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.
Preparing a Business Delivery
If you are arranging a delivery for work, the details worth writing down start with the goods themselves: what they are, how many there are and their approximate dimensions. Note whether any item requires careful handling at the receiving end and who will accept the delivery, including a name and phone number for the site contact. Confirm the delivery window the customer expects, then set this against the hire dates you would need to cover it. If several drops are planned in one day, list each address and the recipient at each one. When you contact the team, the open questions are which van would suit the load and dates, and whether anything about the job's access arrangements should be added to the enquiry.
Organising a Household Move
A house move goes more smoothly to plan when you start with a written inventory, so begin by listing furniture room by room with rough sizes. Count boxes as small, medium or large rather than individually, and note anything that dismantles or travels flat. Decide the dates you will need the van, allowing for any gap between collecting keys and actually moving, and record who will be present at the old and new addresses. If some items are heading to storage rather than the new home, mark those separately so the job has two destinations. Your questions for the team then cover which van size matches the inventory, whether the dates work, and what to include about access at each property when you ask for a quote.
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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.