From builder’s favourite, transit van, to the trusty minibus- whether you are moving abroad, relocating within the country or just moving around the corner, hiring a van could be the answer to all your transport needs.

Firstly, it helps to ensure you get the right advice from the hire company in relation to what it is you need to move. Small items of furniture along with your favourite trinkets and treasures will be easy to transport in your personal vehicle, but you may need a larger removal lorry for larger items like sofas, dining tables and chairs or beds.

Hiring a van can be a cost effective, low maintenance way of transporting as many items as possible at once without having to make many trips. If you're considering a big move, perhaps to another country, you may find that, depending on demand, you can have the van for as long or short a period of time as you wish. This works out perfectly if you are moving abroad and avoids the problem of reaching your far off destination just to unload and return the van. An even better option is to return the van to one of the rental company's store locations in your destination city.

Hiring a van is also great for office Christmas parties and events too. It's especially ideal if you live out of town and would otherwise need to organise taxis or lift shares. Splitting the cost of the fare probably works out cheaper for everyone and ensures that you all get home safely together.

Most rental vans have plenty of space for a child seat or booster chair to keep the little ones safe whilst you load and unload the van. Speaking of kiddies, many car hire companies offer minibus rental for family holidays, ensuring that swimsuits, snow boots, mountain bikes and everyone’s favourite teddy bear is on board!

Particularly useful if you are going on a ski or snowboarding holiday, many companies will offer not only the hire of the van but also the fitting and use of snow tyres or snow chains (at an additional cost). Snow tyres are a legal requirement in many countries that experience bad weather conditions and snowfall during the winter months. They are fitted in order to give the vehicle better grip and traction and to allow water to escape from the wheels more easily. If you require any information on when and where in the world you will require snow tyres, there are many websites containing this information.

Thus, van rental is a safe and easy way to travel or to transport furniture or goods, but make sure you have adequate insurance and that the car legally fits the purpose intended to make your experience as stress- free as possible.

Fiona Roy writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.