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.
Measuring Bulky Items Before You Enquire
The first decision to make is which items actually need to travel in the van, and the next is to measure them properly. Take height, width and depth for each large piece, from wardrobes and sofas to workbenches and palletised stock, and write the figures against a named list rather than keeping them in your head. Note whether furniture will be dismantled and, if so, whether that reduces the dimensions you record. Measure anything with protruding parts separately, including handles, feet and attached frames. If an item is currently in a shed, loft or storage unit, check you can note its size accurately before the hire date. Supplying these measurements when you ask about a vehicle gives the team something concrete to work from and leaves fewer questions open.
Keeping a Clear Load Inventory
Alongside measurements, maintain a running inventory of everything destined for the van. Group items by room, job or delivery address, and note quantities for anything repeated, such as fifteen boxes of files or six lengths of timber. Mark which items are fragile, which belong to a customer rather than you, and which must arrive at a specific time. If the load is split across several collections or drops, record the order you expect to complete them and the contact details for each recipient. Keep the list somewhere you can update it, since plans often change between booking and the hire date. Sharing the finished inventory with the team, including any items you are unsure about, keeps the conversation about vehicle options grounded in what you genuinely need to move.
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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.