Moving house is expensive enough without buying a pile of equipment you'll use for one weekend and never touch again. A sack trolley, furniture blankets, a drill for taking beds apart — all genuinely useful on moving day, all pointless to own.
So rent them. Here's the kit that actually earns its keep on a UK move in 2026, what it costs, and how to do the whole thing for less.
The short answer
The smartest things to rent for a move are a van, a sack trolley, furniture blankets, and a drill or tool kit for dismantling and reassembling furniture. Renting this lot locally costs a fraction of buying it — and a fraction of a full removals firm.
| What to rent | Why it helps | Typical UK rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Van (self-drive) | Avoids multiple car trips | £40–£90 per day |
| Sack trolley / hand truck | Saves your back on heavy items | £5–£12 per day |
| Furniture dolly (wheeled) | Move wardrobes and sofas easily | £5–£12 per day |
| Furniture blankets / straps | Protect items in transit | £1–£3 per item |
| Power drill / tool kit | Dismantle and rebuild furniture | £8–£20 per day |
The kit that actually matters on moving day
A van
Unless you're moving a studio flat's worth of boxes, a van saves you a dozen exhausting car runs. A self-drive van hire is the cheapest way to move if you've got willing hands to help. If you'd rather not drive a big vehicle, you can also book a local "man with a van" through Rentify's services instead.
A sack trolley and a furniture dolly
These two are the difference between a smooth move and a trip to the physio. A sack trolley handles stacked boxes and appliances; a wheeled furniture dolly lets one person shift a wardrobe that would otherwise take three. Cheap to rent, worth every penny.
Furniture blankets and straps
Scuffed furniture and dinged door frames are the hidden cost of a rushed move. A handful of moving blankets and a couple of ratchet straps keep everything protected in the van — far cheaper than repairing a damaged sideboard.
A drill or tool kit
Flat-pack furniture rarely survives a move in one piece. A cordless drill and a basic tool kit make dismantling beds, wardrobes and desks quick, and rebuilding them at the other end painless.
What it might cost — a worked example
A typical two-bed move where you do the lifting yourself might rent:
- Self-drive van for the day: £65
- Sack trolley: £8
- Furniture dolly: £8
- 6 furniture blankets at £2: £12
- Drill and tool kit: £12
That's around £105 for the day's kit — against a full removals company, which for a two-bed move in the UK often runs £400–£800+. Doing the lifting yourself with the right rented equipment is the budget option by a wide margin, and you only pay for the gear for the day you need it.
How to keep your moving costs down
- Book the van early. Month-end and Fridays are the busiest moving slots — the popular dates go first.
- Rent the small kit locally. A trolley, blankets and a drill from a neighbour cost less than a hire-depot rate and skip the cross-town trip. That's what Rentify is built for.
- Source boxes for free. Supermarkets and local "freecycle" groups give boxes away — no need to buy them.
- Do one big trip, not five small ones. Load the van properly with the trolley and dolly and you'll likely manage it in a single run.
- Protect as you go. Blankets and straps save you far more in avoided damage than they cost to rent.
Moving on? Rent your own kit out afterwards
If you own a sack trolley, moving blankets or a good drill, they're prime candidates to rent out once your own move is done. Moving gear is in steady demand — someone in your area is moving house most weekends — and it's exactly the sort of thing people would rather borrow than buy.
See the realistic numbers in How Much Can You Earn Renting Out Your Stuff, then list an item in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to move house in the UK?
Doing the lifting yourself with rented kit is usually the cheapest route. A self-drive van plus a trolley, blankets and a drill costs roughly £100 for the day, against £400–£800+ for a full removals firm on a two-bed move.
What equipment do I need to move house?
The most useful items are a van, a sack trolley and furniture dolly for heavy lifting, furniture blankets and straps to protect things in transit, and a drill or tool kit for dismantling and rebuilding furniture.
Should I hire a removals company or do it myself?
Do it yourself with rented gear if you have help and want to save money. Hire a removals company (or a local man with a van) for bigger homes, tight timescales, or if you'd rather not do the heavy lifting.
How much does it cost to rent a sack trolley or furniture dolly?
In 2026, expect around £5–£12 per day each. Renting both locally from someone nearby is usually cheaper than a national hire depot and saves the collection trip.
Where can I rent moving equipment near me?
You can hire from tool-hire chains, but renting locally from people nearby is usually cheaper and more flexible. Browse moving and lifting gear to rent on Rentify, or book a local mover in the services section.
The bottom line
A good move isn't about owning equipment — it's about having the right kit for one day and protecting your stuff (and your back) while you use it. Rent the van, the trolley, the blankets and the drill, get it done, and hand it all back.
Moving soon? Find moving and lifting gear to rent near you →