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.
Fitting the van to your route
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.
Recording What Goes Where
If you have ever stood in front of a half-packed room wondering where to begin, you will know the value of a written plan. Rather than working from memory, list every item you intend to move and note which room or site each one belongs to at the far end. Add measurements for the larger pieces and a note of any parts that come apart, since this information helps the team suggest a suitable vehicle. You might also record the order in which items are needed after arrival, so the things wanted first are easy to describe over the phone. Keep the list on paper or in a note on your phone, and update it if plans shift. A clear record answers questions before they arise and gives you something to refer back to afterwards.
One Trip or Several: Weighing It Up
Should you move everything in a single outing or spread the work across two? If your dates allow more than one session, it may be worth listing what could travel together and what genuinely needs its own run. Ask yourself whether any items have fixed collection windows, whether someone must be present to receive them, and whether the total volume looks closer to one load or two. When you request a quote, mention the option you are considering, along with the hire dates and the items involved, so the team can respond to both possibilities. It also helps to note any deadlines, such as a handover of keys or a storage unit cut-off, that shape the schedule. Whichever route you take, the decision rests on your own list, not guesswork.
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What to confirm on the phone
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.