Sizing a van around what you are moving
List the largest items with rough length, width and height, and give an estimate of total weight, because bulk and payload limit a van in different ways. Mention anything awkward, such as a wardrobe that cannot be dismantled or long timber. Describe loading at both ends, including stairs, lift access, distance from the kerb and whether anyone will help lift.
Picking a suitable van
Start with the load, then choose the van. A small van works well for boxes, tools and light collections; medium and long-wheelbase vans suit furniture, stock and trade equipment; and a Luton is the better choice for bulkier items on a house move. Subject to dates, driver details and availability, the range includes the Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Transit SWB, VW Transporter Automatic, Ford Transit MWB and Ford Transit LWB. Make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are all confirmed at quote stage, so treat these vehicles as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Planning Which Items You Will Need First
If the items you need first are buried at the back of the load, a written note made before collection day can spare you some head-scratching later. Jot down which pieces are wanted immediately at the destination — tools, kettle, paperwork — and which can stay boxed until later in the week. Give every large item a label showing its destination room, and note who will be there to receive it if the address is not your own. If furniture will be dismantled for the trip, record which fittings belong to which piece and where the bags of screws will be kept. This is simply a record to consult on arrival, not a loading plan, and sharing it with helpers keeps everyone working from the same page.
Measuring Items and Entrances Before You Book
Suppose a wardrobe measures wider than the doorway it is meant to pass through — the sooner you know, the more options you have. Before requesting a quote, measure the length, width and height of the largest pieces, including any protruding handles or feet, and write the figures next to each item on your list. Then think about the far end: doorways, corridors, stairwells and lift openings at the destination are all worth measuring if you can, and questions about access at an address you do not control are best put to whoever is based there. Ask the hire team which vehicles could suit the dimensions you have recorded, and flag anything awkward, such as a sofa that will not corner. These figures give the team something to work with.
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Last checks before booking
Before the hire is confirmed, go over the key points: whether the vehicle is available, the driver requirements, mileage, insurance, the delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for. Make sure payload, loading height, tail-lift needs, driver details, deposits and insurance excess are confirmed before you settle on a van size. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, a rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the passengers or load you expect and any special requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.