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 Bulky Item Measurements
Begin with a notebook and a tape measure rather than a guess, because the figures you record will drive the rest of your enquiry. Work through each bulky item in turn, writing down its three dimensions and, where relevant, whether it comes apart into smaller pieces. A wardrobe that separates into two halves, for instance, should be measured as two entries. Note any items with unusual projections, such as legs, handles or attached brackets, and record the widest point rather than the narrowest. Alongside the measurements, keep a count of smaller boxes and bags so the full load is visible on one page. With this information ready, you can ask the team which van would suit the job and whether any measurement raises a question worth checking before you commit to dates.
Checking Entrances and Item Sizes Together
Measurements of the load only tell half the story, so the other half concerns the spaces it must pass through. At the collection end, note the width and height of doorways, corridors, stairwells and any lifts involved, and mark anything that looks tight against your item dimensions. At the destination, the same questions apply, and they belong with whoever controls that property: ring them, ask for their entrance measurements, and record their answers alongside your own. If items must be dismantled to pass through a gap, note that beside the relevant entry. These records give you a clear basis for discussing access arrangements with the team when you request a quote, and they flag any gaps in your information while there is still time to fill them.
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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.