape your lawn into something beautiful.
Make Your Home Seem Bigger Than It Is
Believe it or not, this is quite an easy thing to achieve. It’s all about letting the light in – add mirrors to your hallway or replace those aged curtains with vertical blinds. You would be astonished how much bigger your space will look.
Cleanliness Is Key
You only get one shot at a first impression so get out your cloths and dusters! It’s never a bad thing to bring in a professional to give your place a top-to-bottom scrubbing.
Replace Worn Out Carpets
We know that finding and buying the right carpet can be quite expensive, trust us when we say it is totally worth it.
Window Treatment
Boost your property’s appeal by updating your windows. Installing properly sealed windows will help lower future maintenance costs and add extra appeal to you home.
Plumbing
Your kitchen and bathroom pipes may need some love. Updating your home to water and power efficient appliances will leave a lasting impression as well as help you save on energy.
Refurbish Your Front Door
Smarten it up a bit. It’s the first thing visitors will see – get a new door knob, a brass letterbox or new house numbers.
Improve Your Kitchen
The showpiece of your house is undoubtedly the kitchen. This room is where we cook, do homework, watch television and hold dinner parties. Install up to date equipment so it won’t look outdated in 10 years’ time.
How to Prep Big Appliances for your Move
Moving can be an overwhelming experience. However, you can count on Man & Vans to ensure that your relocation is stress free. Moving big appliances can be tricky and are some of the hardest things to relocate.
With more than a decade of experience in the removal industry, no move is too big or too small for us. We take pride in providing our customers with high quality and reliable services.
Tips on Moving Big Appliances
When looking at home removals, kitchens usually have the biggest appliances that need to be carefully reassembled and packed securely. We provided a few tips when moving big kitchen appliances.
- Fridge: Always make sure the fridge is emptied and unplugged at least 24 hours prior to the move. Once defrosted, clean out the fridge. Remove all shelving before loading the fridge.
- Stove: Thoroughly clean the stove inside and out. Remove any racks from the stove. If you have a gas stove, ensure that the gas is turned off before disconnecting the stove.
- Dishwasher: Clean your dishwasher and remove the utensil holder. It is best to tape the door closed. Make sure all plugs are safe and secure.
- Washing Machine and Dryer: These need special attention. Remove all pipes and hoses in a separate box. It is important to remove the drum and secure it.
We also provide add on services for further assistance. We have a reliable team who are willing to help you with all aspects of your move. Whether you need help with packing your possessions, storing them or even unpacking your goods, we want your move to be as hassle free as possible.
For more information, feel free to contact Man & Vans on 020 7193 5486 and one of our sales consultants will gladly assist you. We look forward to hearing from you.
London Living for Expats | Man & Vans
London is known for its unique tourist attractions, rich culture and constant city buzz. As most of us already know London is quite populated which makes house hunting a mission and a half. It can become rather daunting when you decide to move to London but have no idea where to start. Fortunately, London does have accommodation options contrary to popular belief that are budget friendly.
Surprisingly, London does not fall under one of the world’s most expensive cities for expats. However, the cost of living and accommodation remains rife in the UK’s capital.
The ideal thing to do when moving to London is to determine where exactly you would like to live that fits in with your budget limitations. Keeping in mind the proximity to the supermarkets as well as giving some thought to how long your commute to work job will be.
Expats wanting to bring their whole family should consider more spacious grounds at affordable rates. The further one moves away from the centre of London, the more affordable it will become.
Here is a unique layout of the city when viewing it from the Zone point of view:
-Zones 1 & 2: Close to the city centre, accommodation is more expensive and hard to find
-Zones 3 & 4: Semi-detached homes and tenement units
-Zones 5 & 6: Cheapest accommodation, transport into the city is an issue during peak times
Whenever you feel ready for the big move to London do not hesitate to contact Man & Vans. We will assist you in your big move and help make life a little less stressful. We understand that moving can be overwhelming and we are here to help.
For more information or if you want to learn more about what we do please do not hesitate to call us on 020 7193 5486.
