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.
Picking a suitable van
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 on the Day
Who is giving you a hand, and when are they free? Before the hire date arrives, make a list of everyone who has offered to help with the move, collection or delivery, noting the hours each person can commit and any periods when they are unavailable. If helpers are needed at more than one address, record which person belongs to which location so nobody turns up at the wrong end of the job. Where a recipient is expecting goods, add their contact details and any timing they have agreed. You might also note the item list and dimensions in the same place, so a helper who asks what is being moved can be told immediately. Once the rota is clear, you can confirm with the team how the hire period lines up with the hours people have offered, and flag any questions about vehicle suitability while you are at it.
Allowing Time for Packing and Loading
How long should the whole job realistically take? Rather than guessing, map out the day in blocks, from the moment the van is collected or delivered to the point it is handed back. Allocate separate windows for wrapping and protecting items, dismantling anything that comes apart, travelling between addresses and completing paperwork at a storage site or recipient's door. If some collections depend on other people being present, note their availability and contact numbers alongside each block. It can be worth marking which tasks could be dropped or rescheduled if the day runs long, so you have a ready-made fallback. Once the timetable exists, compare it with your hire dates and raise any gaps with the team, including questions about extending the period or adjusting collection arrangements if the schedule needs room to breathe.
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Last checks 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.