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.
Measuring Bulky Items Before You Book
The first decision worth making is which items genuinely count as bulky, so walk through the house, workshop or storage area and set aside anything oversized, from settees and mattresses to workbenches and palletised stock. Measure each one and record the length, width and height in the same unit throughout. Note whether items come apart, and if so, the size of the largest resulting piece. Photographing awkward shapes can help when describing them later. Add the hire dates and the destination address to the same sheet, along with a contact number there. The questions that remain open usually concern vehicle choice, such as which options are worth discussing for the list, and anything the access details raise for you, all of which can be raised with the team when enquiring.
Noting Entrances and Access Along the Route
Access is often a matter of recording details rather than guessing, so note the width and height of doorways, gates, arches and corridors at the collection address, and do the same at the destination if the person there can supply measurements. Ask the destination contact about parking, turning space and any restrictions they know of, and write their answers down alongside a name and number for the day. If storage units are involved, note their opening hours and any height barriers mentioned by the site. Mark which items are oversized on the same list so the two sets of notes sit together. Open questions for the team might include which vehicle options are worth discussing given the access described, and whether anything in the arrangements affects the dates requested.
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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.