FAQ’s
Man And Van London Light Removals Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I include the journey in my loading time allowance?
A: No, simply estimate the total combined minutes required to load at your departure point AND unload at your destination. Like a taxi, the system measure time and distance to provide prices. Please contact us if you need more advice.
Q: What does 'Driver Loading Assistance' actually mean?
A: The driver will help lift and carry your goods from inside the property to the removal van, and then into your destination address. We do not charge extra for stairs or longer walks between the property and the taxi van.
Q: Will you take my goods to any floor, and any room?
A: Yes, if you select ‘driver helping’ we put the goods wherever you want – any room or floor at no extra charge.
Q: Why don't you have hourly rate removals options?
A: Basically because they aren’t very fair! Many man and van removal companies in London charge a full hour if you only go over by a few minutes, and have 2 hour minimum bookings even if the job takes less than that. By only charging you for the actual time you needed a taxi van, it ‘s a more fair way to do it.
Q: How do I pay for my removal?
A: By card thoigh the driver app on completion of your taxi van removal. Invoicing is also possible by prior arrangement for corporate clients.
Q: Can I travel with the taxivan driver, and does it cost more?
A: Up to two passengers may travel with the taxi van and this does not affect the price in any way.
Q: Where are you based, and what areas do your taxi van removals cover?
A: We have removal taxi vans all over London and we cover the whole M25 area. We will also do nationwide taxi van removal runs which start or end in London.
Q: How much advance notice do you need for a removal booking?
A: Usually 1 day before is enough, but at weekends the earlier you book the better the chance of getting the exact time you require. However our new real-time system allows your to see live taxi van availability for on-demand man and van removals bookings.
Q: Are there any additional costs or charges for taxi van removals?
A: No, except if you go over your estimated load times or a parking fine is incurred. You do NOT pay extra for fuel, stairs, traffic jams, mileage, congestion charge, etc.
Q: What about parking the taxi van?
A: Our removal drivers will always try to park legally and close to your property, however ensuring adequate parking is the responsibility of the customer. As such we recommend that you either obtain permission from your council or reserve space outside your property- this will help keep the removal loading time to a minimum and avoid any parking fines. If a penalty charge is incurred we request immediate payment to the driver by the customer. The laws are (loosely) as follows- Double red lines usually means no stopping or loading ever, single reds may have loading bays or time restrictions, double and single yellows usually allow 20 minutes of loading provided the warden can see it taking place (unless there are curb markings/signs saying otherwise).
Q: What if I go over the Loading Time allowance I booked?
A: Overtime is charged for exact use – we do this to encourage realistic estimations and therefore ensure our next customers can be serviced on schedule. The removal driver is often able to predict if your taxivan load is likely to take longer than you booked, this should help calculate any possible overtime charges. For advice on estimating your removal please contact us.
Q: I've had a cheaper quote- will you beat it?
A: No, we do not price match. We are the only man and van removal company we know of who transparently show prices which are fully inclusive and instantly available online for anyone to view- there are no ‘hidden’ surcharges for things such as Goods In Transit insurance (many Man and Van removal companies do not have this, or charge extra to include it- your goods would be uninsured for breakage), mileage, fuel, tolls, traffic jams, extra boxes, stairs, congestion charge, VAT, etc. We are also the only man and van removal service we know of to offer an ‘on time’ taxivan guarantee. We price competitively for a professional high quality removal service and do not enter into ‘price wars’ which easily result in cutting corners to keep removal costs down!
Q: Am I charged for the the taxi van to get to my pick up address?
A: No. Price is calculated from your removal departure point to your removal destination point.
Q: When does my loading time allowance start and end?
A: It begins when we start loading the taxivan and stops upon receipt of payment, but DOES NOT get used during the journey.
Q: If I don't use all my time do I get a refund?
A: Our unique taxi van technology means you only get charged the exact time your man and van removal took, and you do not have to pay in advance – only once the taxi van removal is complete.
Q: Does my removal service quote include the London Congestion Charge?
A: Yes, our quoting system automatically flags any postcode within the CC Zone and factors it into your taxi van removal price.
