Starting a man and van business is one of the cheapest ways into working for yourself. You probably already have the main tool: the van. Here's the practical run-through.

The van

You don't need anything fancy to begin. A clean, reliable medium wheelbase or Luton van covers most jobs. What matters more than the badge is that it starts every morning and doesn't leak. Blankets, straps and a sack truck are cheap and make you look — and work — like a pro.

Get registered

In the UK you'll register as self-employed with HMRC (a sole trader is the simplest way to start). It takes a few minutes online. Keep every receipt — diesel, insurance, blankets — because they come off your tax bill.

The insurance you'll need

This is where people cut corners and regret it. At minimum you'll want:

• Goods in transit — covers the customer's stuff while it's in your van.
• Hire and reward / courier insurance — normal van insurance won't cover you for carrying other people's goods for money. You need the right class of use.
• Public liability — covers you if you damage a property or someone gets hurt.

Talk to a broker who knows commercial cover. It costs more than standard van insurance for a reason.

Your first customers

You don't need a website on day one. You need:

• A way to take a booking and look legitimate — a simple page with your prices and reviews does the job.
• A few reviews, even from friends and family you've helped move.
• A price you can quote fast.

Free tools like Vanzy give you the booking page, the quoting and the getting-paid side without a monthly bill, so your first job's profit is actually profit.

Sole trader or limited company?

Most people start as a sole trader — it's the simplest, cheapest way in, you register in minutes, and your accounts are straightforward. The trade-off is that you're personally liable for the business's debts. A limited company separates you from the business and can be more tax-efficient once you're earning well, but it's more admin and cost. The usual path: start as a sole trader, switch to a limited company later if the numbers say so. If in doubt, a quick chat with an accountant pays for itself.

What it actually costs to start

Assuming you already have a van, the real start-up costs are smaller than people fear:

• Insurance — the biggest line; the right commercial cover (see above) costs more than a private policy.
• Kit — blankets, straps, a sack truck and a dolly: a few hundred pounds, and it pays for itself in fewer damages and faster jobs.
• The basics — fuel, a clean phone number, maybe a magnetic van sign.

You don't need an office, a website, or expensive software. Free tools cover the booking, quoting and getting-paid side, so your overheads stay near zero while you build up.

Kit that pays for itself

The gear separates the pros from the chancers: moving blankets (stop scratches and damage claims), ratchet straps (nothing shifts in transit), a sack truck and a dolly (save your back and halve the time on heavy items). Customers notice when you arrive properly equipped — it's the difference between "a man with a van" and "a professional".

Common mistakes new drivers make

• Undercharging — forgetting the return leg, no call-out minimum, saying yes to jobs that lose money.
• Skimping on insurance — the one that ends businesses when a claim gets refused.
• Being slow to quote — the job goes to whoever answers first with a firm price.
• Living on the apps — handy at first, but every job costs you a cut and the customer never becomes yours.

Then just do good work

The whole trade runs on word of mouth. Turn up when you said, handle things carefully, be straight about the price. Do that ten times and you'll have more work than you can handle — and none of it costing you a platform fee.