DIY versus removal company calculator

Compare the complete job you would undertake

A DIY move can look cheap when the comparison includes only a van's daily rate. The total also depends on how many hire days you need, every journey, equipment, parking, cover and available help. This tool compares those cash costs with a removal quote, then shows an optional value for your own time separately.

Start with the same load and access assumptions on both sides. If the removal quote includes packing but your DIY figure excludes packaging and preparation, the services are not yet equivalent. Make notes about jobs you would still perform under either option, such as decluttering, cleaning or supervising access, so they do not disappear from the decision.

How the arithmetic works

DIY cash cost is daily van hire × hire days, plus fuel for all journeys, travel charges, and equipment, cover and helper costs. The professional side uses the removal quote including your selected extras. The cash difference is DIY cost minus the company cost: a negative result means the entered DIY cash figure is lower.

The optional time figure is your DIY labour hours multiplied by a value per hour. It is added only to the separate DIY-with-time result. It does not create a bill or alter the cash comparison. Choose a value that helps your decision, or enter zero if you want to leave time unpriced.

The hours should describe the time you want valued consistently. For example, include van collection, loading, driving, unloading and return if these are part of your personal workload. The calculator does not discover those durations or add the hours of other helpers automatically.

Worked example: cash saving and time commitment

These are hypothetical costs, not current hire or removal offers. A van at £90 a day for two days costs £180. Add £55 fuel, £20 travel charges and £45 for equipment and other agreed costs. DIY cash spending is £300. A comparable professional quote is £650, so the cash difference is minus £350.

You expect 12 hours of your own work. At an optional £15 per hour, the time illustration is £180 and DIY with your time value becomes £480. The £350 cash saving still matters, but you can now see the work associated with it. If a third hire day becomes necessary, cash increases by £90 before any added fuel or helper charge.

Typical DIY costs people miss

Check the rental's mileage allowance, collection and return hours, deposit or payment hold, excess arrangements and additional-driver terms. A refundable vehicle deposit is a cash requirement to track in the moving budget, rather than an automatic expense in this comparison. Include a paid helper or equipment charge only once.

Use the fuel calculator for every driven leg and the van load planner to investigate whether one trip is plausible. Capacity and payload come from the actual vehicle documentation. In Great Britain, DVSA's van guidance explains why the loaded vehicle, occupants and load limits need checking. Confirm the appropriate rules and licence entitlement for your circumstances.

Make the practical decision

A lower total does not make unsuitable lifting or an unrealistic schedule workable. Consider stairs, heavy items, competent help, time off work and what happens if keys are delayed. Compare the supplier's actual handling responsibilities with what you can safely organise yourself. The DIY or professional removals guide helps turn the figures into a complete plan.

How to use this tool

1. Price the DIY arrangement. Enter the full number of hire days, fuel for every journey, travel charges and equipment or helper costs. Check the rental terms for charges missing from the headline price.

1. Enter an equivalent removal quote. Use a professional quote for the same load and selected services. Add confirmed extras before entering the total so both options represent a workable move.

1. Review money and effort. Compare cash totals, then optionally value your own time. Revisit the inputs if load capacity, helper availability or key-release timing requires an extra day or trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is the value of my time added to the cash budget?

No. It appears in a separate illustration. Unless you actually lose earnings or pay someone, a chosen hourly value is a decision aid rather than money leaving your bank account.

Where should I put a refundable van deposit?

Track it as a refundable deposit in the overall moving budget. It may affect cash availability, but counting the whole deposit as a DIY expense would misstate the cost if it is returned.

Does a cheaper DIY result mean I should hire a van?

No. The result compares entered costs. Vehicle suitability, safe handling, available helpers, responsibilities and timing still determine whether the option is practical for your move.