Van Hire Scarning

Details Worth Gathering Before You Enquire

Before picking up the phone, sketch the practicalities: your provisional dates, the sort of trips you expect, and whether anyone else will drive. A customer renovating a cottage over several weeks, for instance, will describe her needs very differently from someone shifting a sofa.

Letting the Load Point to the Right Van

Measure the bulkiest item before deciding anything, then estimate how many journeys a smaller van would demand. One driver moving workshop tools might happily accept three short trips; another carrying plasterboard needs the length in one load. A quick tape measure often settles the question on the spot.

Enquiring Early Enough to Keep Your Dates

Longer hires especially benefit from an early enquiry, since a particular van may already be spoken for on your chosen dates. Give the hire firm a range of acceptable start days if you can. A teacher planning a summer clear-out, for example, gained a fortnight's use by asking in May.

Making the Handover Count

The first ten minutes set the tone for the whole rental. Walk around the van noting any marks, check the fuel level, and adjust the mirrors before leaving. Ask where the spare bulbs and locking wheel nut live. One tradesman's notebook entry saved him a disputed scratch charge.

Common Questions