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 Business Delivery Ready
If a delivery is part of your working week, the paperwork you prepare before requesting a quote can make the conversation far more productive. Start with a manifest: what is going out, how many of each item, and the approximate dimensions of the largest pieces. Add the recipient's name, phone number and any delivery window they have agreed, plus notes on whether they expect to accept the goods themselves or whether someone else will sign. Where access is involved, record what you know about gates, narrow lanes or height restrictions at the far end, since the team can only advise on what you tell them. Useful questions include which van options suit the load you have described and whether the dates you have chosen line up with the availability of those options.
Planning a Household Move
For a house move, the first job is an honest inventory written in plain terms: room by room, note the furniture, boxes and loose items, along with rough measurements for anything with an awkward shape. Alongside that, list the helpers you expect on the day and the hours they can commit, plus the access arrangements at both ends, including where a van could stand and any permits or keys that might be needed. If some items are heading to storage rather than the new address, mark those separately so the route and timing can be discussed. When you contact the team, share the inventory and the access details, and say which dates are fixed and which could move, so the options can be talked through for your particular job.
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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.