Choosing a removal van might sound straightforward, especially if you know how many bedrooms you are moving from. However, two London homes with the same number of bedrooms can contain very different amounts of furniture, boxes and other belongings.
A useful removal assessment therefore considers what you are actually moving, access at both properties, and the level of help required. Providing this information from the outset helps your removal company understand the move properly and recommend an appropriate approach.
What Determines Your Removal Van Size?
Bedroom count can provide a useful starting point when planning a move, but it doesn’t tell you exactly how much needs transporting. Two similar-sized properties can contain very different amounts of furniture, boxes and bulky belongings. The actual volume and type of items being moved therefore provide a more useful basis for assessing your requirements.
London moves also bring practical considerations into the equation. Stairs, restricted entrances, parking and the distance between the property and loading point can all affect how a move is planned, alongside the level of removal assistance you require.
It’s also important to distinguish volume from weight. A vehicle’s cubic capacity describes the amount of load space available inside it. It is not the same as its permitted payload, which relates to how much weight the vehicle can carry.
What Sizes Are G&A Removal Vehicles?
Gentleman & A Van operates removal vehicles with different load volumes so that the team can assess each move’s requirements. The published capacities refer to the amount of space available inside each vehicle:
- Luton Van: 650 cubic feet
- Large Luton Van: 750 cubic feet
- Lorry: 1,500 cubic feet
These cubic-capacity figures describe load volume rather than payload, so you shouldn’t treat them as weight limits. They also don’t provide a guaranteed match between a particular vehicle and the number of bedrooms in your property. Your actual inventory and the practical requirements of the move provide a more useful basis for assessment.
Can Bedroom Count Determine Van Size?
No. Bedroom count provides useful context, but it cannot reliably determine the removal vehicle you need. Homes with the same number of bedrooms can contain substantially different volumes of furniture, boxes and other belongings.
For example:
- Small flat: a bed, desk, chairs, boxes and a limited amount of additional furniture.
- Furnished flat: beds, a sofa, wardrobes, dining furniture, appliances and more boxes.
- Family home: multiple bedrooms, larger furniture, outdoor items, bulky belongings and contents from a loft, garage or shed.
These are illustrative inventories, not vehicle-sizing formulas. An inventory gives your removal company a clearer picture of what actually needs transporting and helps determine the most appropriate service for the move.
What Should Your Removal Inventory Include?
Your removal inventory should cover the main furniture, the approximate number of boxes, and any large, heavy, fragile, or awkward items. It should also include belongings stored outside the main living areas and practical access information for both properties.
Use this checklist when preparing your enquiry:
- Beds, wardrobes, sofas, tables, desks and other main furniture.
- Approximate number of boxes and larger appliances.
- Contents from lofts, sheds, garages, cupboards and outdoor areas.
- Unusually large, heavy, fragile or awkward objects.
- Stairs at the collection and delivery addresses.
- Lift availability and any restrictions on its use.
- Narrow hallways, doorways or entrances.
- Parking and loading arrangements at both properties.
- Approximate carry distance between the property and vehicle.
A complete inventory and clear access information help the removals team understand the scale and practical requirements of your move before assessing it.
How Do You Get an Accurate Assessment?
Start with an accurate inventory of everything you plan to move and provide clear information about access at both the collection and delivery addresses. This gives the removals team more useful information than property size alone.
Photos can provide additional context for furniture, bulky items, entrances and other access considerations. A video survey can also help the G&A team understand the belongings being moved and the property’s practical requirements before preparing your quote.
If your inventory or circumstances change before moving day, let the team know. Keeping this information current means the assessment reflects what you actually plan to move, rather than an earlier estimate.
Choosing Storage Space for Your Move
The same principle applies when deciding how much storage space you need. Start with what you actually intend to store rather than estimating requirements from the number of bedrooms in your property. Decluttering beforehand can also prevent unwanted or unnecessary belongings from taking up storage space.
The type of storage matters too. Container storage can suit belongings that need to stay secure without frequent access. Self storage is generally more practical when you expect to access your possessions regularly. The right option depends on both what you’re storing and how you plan to use the space.
Removal Van Size FAQs
Removal van requirements vary from one move to another. These quick answers cover some of the most common questions about assessing the right vehicle for a London move.
Can bedroom count determine removal van size?
Bedroom count alone cannot determine the removal van size you need. It provides useful context, but your actual inventory, including furniture, boxes and larger items, gives the removals team a clearer indication of what needs transporting.
Why might a larger removal vehicle not be suitable?
A larger vehicle isn’t automatically the most suitable option. Access at the property, narrow entrances, parking and loading restrictions, and the distance between the vehicle and property can all influence how a London move needs to be planned.
What if my inventory changes before moving day?
Tell Gentleman & A Van if you add or remove significant items before moving day. Keeping your inventory up to date lets the team assess your requirements based on what you actually intend to move.
Get the Right Removal Van for Your Move
Choosing a removal van isn’t simply a matter of counting bedrooms. The belongings you need to move, access at both addresses and any unusually large or awkward items all help build a more accurate picture of the job.
Preparing an inventory and providing clear information about your move gives the Gentleman & A Van team what they need to assess your requirements. You can also arrange a video survey where appropriate or request a removals quote to start planning your London move. Read more free tips on removals and storage on our dedicated blog.