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.
Writing a load inventory
The first thing to write down is a full list of what is going into the van. An inventory sounds like a chore, but it answers most of the questions that come up later, from which vehicle size to arrange to how many trips the day will need. Go room by room for a house move, or item by item for a collection or delivery, and note anything unusually large or awkward rather than lumping it under a general heading. Where you can, jot down rough dimensions for the biggest pieces, because a handful of measurements is worth more than a guess. Keep the list somewhere you can add to it, since forgotten items have a habit of surfacing in the days before the move.
Measuring before you commit
Alongside the list of items, record the dimensions that could stand in the way of the job running smoothly. Measure the largest items you plan to move, then measure the spaces they must pass through at both ends, including doorways, hallways and any tight turns on the route in or out of a building. Note gates, lanes or parking arrangements at each address as well, since access at the property is part of the same picture. Write each measurement down as you take it, with a note of which gap or item it refers to, because numbers held in the head tend to blur together. If something genuinely will not fit through a particular opening, the measurements tell you in advance rather than mid-job, giving you time to reconsider how the item travels or whether it goes at all.
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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.