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.
Recording Entrance and Item Measurements Early
Before you ring for a quote, walk the route your furniture will take through the house. Measure the widest and tallest points: the door frame, any hallway corner, the stair width and the gap at the top if items are going upstairs. Then measure the pieces themselves, including handles and any removable legs, and note which ones can be flat-packed to reduce their footprint. If something is going into storage rather than a new home, check the unit's opening too and jot down its internal size. Write all of these figures in one place so they are ready when you enquire, and mention any item that seems borderline. The team can only comment on van options if they have the measurements you have gathered.
Weighing Up One Trip Against Several
Should you plan one run or two? That depends on what you are moving, so it is worth sketching both options before committing. A single trip means listing everything at once and confirming the full load in one enquiry; separate runs let you split items between addresses or phases of the project, such as sending tools ahead one day and furniture the next. Note the dates you have in mind for each scenario, plus anything that must arrive by a particular day. If a helper is only free on one of those dates, record that constraint too. When you contact the team, lay out both versions and ask which van options they could quote for each. That way the comparison rests on real figures rather than guesswork.
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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.