Why you should choose Man and Vans
It’s a stressful experience moving home. There are plenty of removal companies out there, so why should you choose Man and Vans?
We have over 10 years’ experience in the industry and a friendly reliable team who are efficient and get the job done. Our aim is to make your move as stress free as possible with our wide range of offered services. We do both local, nationwide and international removals. We also offer premium packing and storage services at competitive rates to our customers.
Still Need Some More Convincing?
Whether you are relocating to a new family home or your firm are moving offices, Man and Vans are on hand to help. As well as getting the job done quickly, we also offer short and long term storage solutions. We pride ourselves on our high quality services and always guarantee customer satisfaction.
How Are We Different From The Rest
Our personalised services mean that we can do a wide variety of jobs. Whether it’s the 10th floor of an apartment block, a seven bedroom house or a bachelors flat; our tailor made packages are suited to everyone’s needs. Our friendly movers will put your mind at ease ensuring that your move is as little hassle as possible.
Man and Vans are here to help for all moves however big or small. You can view our full range of services on our website. Alternatively, you can give one of our friendly customer care team a call on 020 7193 5486. Focus on your move and we will take care of the rest.
How to declutter your home when moving
It’s a scary thought moving house, even more daunting is the thought of moving all of the clutter that has built up over the years. From boxes in the attic that haven’t been touched in decades to reconsidering tossing that bedraggled coffee table, we’ve all been there. We have created a list of some helpful and creative tips on how to declutter your home before the big move.
Be ruthless
Stick to the basics, too much furniture can make a room look like something off of the TV program Hoarders. A couple of sofas and side tables in the lounge is all you need, remember that less is more.
Get rid of those magazines
We all know the “pile” of magazines dating back to July 2013. Recycle them. The Good Home magazine does not need to come with you, nor does the Sunday Times from seven weeks ago.
Keep it organised
Interior decorators reckon that 75% of your coffee table should be clear, yes 75%. So maybe it’s time to re-home those unused French oak candles that the mother in-law got for you last Christmas.
Floor space
Maybe it’s time for that ugly rug that’s been in the entrance hall for the last few years to get a new home. Why not send it on its way down to the charity shop. It’s done its time and seen in plenty of guests. Open floor space is a great way to make a room look bigger.
Be creative with your kitchen
Do you really need four frying pans? Considering you only use two of them, downsizing in the kitchen is an excellent way to save space. Why not consider hanging the bulky pots on the wall in your new home, put them on display, this saves place and can give your kitchen a real funky feel.
We pride ourselves on our professional service and understand how stressful moving can be. Our removal experts are more than happy to help you pack and unpack your possessions. For more information on Man and Vans why not give one of our customer care team a call, alternatively check out our website.
Office Relocation Guide and Checklist
Start things off by finding your new office premises
We recommend that you give yourself enough time to find an office that suits your company and its employees’ needs. To figure out if a certain space is suitable for you, ask yourself questions such as:
• Is it big enough? Is there room for you to expand in the future?
• What security measures are there? How will it affect your insurance?
• Is it accessible and is there ample parking? Can your employees get to work easily?
• Are there enough power sockets, a kitchen for coffee runs, male and female toilets, air conditioning or central heating? What other facilities do you need?
When you do find a property that piques your interest, try to negotiate the terms of your lease, possibly with the help of a legal advisor to ensure it’s done properly. If you’re a startup, a more flexible lease will a suitable option, while more established companies can negotiate a non-flexible lease with more ease.
Plan it out
Once you’ve decided to make the move, the next step is to plan the logistics. When it comes to relocating an office, the more detailed you can be, the better. By paying attention to detail, you enjoy a smooth process from start to finish. Additionally, the quicker a move can be, the lower the costs, so planning will also ensure you don’t end up spending more than you ought to.
Office Removals Checklist
6 Weeks to Moving Day
– Measure your new office space so you know whether your furniture will fit into it or not.
4 Weeks to Moving Day
– If there isn’t a security company on the premises, arrange for an independent contractor to survey your new office and make security recommendations.
