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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Getting a Business Delivery Ready
If a delivery forms part of your hire, start by listing each item destined for each customer, along with the quantity of every line and the name and phone number of the person receiving the goods. Note the opening hours you have been given at each drop-off point and any reference numbers supplied with the order, since these details often need to be quoted on arrival. Where an item has an awkward shape, recording its dimensions helps the team understand what space might be involved without guessing. You may also want to write down the order in which deliveries are scheduled, purely as a record of your own plan, and keep a copy of that schedule to hand.
Keeping a Load Inventory
An inventory written before the hire begins saves a good deal of note-taking later, and it can be as simple as a numbered list with brief descriptions. For each entry, record the item, how many there are, and any measurements you have taken, particularly for furniture or boxed goods where size influences which van is quoted. If some things belong to different people or are headed to separate addresses, mark that against each line so the list stays useful as a working document. Photographs of unusual items can supplement the written record, giving you something to compare against when everything is accounted for afterwards. Questions you might still need to ask include whether the inventory should be shared with the team in advance and whether the access arrangements you have described affect the van types that can be considered, since these points can influence the recommendation you receive.
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Things to check 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.