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.
Recording What You Plan to Move
What exactly is going into the van? That question is worth answering on paper before anything else. Start with a written list of everything you intend to carry, grouped by room or by job. For boxed belongings, note the number of boxes and, if possible, their approximate dimensions, since a rough measurement of the largest items helps when discussing which van options might suit the job. Include furniture pieces, appliances, tools or materials, and flag anything fragile or awkwardly shaped. If you are collecting items from another address, record the recipient's contact details and any collection reference numbers. This inventory then becomes the basis of your conversation with the team, letting you raise the vehicle options, the access arrangements that apply, and whether anything on your list needs a second look before the hire dates are fixed.
Thinking Through the Unloading Order
Once the inventory exists, consider the sequence in which items will come off the van at each stop. Write down every destination in the order you expect to visit them, along with the contact name and number at each address. Note which boxes or items belong at which stop, so the list can be checked against the inventory as things leave the vehicle. If a recipient is expecting a delivery, confirm their preferred arrival window and whether anyone will be there to receive it. Where several stops are involved, ask yourself whether the order could be adjusted if circumstances change. These are notes you can share when arranging the hire, and any questions about parking or access at a destination belong with the people at that address rather than the hire team, who can only advise on the vehicle side.
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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.