Hello all!
I am moving to costa del sol in june. I have just talked to a 'man with a van'
to take my possessions there. Does anybody know how much the cost of diesel would be there and back? I live in Manchester. The van has got a 2 liter engine. What would you think the right amount to charge him would be?

many thanks, kicki

No idea where you are leaving from, or to where exactly, but if you put your details in http://www.viamichelin.co.uk it'll give you distance and costs. I just put in London=Marbella for a car and it gives the following details. It's something to work on.

Costs 207.51 GBP
Toll 61.45 GBP | Petrol 139.59 GBP | Road tax 6.46 GBP
Time
22h12 wich 20h06 on motorways
Distance
1401 mi wich 1353 mi on motorways

Unless you have really good insurance that will cover any losses with your move, I would get his insurance details and policy number up front and check that he is reputable. Never believe the flashy websites or happy customer comments, the're not likely to post dissatisfied customer comments are they.

Number all your boxes and keep a note of what is in them, do not put jewellery, pc's or anything of personal value in the van, put them into the car with you.

You should look to estimate about £300 minimum each way, depending on which way you are going, but fuel is slightly cheaper in Spain.

Good luck with the move and I hope everything arrives.

If your possessions can be fitted in the normal van of a 'man with a van' you can't have too much. If that's the case then I would say you are better off getting space in a truck that does regular routes from the UK to Spain. That way the fuel costs and other expenses like the ferry are spread.

As Jay01 said it will be a minimum of 600 quid there and back, and that is with no profit for a week's work for the driver. If there are two of them then that will be several hundred extra at least.

I had lots of stuff in storage in Guildford that I had brought to Nerja (after wasting 2 years of expense) and it cost me 500 pounds for 250 cubic feet in a shared lorry. The company was fully insured, had good reviews, took precise inventories even though I was here and they were in the UK, and they delivered.

Search Google for removal firms Malaga (or wherever you are going) to Uk and then research the results. Then ring them and see how they make you feel on the phone. I am sure it is a better option than a man with a van.

why are you going to charge him,
i would have thought you would have to pay him.

HI Jay, many thanks for your good advice. As you seem to know what you are talking about; Does the driver need any paperwork from me when he arrives in Spain? Kind regards, kicki

Pardon me for saying but you seem to have a very casual approach to this subject.
HE is supposed to give you a price...surely.
It is not just the fuel, you have ferry crossing, which one is he using, Toll charges in France and then spain can be 300€. Then you are paying for his return journey.
I have to say I'm confused as to why you are doing it this way, maybe I've missed something.
As has been said get a part load it will be tons cheaper,believe me.

Well that all depends on the size of the van, but as has been pointed out it would be very strange for you to charge them or even offer to make a payment, to me personally it sounds more like you are a man with the van and you are trying to use us to cost a potential job offer, maybe I am way off here but the questions you are asking seem more probing than just general how much should I be charged!.

As for knowing what I am talking about it is purely through a really bad experience and a very hard and expensive lesson learned but that is on a different thread, look it up.

Hi, in my 2.4 lwb transit (diesel) it takes 3 tanks of fuel to reach the costa del sol, so thats 3 x 70ltrs x pump price = cost (double it to include return).
If traveling from manchester i would add another tank full to be on safe side as my estimate is from london, currently sea france are chargeing £80 each way for a van.
It is possible to avoid the toll's without adding to much to time/distance, travelling from manchester your looking at (give or take) 25+ hours driving time, not including toilet/refuling stops.
So unless there is a second driver i would allow a bit more time.

Note: eurotunnel will charge frieght rates, regardless of the size of van (£178 each way !!) if you take more goods than will fit in an estate car, even if there your own goods !!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT USEFUL INFORMATION:
GLAD TO HEAR FROM SOMEBODY NICE!!

Just goes to show Kicki that among all the manic depressives there is always one or two helpful souls.