Hiring a van and moving yourself is a good way to keep the cost of a house move down, and with some planning it does not have to be hard work. This guide covers the three things that make the biggest difference: picking the right van, loading it well, and using the tail lift properly.
Step one: choose the right van
The most common mistake is booking a van that is too small. A second trip costs you time on a day when you have none to spare. As a starting point:
| What you are moving | Van to hire |
|---|---|
| A single room or a studio flat | Small van |
| A one or two bedroom flat | Transit |
| A larger flat or a small house | Long wheelbase Transit |
| A bigger move with a lot of furniture | Extra long wheelbase van |
| A house of three bedrooms or more | Luton with tail lift |
| A large house with a full household of belongings | 7.5 tonne lorry |
Two things can push you up a size: bulky furniture such as corner sofas and wardrobes that do not come apart, and a garage, shed or loft that also needs emptying.
All of these can be driven on a standard car licence except the 7.5 tonne lorry, which needs category C1. Our guide to driving a 7.5 tonne lorry on a car licence explains how to check. There is more detail on each vehicle in our van size guide, and the load space measurements are on each van’s page.
Step two: plan the hire
Book early for busy days. Fridays, weekends and the end of the month are when most people move, and the larger vans go first.
Think about how long you need. A day’s hire runs from your collection time until 8:00am the next morning. If you are packing, moving and cleaning, a second day takes the pressure off, and the daily rate is lower for hires of 3 days or more.
The van comes back to the depot you collected it from. Mileage is unlimited, so a longer distance move is no problem, but plan the return journey into your day. If you get back after we have closed, use the 24-hour key drop.
Name everyone who will drive. Only drivers named on the hire agreement are insured. Each needs their own licence and DVLA check code. See what to bring when you collect.
Sort out parking at both ends. Check whether you need a permit or a suspended bay outside either address, and how close the van can get to the door.
Step three: load it properly
How you load matters as much as how much you load. A well packed van carries more and drives better.
- Heavy items go in first. Washing machines, fridges and chests of drawers go against the bulkhead behind the cab, with the weight low and spread across the floor.
- Tall, flat items go against the sides. Stand mattresses, bed frames, table tops and mirrors on their edges along the walls and tie them back.
- Sofas can go on end if the van is tall enough, which frees up a lot of floor.
- Build walls of boxes. Boxes of the same size stack into solid blocks. Heavy boxes at the bottom, light ones on top.
- Fill the gaps. Bags of bedding, cushions and soft furnishings stop things from sliding.
- Tie it down as you go. Bring ratchet straps or rope and use the lashing points. A load that shifts under braking can do a lot of damage.
- Last in, first out. The kettle, the toolbox and the cleaning things go in last.
Bring blankets or old duvets to protect furniture, and do not load the van beyond the weight it is rated for. Books, tiles and paving are much heavier than they look.
Using the tail lift
The tail lift on a Luton is what makes it the favourite for house moves. It raises heavy items from the ground to the floor of the van, so nobody has to lift a washing machine at chest height.
- Park on firm, level ground with room behind the van.
- Lower the lift all the way to the ground before loading it.
- Put the item in the middle of the platform, not on the edge.
- Stay within the weight limit marked on the lift.
- Keep hands and feet clear of the edges while it is moving, and keep children and pets well back.
- Stow it fully before you drive away.
If you have not used one before, ask us to show you the controls when you collect.
On the road
A loaded van takes longer to stop and needs more room on corners, so leave bigger gaps and take your time.
Height is the thing to watch. A Luton is over 3 metres tall, and the exact height is shown in the cab. Check it before car parks, low bridges, petrol station canopies and overhanging trees. Damage to the roof, or from hitting anything overhead, is not covered by the insurance.
When you are finished
Empty the load area and the cab, and return the van with the same amount of fuel it had when you collected it. Take a few photos of the van and the fuel gauge if you are using the key drop.
If you would like help choosing a van for your move, call us and we will talk it through. Our numbers are on the contact page, or you can book online at any time.