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.
Planning a collection with a seller
If you are collecting an item from a private seller, the arrangements you make beforehand shape the whole trip. Ask the seller for the full address, a phone number and the hours they will be around, then agree a rough arrival window rather than a single time. Find out whether the item is in a house, garage or outbuilding, and note any steps, gates or narrow passages along the route from where it sits to where the van will park. If someone else is meeting you there, record their name and contact details too. It is also worth asking whether the item comes apart, since that changes what you write on your list of dimensions. Sharing the collection address and timing with the team alongside your dates lets any open questions surface while there is still time to sort them.
Measuring entrances and items
Before requesting a quote, it helps to note down the size of everything you plan to carry. Measure each item's length, width and height at its tallest point, and if a wardrobe or desk has legs, handles or an attached top, include those in the figures. Then think about the spaces the items must pass through: doorways, corridors, stairwells and garden gates all have their own limits, and a tape measure is all you need to record them. If a lift is involved at either end, note its interior measurements as well. Write the numbers next to each item on your list rather than keeping them in your head, and flag anything you are unsure about as a question rather than a guess. The team can then discuss the list with you and confirm which van options suit the job.
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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.