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.
Picking a suitable van
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.
Measuring bulky items before you enquire
Decide what is actually travelling in the van, then measure the largest items before you make contact. A wardrobe, a sofa or a chest freezer dictates the vehicle group more than anything else, so note the height, width and depth of each big piece, and remember that measurements taken in a hallway can look different when an item needs to travel upright. If anything can be dismantled, work out whether that is realistic given the time available and the tools you have. Pass these dimensions on when you enquire and the team can discuss which vehicles in their range would take them. Where an item is unusually shaped, describe it in your own words, since a plain description often says more than a single number.
Keeping a simple load inventory
A written inventory of everything going into the van pays for itself twice, first when you enquire and again on moving day. List the big furniture, then the boxes, then the awkward extras like lamps, bicycles or loose tools, and estimate how many of each you have. When you speak to the team, this list lets them picture the job properly rather than working from a rough guess. On the day itself, the inventory doubles as a checklist at the other end, so nothing is left behind in a driveway or a storage corridor. If the van is making more than one stop, mark which items belong where, and share the list with anyone receiving goods so they know what to expect when you arrive.
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Last checks 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.