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 Collection With a Seller
If you are collecting furniture or equipment from a private seller, a short conversation beforehand can settle most questions. Ask the seller to measure each item, noting height, width and depth, and to describe anything that comes apart, such as legs that unscrew or shelves that lift out. Confirm the earliest time you can arrive and the latest they will wait, then write both down so your hire dates line up with theirs. It also helps to ask whether the items sit in a garage, a back room or an upstairs flat, purely so you can describe the access when you enquire. Finally, keep the seller's phone number handy in case timings shift on the day.
Noting Entrances and Item Dimensions
Suppose the doorway measures less than the wardrobe you have your eye on. Before booking any van, walk the route your items will take and record the narrowest points: door frames, hallway turns, garden gates and any steps along the way. Then list every item with its three dimensions, including packaging if it will be boxed, and mark which pieces are fixed shapes and which can be dismantled. Note awkward forms too, such as a sofa with a chaise end or a wardrobe with a mirror attached, since these often matter more than simple length. Pass those measurements on when you request a quote, and ask openly which vehicle size the team recommends for the list you have recorded.
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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.