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.
Arranging a Furniture Collection with a Seller
If you have bought something second-hand and need to collect it, a few questions to the seller can shape your hire plans. You might confirm the exact collection address, the times the seller is available, and any particular doorway or gate the item must pass through. Recording the item's measurements, such as a dining table's length or a wardrobe's depth, plus whether it separates into parts, gives the team useful details when matching your job to a van. It can also help to note the seller's phone number in case the timing shifts. When you request a quote, sharing these access arrangements and your intended dates lets the team discuss the van options with your collection in mind.
Listing Your Boxed Belongings for the Move
Where your hire involves moving packed cartons from one home to another, an inventory drafted before you book can guide the conversation. You could count the boxes room by room, note their approximate sizes, and flag any that are particularly heavy or fragile. If some cartons are destined for a storage unit rather than your new address, recording both destinations, along with a named contact and phone number for each, keeps the plan orderly. It may also be worth listing any furniture that will travel with the boxes, including whether items dismantle, so the team has the full picture. When you ask about vehicle options and dates, this written list means you can answer questions about quantities and dimensions without guesswork, and raise anything still unclear about the job.
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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.