– Ask your furniture suppliers for their advice on layout
– If you need to, order new furniture and ensure it’s delivered the week before the move
– Contact Man and Vans for a quote
– Arrange the installation of new phone lines. Your IT support should be able to help you with the technical aspect of the move, but if not, Man and Vans has specialists that can do this for you.
3 Weeks to Moving Day
– Make sure you inform all your existing customers and suppliers that you’re moving. Cancel any deliveries to your current address and ensure they’re aware of the new address and the date they’re required to start delivering.
2 Weeks to Moving Day
– While the new office is still empty, have the phone lines and broadband put in.
– Set up forwarding telephone numbers.
– Arrange a postal redirect for the move date.
– Make sure you have all the essentials in place and check the kitchen and bathroom facilities are all in working condition.
– If there is a delay between the date you’re moving out and moving in, make use of Man and Vans storage for any cumbersome items such as desks, files and IT equipment.
1 Week to Moving Day
– Have Man and Vans deliver your packaging (we also provide a packing service that will see one of our experienced experts help you pack so that your employees can work uninterrupted).
– Make sure all furniture is delivered and arrange for your movers to set it all up.
– Ask your cleaners to do a final clean of the old office so that you leave it in good condition for the new company moving in.
On Moving Day
– We know that being in charge of an office can be very stressful, but if you follow the guide, you should be able to relax on moving day. Just leave it up to the fully capable hands of Man and Vans to take care of the rest.
7 things no one tells you about moving out of your parent’s home
We all know the feeling. You’re lying on your bed playing Candy Crush on the WiFi that you don’t have to pay for, as the aircon swirls the room into a comfortable 22 degrees, using the electricity that you don’t have to worry about, and the smells of your favourite home-cooked meal being made by mum downstairs tantalize your nostrils and set your tummy rumbling. With only one thought on our minds: “I can’t wait to have my own place”.
When we’re young, moving out of home seems like an exciting milestone that we impatiently await, torturing ourselves with the idea that our lives will evolve into the comic lives of the characters on the series Friends – complete with hilarious one-liners, friends over at all times of the day and night, and a well-paying job that can sustain our free-spirited lifestyle.
Amazing as Friends was, it can’t claim to hold a candle to real life when it comes to moving out of your parents’ home and into the real world on your own. Be it in a rented apartment, or your first ever self-owned property, there are a number of things that no one tells you when you move out of your parent’s home. And as the dedicated movers in and around London, we at Man and Vans have decided to sit you down and tell you the truth. Buckle up and prepare! It’s a bumpy ride.
1. Take-out is expensive
While Sunday night take-out was a regular routine with your parents, the cold hard fact is that when you’re paying for it yourself, take-out adds up. While we know how very much you love your pizzas, Indian curries and Chinese food in front of the television, if you do attempt to sustain your routine sans the parental payment plan, you may well end up with a lot more month at the end of your money! It’s also advisable that you attempt to learn to cook healthy meals for yourself too – unless you’re tempted to live on take-out everyday of the week, which may leave you in debt and in need of a wardrobe overhaul as well!
2. Friends around all the time can get old
We’re pretty certain you’re shaking your head in disbelief as you read the last line, but it’s the truth. While it’s incredibly exciting to be able to have your friends come-and-go as you please, it becomes a little tiresome when they decide to come-and-go as they please. Rather than having your friends treat your new home as a rent-free halfway house after parties or the breakfast spot on weekends (to which no one contributes any groceries, but will eat you out of house and home), you should try to set some boundaries from the beginning. Avoid the phrase “come over anytime,” and rather just invite your friends around when you’re able to entertain. Another cool idea is to theme these invitations with such requirements as B.Y.O.B. (bring your own booze) or asking each person to bring a dish so you can all dine together without having to foot the bill by yourself.