Q: Do I have to give you a deposit?
A: No, but a card is required to place the removal booking. If you need to cancel your removal service, please do it AT LEAST 12 (twelve) hours before our due arrival to avoid charges. If done outside of the 12 hours you can cancel or amend your taxi van removal booking without charges.
Q: Can I pay by credit card?
A: Yes, we can accept all major credit/debit cards. We can also invoice for corporate removal or man and van taxi work, please contact us in advance to set up an account.
Q: Am I insured for breakages?
A: Yes, our vans are all fully comprehensively insured with additional ‘Hire and Reward’ cover which allows us to carry passengers, and we also have £10,000 Goods In Transit removals insurance plus £1,000,000 Public Liability insurance AS STANDARD. We can also arrange additional specific item insurance for you if you wish. Obviously we treat all items with great care, and our vans carry straps, blankets, tools and trollies for safety and protection.
Q: Do you have breakdown cover?
A: Yes, we have full cover with onward journey protection. This means even in the event of a breakdown the van would be towed to your destination with the load. Of course, all our vans are regularly serviced and carry spare wheels.
Q: Will you do clearances or take things to a Dump?
A: Our taxi vans are more for removals than tipping, so we are not licensed waste carriers, but the odd item of furniture or suchlike may be possible to recycle or dispose of- however councils normally charge a minimum of £45 for tipping. We can not take any toxic or loose waste, nor any badly soiled items or loads. Try one of the many waste disposal companies on Google or Yahoo.
Q: Can you do full house removals?
A: It is possible but obviously we are limited by the size of our taxi vans- we mainly do light moves in urban areas, eg. 1 or 2 bed flats or furniture delivery. We are essentially a goods taxi service rather than a full removals company! However we can always bring more than one man with a van, which will almost certainly still be cheaper than a full removal.
Q: What about longer runs?
A: We are happy to do longer taxi van runs, but they must either start or end in the London/M25 area. Please check the instant quote page for a price.
Q: How will I know you are definately coming?
A: Apart from your removal confirmation email we will also contact you the day before your taxi van booking, and then again as we approach your pick up time on the day, and you will get live tracking for your taxi van as your man and van approaches the removal pickup.
Q: What if you are late?
A: Our unique taxi van removal technology will factor most eventualities into our moving schedules, such as traffic jams and overunning removal jobs, but sometimes delays are inevitable. However we take punctuality very seriously, and to this end if a taxi van is ever more than 60 minutes late we will give you a 10% reduction of your removal fee even if it is entirely beyond our control. Please check the ‘Our Guarantees’ link on the top bar.
Q: Will you unplumb my dishwasher, wahing machine or cooker?
A: We will always try to assist your removal in whichever way we can – however we generally cannot tamper with plumbing, electrics or gas fittings. Exceptions can sometimes be made if requested by the customer for a simple unscrewing of a washing machine/dishwasher water pipe from a mains tap, but the customer must first switch off the water and indemnitfy ourselves, by signature, from any damage to appliance or property that might be caused by a leaking seal etc. In truth we prefer that you have this done before we arrive!
Q: What about removing doors or windows to fit my sofa through?
A: Again, we always try to help get a taxi van removal completed, but cannot promise that this is possible or advised until your taxi van has arrived and the removal assessed. If you have not fully measured and ensured your goods will fit through gaps, and you require us to unscrew a door from its hinges for example, we will assess the feasibility, inform you of our opinion and ask for a signature disclaimer should you wish us to proceed.
Q: How big are your taxi vans?
A: We use Extra Long Wheel Base High Roof vehicles for our ‘Man and Van’ removals service. In real terms this roughly means they can fit a double bed, a wardrobe or two, a sofa, kitchen table and chairs, TV, computer, table/chairs and plenty of large boxes and bags in one load. They can also seat 2 passengers in the taxi van with the driver. We find this sized van to be ideal for urban removals. Details here.
Q: Should I tip the removal driver?
A: If they have exceeded your expectations, then feel free! You are under absolutely no obligation to do so, and should in no way feel pressured to.