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.
Allowing Time for Packing and Loading
Start by writing down the details that shape your schedule: the hire dates, the full list of items, and the access arrangements at each address. From that list you can sketch how the days might be divided — one stretch for packing, one for the journey, one for unpacking — and see whether the hire window leaves room for each. Estimates are only estimates, so treat them as provisional. If helpers are involved, note who is available and when, since a missing pair of hands could change how the days run. Anything awkward to dismantle, such as a bed frame or shelving, deserves a line of its own with a note of the tools needed. If the schedule looks tight, ask the team about adjusting the dates before you confirm.
Comparing One Trip With Several
Before requesting a quote, it helps to know whether you are planning a single journey or a series of them. List everything that must travel, then mark which items are needed immediately and which could follow later. That split often shows whether the whole consignment has to move at once or whether a smaller load would cover the urgent part. Record the rough size of the largest pieces, since a sofa or a wardrobe sets the tone for the rest of the list. Once the notes are complete, the team can tell you which van from the available range suits the plan. Questions worth asking include whether the dates you want are open and what happens if the job runs beyond them.
Explore other van hire areas
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.