What Size Moving Van Do I Need? (1, 2, and 3-Bed Houses)

Whether you are moving across Hawick, relocating to another town in the Scottish Borders, or heading further afield to the rest of the UK, one of the most stressful parts of planning a move is figuring out if all your worldly possessions will actually fit in the back of the van.

Book a van that's too small, and you'll be making multiple trips (which is a nightmare on long-distance moves). Book one that's too large, and you're paying for empty air. Here is our expert guide on what size moving van you need.

The Standard Moving Van Sizes

Removal companies generally measure van capacity in cubic meters (m³). Here is how the vehicles in our local fleet stack up against typical UK homes:

• Medium Wheelbase (MWB) Transit: Capacity ~5-8 m³
  Best for: Studio flats, small 1-bedroom apartments, or student moves. It can hold a bed, a small sofa, a TV, and about 15-20 boxes.
• Long Wheelbase (LWB) Transit: Capacity ~10-14 m³
  Best for: Large 1-bedroom flats or lightly furnished 2-bedroom houses. This will hold white goods (fridge/washing machine), a couple of beds, a sofa set, and 30+ boxes.
• Luton Van (With Tail Lift): Capacity ~15-20 m³
  Best for: Fully furnished 2 to 3-bedroom houses. This is the absolute gold standard for removals. Its square shape means tall furniture stands upright perfectly, and the tail lift is essential for heavy white goods.
• 7.5 Tonne Lorry: Capacity ~25-30 m³
  Best for: Large 3 to 4-bedroom family homes. If you have garden furniture, a garage full of tools, and a heavily furnished house, you need to step up to a lorry.