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.
Planning your time around the job
Write down the hire dates first, then sketch the hours within them. How long will packing take, and how much of the day will the move or delivery itself need? If you are collecting furniture or visiting a storage unit, note any opening hours you already know and any collection windows agreed with sellers or site managers. Recording these times helps you see whether one day is enough or whether an overnight or weekend hire would suit the job better. It also means that when you contact the team, you can describe the schedule clearly and ask whether a small van, Transit, Luton, dropside or crew van matches the work you have planned within those dates.
Preparing a business delivery run
For commercial work, the details worth recording start with the delivery list itself. Note each drop, the items going to it, and a contact name and number for the recipient at every stop. Recipients can confirm their own access arrangements, unloading points and preferred time slots, so keep their answers alongside your schedule. If some deliveries are time-sensitive, mark which ones take priority and which could shift if needed. Writing down approximate item dimensions and quantities keeps the load description accurate when you speak with the team about matching the job to a vehicle. Once these notes are assembled, questions about the hire dates and access arrangements can be dealt with in one conversation.
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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.