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.
What to Write on Your Load List
Start by writing down everything you plan to move, room by room, along with a rough count of boxes, bags and loose pieces. Note whether any item comes apart, such as a bed frame or shelving unit, since dismantled parts change the overall tally. Add a column for anything fragile or awkwardly shaped, and mark items that belong to a particular drop-off if the day involves more than one stop. If you are still deciding about a few things, list them separately as possibles rather than leaving them off entirely. A written list gives the team something concrete to look at when you request a quote, and it helps you spot forgotten pieces, such as loft boxes or garden tools, before the hire dates are settled.
Measuring Bulky Items Before You Book
Measurements are worth gathering early, ideally before you ask about a vehicle. For each large piece, record the height, width and depth at its widest point, and note anything that protrudes, such as handles, feet or a mirror attached to a dresser. If an item can be dismantled, measure it both ways and say which version you intend to transport. Sofa beds and pianos deserve a note of their approximate weight if you know it, purely as information for the record. Keep the numbers handy in case the team asks for them, since accurate figures help the discussion about vehicle options. Where a measurement is uncertain, err on the side of the larger figure and mention that you have done so.
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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.