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.
Building a clear load inventory
Before anything else, write down every item you plan to move, room by room or job by job. Note the quantity of each thing, not just that there are boxes, but how many boxes, and flag anything with an unusual shape such as a rolled carpet or a dismantled bed frame. Add a column for fragile pieces so you can see at a glance which entries need careful handling on your list. If some items belong to other people, perhaps a customer receiving furniture or a storage unit owner, record their names and contact numbers alongside the entries. An inventory built this way gives the team a concrete picture of the job when you ask for a quote, and it helps you check nothing is missed when the van is returned. Keep the list somewhere reachable during the hire period.
Measuring bulky items in advance
Large or awkward pieces deserve their own notes before you book. For each one, record the length, width and height, and if an item comes apart, note the measurements both assembled and taken down. A wardrobe, for instance, might read one set of dimensions as a unit and a much smaller set once doors and shelves are removed. Note whether legs protrude, handles stick out or a drawer cannot be detached, since those details change the space an item occupies. Write next to each measurement the room it starts in and the room it is heading to, plus a contact at the delivery end if someone must be present. Passing these figures to the team with your hire dates allows them to talk through which van option fits the job and to flag any questions worth settling first.
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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.