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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Building a Load List Before You Book
Before asking for a quote, set out on paper everything the van will need to carry, item by item, rather than working from a rough guess. Record quantities for repeated things such as boxes, crates or bags of rubble, and take measurements of the bulkiest pieces, including wardrobes, mattresses, ladders or workbenches. Note whether anything dismantles and whether you plan to take it apart before the hire begins. If furniture is being collected from a shop, a seller or a house clearance, add that person's name and phone number to the list so arrangements can be confirmed in one go. Photographs of awkward items are worth attaching. Send the finished inventory with your dates and access details, and keep a copy for the day.
Scheduling Enough Time Around Your Dates
When you come to fix the hire dates, think beyond the journey itself and note how many hours or days each stage of the job might need. If you are emptying a flat, clearing a garage or collecting furniture from several addresses, write down the time you expect each stage to take and whether an overnight or weekend hire would give you room to work at a steadier pace. Record any fixed windows, such as a shop's collection hours or a storage unit's closing time, and the phone numbers of anyone you must coordinate with. When you request your quote, you can also ask how extensions or earlier starts are handled, so you know what to do if a stage overruns.
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Things to check before booking
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.