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 Entrances and Your Largest Items
What are the measurements of the largest item on your list? Answering that single question early shapes the rest of your preparation. Record the length, width and height of every bulky piece, from wardrobes to workbenches, and set these beside the dimensions of any doors, gates, corridors or stairwells at both ends of the journey. Where a recipient is accepting goods, ask them directly for their entrance measurements and note who to call on the day. Keep the figures with your hire dates and address list so everything sits together in one note. If an item exceeds a doorway, the recipient decides how to respond, whether that means another entrance or a different plan. Exact numbers also make your quote request easier for the team to act on.
Coordinating Helpers for the Day
If friends have offered to help on the day, a little coordination turns goodwill into a workable plan. Note who is available, at which address, and during which hours, then share the schedule so each person knows where they should be and when. Record contact numbers for everyone involved, including anyone meeting you at a collection point such as a seller or a storage facility. If a helper can only come in the morning, that may affect which jobs you schedule first, so ask about constraints rather than assuming availability. Agree how you will communicate delays, whether by group message or phone call. When you contact the team for a quote, mention how many people are involved and the access arrangements, since this context helps them match the job to the right van.
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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.