3. Use by Dates become more flexible
When it comes down to it – food is expensive. If you’ve managed to save yourself from the hefty bill that comes with regular take-out, your next challenge will be to decide how to spend your money in such a way that you can buy food you will use. We recommend keeping an eye out for specials in the supermarket or buying your non-perishable items in bulk. Remember, the Use by Date is there to protect you, but there can be ways around them too. If the bread has only just started getting moldy on the crust, cut it off and use normally. If the milk says it expired yesterday, but it doesn’t smell as if it’s gone off, you can probably get away with a few more cups of coffee and a bowl of cereal before it becomes completely inedible. Be smart about your food choices and the way in which you use them so that you get the most from what you’ve got.
4. There is no house cleaning fair
We know you’re super disappointed about this one, but it’s true. No matter how hard you try to cling to the notion that in your old house a cleaning fairy did al the work, the odds are more likely that it was your dear old mum. The more you put the cleaning and washing off, the longer it will take to do it all when you finally cave in. Try to stay on top of the mess by cleaning things as you use them. And if you can’t clean a little bit everyday, at least set aside a day a week to do a cleaning overhaul on the entire apartment.
5. Rent actually costs money.
We were as heart broken as you will be to find this one out, but no matter how cheap the rent sounds when you first find your place, it is actually going to cost you that amount. Every single month. No matter what. Who knew?
6. You’re the boss
This probably sounds like the whole reason why you moved out, but there’s a catch. Being the boss doesn’t just mean making the final decision about where to place the TV or what’s for dinner – it means being responsible too! That means the broken bathroom light bulb won’t get replaced until you do it. And the clogged up toilet will also remain that way until you give in and get your hands dirty. No one said being the boss was a walk in the park, but when your name is on the lease, you have to do it. All of it.
7. It’s still completely worth it
You may not have a cast of five friends who’re all incredibly witty, good looking, and rolling in cash, but you will still have the time of your life. And even if you’re knee-deep in washing for the first week or two, with time you will learn how best to keep your home, and soon, you’ll be doing so without any effort. So, while you won’t necessarily be out and about at the trendiest venues every night of the week, or be able to afford the bi-monthly facials your mum used to pamper you with, you will feel like a complete and total winner. A hungry, broke, dish-washing winner.
Considerations for Moving Your Family out of London
Living in London is fabulous. Not only is there a pulse coursing through the city that seems to reverberate through your bones and blood vessels until you’re buzzing with excitement, but there’s so much time to do pretty much anything you can think of. From walking the pavements with friends popping in and out of boutiques or dining in some of the world’s most unique and exquisite restaurants, there is seemingly no end to what you can do in the city.
But when your children come along, it’s often the right time to consider relocating to somewhere a little further from the capital. The motives for such a move can range, but often include the need for bigger, affordable property with a big garden for the kids to play in and a sense of community. Recent times have seen a mass exodus of families with young children from London to the areas around the city where a better quality of life awaits. Since we understand how daunting a move from the capital can be, we’ve put together a list of things you ought to consider when toying with the idea of making a move towards country living.
Traveling to the city
If you work in London, you’ll likely know that travelling to the city from the outer regions can be quite easy. Connections to London are improving every year, with Crossrail opening up in many areas on the M4 corridor. Overland train lines are also becoming a more popular alternative to crowded underground public transport, affording young Brits the chance to live somewhere where they can actually afford to buy property, without having to sacrifice their job or career.
Do your research
While finding the perfect property is an undertaking in itself, the odds of finding affordable, spacious real estate outside of London are much better. Take your time when trying to decide where to move to, so that you can be certain that the house you choose, or the village it’s in, is the right one for you and your family. While you might feel like you’re jumping into the unknown, finding a property with sprawling lawns, and enough room for your three kids, can certainly help to alleviate any uncertainty you might have that you’re doing the right thing.
Consider the kids
Since you’re trying to make the move out of London for the enrichment of your children’s livelihood, it’s important that you consider nearby schools and other amenities. You can use online maps to establish how far from the town/station your potential new home is, and whether it’s within areas you’d like to live and within walking distance from the school you’d like your kids to attend.
While there are certainly a variety of things that will run through your mind when moving your family out of London, many parents who have done so would recommend it. In light of the surging property prices in the capital, one can hardly pass up the promise of a bigger property and a better quality of life for yourself and your kids outside of London.