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
How much of the house is actually moving? Work through each room and list everything that needs to go, from the largest furniture down to the final boxes, so you can describe the load accurately when you enquire. Contact the recipient or the new property early to agree when the van can arrive, where it can park and how the unloading will run. If friends are helping, agree who is responsible for each stage, from packing at the old address to unpacking at the new one. Note any items that need particular care, such as mirrors or appliances, and mention them in your enquiry so the team understands the job. A written plan of the day, shared with everyone involved, keeps the move on schedule.
Keeping a load inventory
A simple written inventory is the most useful thing you can prepare before hiring a van. List each item or box with a short description, and mark anything fragile so it can be identified quickly at both ends of the journey. This record helps you describe the load precisely when you contact the team, and it gives you something to check against when you unload. If items are going to more than one address, group the list by destination and tell the recipient at each stop what to expect. Keep a copy on your phone as well as on paper in case one is misplaced. An inventory also makes it easier to spot if anything has been left behind at the collection point.
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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.