The flexible nature of the humble man and van is what makes them so unique, with one ready at a moments notice in most areas, simply due to the range and diversity of van owners in the country. You will always be able to get hold of a man and van, but how do you know whether you are getting a good one or not? More to the point, what makes a ‘good’ man and van service? Having a little insider information before even looking for a van will mean that you are able to get some idea of what you should be looking out for when you start your search. From charges to sizes, it all plays a part in your move.For a start, consider the size of the van that you need. This information is potentially the hardest to ascertain, and along with the locations and dates of pick up and drop off, is one of the key pieces of information that you will need when you are on the phone with the man and van driver, who will take your order. The average transit van will be a size that most people can picture in their minds, and with clever packing will fit more than you may expect, but it is foolhardy to take risks on such things, as finding out that the van is too small at the last minute is likely to be a serious problem in the long run. If you are unsure of how large a van you need, then you may be driven to actually measuring the load! This involves piling everything up against the corner of a room, and measuring the length, width and height of the load. When the measurements are multiplied, you will have the volume of the load, so ensure that everything is tightly stacked together! Most van men will be able to give you a decent idea of what they think will fit in the van over the phone, so be sure to have an idea as to what is going in there when you are talking to them. The payment of a van service comes in two forms. Some drivers take a flat fee for the whole job, whilst others will go by the hour. You will find that the hourly rate usually works out cheaper, provided that you do not end up getting stuck in traffic or having a nightmare with loading etcetera. This is basically the kind of thing that the quoting system tries to avoid, and that you will have to pay for anyway if you are unwilling to risk the hourly fee. By looking at maps and traffic reports on the day of the move, you should be able to ensure that your journey goes smoothly, and to work out how long the job should take. Being prepared beforehand, by having all the furniture ready to load on to the van will mean that you are a lot more likely to get the loading and unloading done with speed, and reduce the overall time spent on the move, and therefore the hourly rate. It is difficult to know what the customer service will be like from a van driver until you have met them, but sometimes you can get an idea of how they are from the phone call. If you are worried that the driver may not be the type to go the extra step for you, then perhaps try a few others before deciding on a man and van service.