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.
Recording what goes into the van
If you are moving a mix of furniture and boxes, it can help to write down each item before you ring for a quote. Note what the load includes, roughly how many boxes there are, and whether any pieces come apart. A simple list, kept on your phone or on paper, gives the hire team a clearer sense of the job than a rough guess, and it lets you ask which vehicle option they would consider suitable. You might also record which items matter most to you and whether anything needs particular care. If some pieces are still undecided, mark them as such; the team can then talk through the options with you rather than working from incomplete information, and you can refine the list as plans firm up.
Thinking through the order of work
Suppose your day involves collecting furniture from one address and dropping it at another before a final stop at a storage unit. Sketching that sequence on paper, with the times you expect to be at each point, helps you see which questions still need answering. Note which address has someone available to hand over keys, and record contact numbers for the people at each stop so you have them ready if plans move during the day. If the order of stops might change, write down both possibilities. Sharing this outline with the hire team when you ask about dates lets them consider the timing alongside the vehicle choice, and it gives you a clear record to work from as the day takes shape.
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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.