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.
Listing your boxed belongings first
Start by writing down every box you expect to move, with a note of which room it belongs to. That list does two jobs: it helps the hire team match the job to a suitable vehicle, and it gives you a checklist for both loading and unloading. Group the boxes by destination if some are going to storage and others to a new address, and keep the groups visible with labels rather than memory. Estimate the total roughly in terms of how many boxes you can carry at once, which gives a better sense of scale than a bare number. Share the estimate when you enquire, along with the dates and how access works at each end. Ask the receiving contact where boxes should be placed on arrival.
Measuring bulky items before you enquire
Large pieces are where measurements matter most. Take a tape to the wardrobes, sofas, appliances and any flat-pack furniture on your list and record the height, width and depth of each. Note whether anything comes apart, and if it does, whether you have the tools and time to do it on the day. These figures let the hire team judge which vehicle the job needs far more accurately than a description like 'a big wardrobe'. Also check the doorways, stairwells and corridors at both ends, since an item that fits the van still has to reach the room it is destined for. If a measurement looks tight, say so when you make your enquiry so the team can talk through the options with you.
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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.