AnyVan vs a Full Removal Company: Which Should You Book?
AnyVan is cheaper than a full removal company on small jobs, and the gap closes as the move grows. A studio or 1-bed local move is £100–£300 with AnyVan against £250–£450 with a removal firm; by 3-bed it is £400–£700 against £500–£900. For a single large item AnyVan charges £30–£120 where a removal company has an £80–£250 minimum.
AnyVan and traditional removal companies solve the same problem in very different ways. Choosing the wrong one for your move type can cost you money - or your moving day. Here's how they actually compare.
Get a benchmark first. Use our free moving cost calculator to see what your move should cost before comparing either option - it takes about 2 minutes.
How Each Service Works
AnyVan is a marketplace. You enter your job, and drivers who are already travelling your route bid for it or accept a fixed price. Your belongings may share van space with other customers' items, and the driver is an independent operator - not AnyVan staff.
A full removal company sends a dedicated crew and vehicle for your move alone. You get a pre-move survey (video or in person), a fixed quote, and one accountable company from start to finish.
Cost Comparison
| Move Type | AnyVan (typical) | Removal Company (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Single large item | £30-£120 | £80-£250 (minimum charge) |
| Studio / 1-bed local | £100-£300 | £250-£450 |
| 2-bed local | £280-£500 | £350-£600 |
| 3-bed local | £400-£700 | £500-£900 |
| 3-bed long distance | £600-£1,100 | £750-£1,400 |
The pattern is clear: AnyVan wins on small jobs, the gap closes fast as your move gets bigger. By the time you reach a 3-bed house, the price difference often doesn't justify the lower service level.
What You Gain with a Removal Company
- A pre-move survey so the quote matches reality - no day-of price surprises
- Goods-in-transit insurance, typically £50,000 standard cover
- Packing, dismantling and reassembly available as add-ons
- A dedicated crew that isn't squeezing your move between other jobs
- Accountability - one company, one contract, one complaints process
What You Gain with AnyVan
- Lower prices on small jobs - drivers fill empty space on routes they're already driving
- Instant online quotes without phone calls or surveys
- Speed - single items can often be moved within a day or two
- Good for awkward one-offs: eBay collections, single sofas, student moves
The Risks to Weigh Up
With marketplace platforms, service quality depends on the individual driver, not the brand. Common complaints include time-window slippage (your job is one stop on a multi-drop route), lower insurance limits, and variable handling care. Read recent reviews for the driver, not just the platform.
With removal companies, the main risk is overpaying if you don't shop around - quotes for identical moves routinely vary by 30-40%. Always get at least three quotes and check our guide on questions to ask removal companies.
Our Recommendation by Move Size
- Single item or a few boxes → AnyVan or a local man and van
- Studio or 1-bed → compare both; AnyVan often wins on price
- 2-bed → get quotes from both; decide on service vs saving
- 3-bed or larger → full removal company, almost always
- Anything with packing, storage or high-value items → full removal company
Before you request quotes from anyone, run your details through our moving cost calculator so you know what a fair price looks like - and see our guide to how to get removal quotes for the full process.