What a good man & van should include

Written By Ciaran Clarke

When you search “man and van Brighton” or “man and van Worthing”, you get pages of results.

Some are excellent.
Some are… just a bloke with a van and a Facebook page.

For a small move, that difference decides whether you have a smooth, stress-free day – or a long, expensive headache.

This guide walks you through 10 things a good man & van service should include before you book, with a Sussex lens on it – Brighton parking, Worthing flats, Lancing terraces and everything in between.

Use it as a checklist to sort the genuine professionals from the “hope for the best” options.

1–2. Proper insurance & simple paperwork

1. Insurance that actually covers your stuff

At a minimum, a professional man & van should have:

  • Goods in transit insurance – covers your belongings while they’re in the van

  • Public liability insurance – covers accidental damage to property or injury caused while working

You may never need it (and hopefully won’t), but if something does go wrong, you don’t want to find out they weren’t insured.

✅ Good sign: They can tell you what cover they have in simple terms and are happy to confirm it by message or email.
❌ Red flag: “Yeah yeah, we’re covered mate, don’t worry about it” with no detail.

2. Clear confirmation in writing

You don’t need a 10-page legal document, but you do want basic details written down:

  • Date and time window

  • Pickup and drop-off addresses

  • Whether it’s 1 man & van or 2 men & van

  • Rough idea of what’s being moved

  • How you’ll be charged (fixed price or hourly, plus any minimum)

This can be as simple as a WhatsApp or email you can scroll back to. If details are only ever on the phone and they won’t confirm anything in writing, be cautious.

3–4. Decent van and basic equipment

3. A clean, suitable van

The van doesn’t have to be fresh from the showroom, but it should be:

  • Clean inside, not full of old rubbish or oily tools

  • Big enough for the job (especially for 1–2 bed moves)

  • In good working order – lights, tyres, doors, locks

If they regularly move furniture and household items, their van will look the part.

✅ Good sign: Photos of the van on their website or social media that match what turns up.
❌ Red flag: It arrives looking like a builder’s skip on wheels.

4. The right basic kit: blankets, straps, trolleys

A proper man & van doesn’t just throw your stuff in the back and hope.

Look for:

  • Moving blankets to protect furniture

  • Straps/ropes to secure items so they don’t slide around

  • Trolley/dolly for heavier pieces and appliances

  • A small toolkit for taking beds/legs off where needed

You shouldn’t have to ask them to bring this – it’s standard kit for people who move things for a living.

5–6. Help with loading, unloading and simple dismantling

5. Actual help – not just a driver

A man & van service should load and unload your items, not just turn up and drive.

Clarify what’s included:

  • Will they carry furniture and boxes from your home to the van and into the new place?

  • Or are they just providing “driver + vehicle” and expecting you to do everything else?

Most people booking a man & van for a home move are paying for muscle and experience, not just wheels.

6. Willingness to handle simple dismantling and reassembly

For 1–2 bed homes, there are usually a few awkward bits:

  • Bed frames

  • Wardrobes

  • Tables with removable legs

  • Sometimes a sofa that needs feet taking off

A good man & van will:

  • Tell you what they can and can’t dismantle

  • Bring basic tools

  • Help take things apart and put them back together (within reason and within the agreed time)

They might not rebuild a 4-door sliding wardrobe system from scratch, but they should be comfortable with straightforward jobs.

7–8. Clear communication and realistic quotes

7. Straightforward, friendly communication

You’ll get a feel for a service just from the first messages:

  • Do they respond promptly and politely?

  • Do they answer your questions properly, not just with one-word replies?

  • Do they ask you relevant questions (stairs, parking, volume of stuff)?

Moving is stressful enough – you want someone who makes you feel calmer, not more anxious.

8. Transparent, realistic pricing

Good man & van companies are clear about how they charge:

  • Fixed quote for specific jobs (e.g. “Move this 1-bed flat from BN11 to BN3”)

  • Or hourly rate with a minimum, plus clear info on when extra time kicks in

They’ll also explain what could affect the price on the day:

  • Big extra items that weren’t mentioned

  • Serious delays with keys or access

  • Extra stops you add on the spot

✅ Good sign: They explain this up front so nothing feels sneaky.
❌ Red flag: “Dunno mate, we’ll see on the day” with no indication of ballpark cost or how time is calculated.

9. Local knowledge (parking, access, Brighton/Worthing quirks)

Brighton, Worthing and nearby towns have their own special challenges:

  • Residents’ parking zones and strict wardens

  • Tight one-way streets and bus lanes

  • Seafront flats with awkward stairs or small lifts

  • Terraces with no front parking

A strong man & van service will:

  • Ask about parking and permits

  • Have a feel for different areas (Brighton lanes vs Worthing seafront vs Lancing estates)

  • Be realistic about timing because they know what local traffic and access are like

This makes a real difference on move day – especially if you’re juggling keys, cleaners and kids.

10. Professionalism, reviews and red flags

Good signs to look for

  • Consistent 5★ reviews mentioning:

    • Carefulness

    • Punctuality

    • Friendly attitude

    • Fair prices

  • A real name and phone number, not just a throwaway profile

  • Photos of real jobs – vans, furniture being moved, happy customers

  • A simple, sensible website or at least a clear, complete listing

You’re trusting someone with everything you own – a bit of due diligence is worth it.

When to walk away

If you spot any of this, think twice:

  • They refuse to confirm anything in writing

  • They can’t explain their insurance or say “we don’t need that”

  • The price is suspiciously low compared to others, with no explanation

  • They get irritated or defensive when you ask normal questions

  • The van turns up and looks nothing like what was promised

There are plenty of honest, reliable man & van operators in Sussex. You don’t need to gamble on someone who makes you feel uneasy.

How Your Move Mate ticks these boxes

At Your Move Mate, we’ve built our man & van service around exactly the things above:

  • ✅ Fully insured – goods in transit and public liability

  • ✅ Clean, well-maintained van with blankets, straps and the right equipment

  • ✅ Choice of 1 man & van or 2 men & van, depending on how much help you need

  • ✅ Help with loading, unloading and simple dismantling/assembly

  • ✅ Clear quotes in writing, with honest explanations of how pricing works

  • ✅ Local to Worthing, Brighton, Lancing, Shoreham, Eastbourne and Chichester – used to the parking and access quirks

  • ✅ 5★ feedback from customers who mention our care, communication and reliability

If you’re planning a move and want to sanity-check whether a man & van is right for you – or you just want to know what it would cost – we’re happy to talk it through.

Call or WhatsApp: 07460 216 348
Email: don@yourmovemate.co.uk

Ciaran Clarke
Next

Man & van vs full removals: what’s best for a 1–2 bed home in Sussex?