Collaborative Post¦ When moving home, working out all of the practical logistics can feel a bit overwhelming. There are so many different options to choose between, and it’s vital that you choose one that actually suits your needs, without overstretching yourself physically or financially.
A common option that people go with is to hire a van, but is that always the right thing to do? To help you make a decision, we’ve gone through some of the basic questions you should ask yourself before hiring a van for the move.
Do you feel comfortable driving a larger vehicle?
One of the most important things to consider before hiring a van for the move is whether you feel comfortable driving it or not. Even if you’ve driven cars for a long time, manoeuvering a big van through the tight roads of the city can be practically difficult, not to mention stressful.
If you don’t feel comfortable driving it, then check with your friends and family members to see if you know any pro drivers. You really don’t want to end up scraping the van, potentially costing you a bunch in excess fees at the end of the rental.
Can you move the items in and out of the van?
Another thing to consider is whether you’ll be able to load and unload your items from the van. If you have a bad back, a lot of heavy things that need moving, or just don’t have much experience in shifting heavy objects, hiring a van might not be the best option.
When you hire a removals service like Bright Movers, you’re not just paying for the van itself – you’re also paying for a team of movers to move your belongings in and out of the van. If you have a bunch of strong friends who can help you out, that could also work, but be realistic about your capabilities before committing to a more autonomous option like hiring a van.
How much stuff do you have to move?
Lastly, if you’re going to hire a van yourself, unless you have a special license you’ll be limited to smaller vans that weigh under 3.5 tons when fully loaded. While this can be more than enough for smaller moves, if you have a lot of stuff to shift, it might not be enough.
Removals companies often use much bigger lorries that can carry loads of up to 18 tons. For larger moves, this can be far more efficient and will likely decrease the chances that some of your items get damaged during loading, unloading or transit.
Hiring a van can work out really nicely, if you’re able to safely lift your belongings and drive the van through narrow roads. If either of those things sound like they could be an issue, or if you have a large amount of stuff to move, then it could end up being easier – and potentially cheaper – to hire a removals service to do it for you.
Cover photo by Tima Miroshnichenko