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.
Choosing Between One Trip and Several
The first choice to pin down is whether the job is one run in a larger van or several runs in something smaller. To decide, list every item with its rough dimensions, note any destination that only accepts deliveries at certain times, and record a contact name and number at the receiving end. If a second trip is possible, mark which items would travel on it and which date each leg would need, since the hire period on the booking has to cover them all. It is also worth asking the team how the van sizes differ in capacity terms before you commit. Once those notes are together, the choice between one trip and several becomes a question you can settle with the quote in front of you.
Scheduling Enough Time Around the Van
Decide early how many hours the whole job needs, not just the drive itself. If you are collecting furniture, allow a slot for the seller to be at home; if goods are going into storage, note the site's opening hours and the name of whoever signs for them. Write down the hire start time, the expected finish, and a buffer for anything that runs late, then compare that against the dates you give the team. You might ask whether extending by a few hours is possible if the job overruns, and what notice would be needed. Keeping the timetable and the contact details on one sheet means that when you request the van, every question about timing can be answered at once rather than through follow-up messages.
Explore other van hire areas
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.