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.
Organising a household move
Where do you start with a house move? With a list. Go room by room and note everything that needs to travel, marking items that will be dismantled and those that go as they are. Set aside things you will keep with you, such as documents and valuables, so they never enter the van at all. Once the list is complete, you have a much clearer picture of the volume involved and can describe it accurately to the team. Mention anything unusually shaped or particularly heavy, since those items often determine which van makes sense. A written inventory also helps you check that everything has arrived at the new address.
Checking entrances and item dimensions
The measurements that matter are not only the ones you take of your furniture. Door frames, stairwells, tight corners and lift openings at both the old and new property decide what can be moved in one piece and what must be taken apart. Walk the route at each end with a tape measure and note any obstacles, including gates, railings or uneven ground described by the recipient. Compare these figures with the dimensions of your larger items and you will know early whether dismantling is needed. Sharing both sets of measurements with the team helps them confirm the right van for a move in or around Gretna, and avoids surprises on the day.
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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.