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.
Setting Aside Time for Packing Days
Write down your intended timeline before the hire begins, noting when packing starts, when items need to be ready and when the van is due for collection or delivery. If a move or a storage run is spread across several days, record which rooms or jobs belong to each stage so nothing is left undecided. Mark any fixed appointments that limit your working hours, and note whether one hire period covers everything or whether separate dates suit different jobs, such as a furniture collection one week and a trade delivery the next. When you contact the team, share the dates you have in mind and ask which van classes are offered for them, mentioning the stages of the plan you have written out.
Keeping a Load Inventory for Your Records
Before the hire, compile a written inventory of everything going to the new place or to the job, organised room by room or job by job. For a house move, list furniture, boxes, appliances and fragile items separately; for a trade job, note tools, materials and equipment by type and quantity. Record the number of boxes, bags and loose pieces, and mark anything that needs particular attention on arrival, such as documents, keys or electronics. An inventory helps you answer the team's questions about what you need to carry, and it gives you a reference point when confirming the access arrangements at both ends. Keep the list to hand throughout the hire period, and mention any helpers travelling with you when you request a quote.
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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.