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.
Keeping a Written Load Inventory
Start by writing down everything you plan to move, however ordinary the items seem. A simple list might include two wardrobes, six boxes of kitchenware, a bicycle and a rolled rug, each with a note of its rough dimensions. Recording length, width and height for the larger pieces gives the team something concrete to work from when discussing vehicle options, and it helps you spot anything you had forgotten, such as loft contents or garden tools. If some items could be dismantled, note that too, along with whether you have the tools and fittings to do it. Photographing awkward pieces can clarify shape where numbers alone do not. An inventory also lets you tick items off as plans change, which keeps the conversation with the hire team straightforward.
Planning an Order That Suits the Day
Before you book, it is worth sketching how you would like the day to run, including where each batch of items is heading. If some belongings are going to a storage unit and others to a relative's address, write down both drop-off points and a contact name and phone number for each, so nobody is guessing on the day. Consider which items you will want immediate access to once the van is emptied, and note any destination questions you still need to ask, such as opening hours or parking arrangements, since those answers sit with the site rather than the hire team. You might also decide whether the whole move happens on one date or splits across two. Sharing this outline when you request a quote lets the team respond to your actual plan rather than a rough guess.
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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.