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.
Coordinating Helpers for the Day
Who else needs to be there when the van arrives? That question is worth answering before you confirm any dates, because helper availability often narrows the choice more than the job itself. Make a note of who is free, when they can start and how long they can stay, then build the hire period around the most realistic window rather than a best-case one. If helpers are only available in the morning, an early start date may need adjusting; if one person can only join for an hour, plan the schedule so their time lines up with the part of the job that needs them. You might also record contact numbers for each helper, so a delay on the day can be passed on quickly, and ask the team whether extending the hire by a few hours is possible if the schedule slips.
Measuring Bulky Items in Advance
Before requesting a quote, walk around the items you intend to carry and write down the three main measurements for each: length, width and height at the widest point. Sofas, wardrobes, chests of drawers and mattresses often measure differently once you account for arms, frames or protruding handles, so note the largest figure rather than the showroom one. If anything comes apart, such as a bed frame or a shelving unit, record both the assembled and the flat-packed dimensions, along with whether you have the tools and fixings to take it to pieces. Adding a rough count of boxes, bags and loose items gives the team a fuller picture. You can then ask which van size they would suggest for that list and whether any single item needs a particular vehicle from the range.
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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.