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.
Getting a delivery ready to quote
If a business delivery is on the cards, a short written brief keeps the quote request straightforward. Start with the dates and times you expect the van to be in use, then list what is going out: the number of items, their approximate dimensions and any packaging they arrive in. Note the delivery address, the name of the person receiving the goods and a phone number for them, since the recipient often holds the answers about access, opening hours or where the handover should happen. When you contact the team, share the brief and ask which vehicle options are worth discussing for the load and working pattern you have described, along with whether collection or delivery of the van suits your day.
Listing boxed belongings for a move
Should the job be a house move involving boxed belongings, the same preparation applies in a slightly different form. Count the boxes, note roughly how large each one is and flag anything unusually shaped, such as rolled carpets, flat-pack panels or lampshades that resist tidy categorisation. Write down the collection address, the drop-off address and the date you have in mind, plus a contact at each end if someone else will be present. Where items are destined for storage rather than a new home, mention that too, since the timing may differ from a straightforward move. When you contact the team, describe the full list and dates, and ask which van options they would talk through for the job you have outlined.
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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.