Start with the hardest constraint: what has to fit inside the car. A two-day job moving crates and household belongings leaves little margin for an undersized vehicle, so sizing comes first, then timing, then the money.
Size the Car Around Your Load, Not the Label
Category names tell you little. Count the crates, measure the bulkiest item, and note how many people ride along. Give those figures to the supplier and let them match a model from what is actually on the forecourt, fleet availability in a seaside town shifts with the seasons, and summer weekends can thin out the larger options quickly. A boot that swallows two suitcases will not swallow a chest of drawers.
Fix Your Windows Before You Ring Anyone
Once you know the vehicle, work backwards from the job. If loading begins Saturday morning and the drive home finishes Sunday evening, say so plainly. Ask the branch how late returns are handled and whether a weekend handover needs an out-of-hours arrangement. Leaving an hour's slack at each end of the day costs nothing; overrunning the agreed slot often does.
Get the Money Side in Writing
Ask for the complete figure, not the headline rate. Fuel rules, the security deposit, any mileage cap, and the insurance excess all belong in the same conversation. Find out which cards the branch can pre-authorise and how long held funds take to reappear. If a second driver is joining, check whether their name must be added at the desk in person or can be arranged beforehand.
Make Your Enquiry Do the Work
A good first message saves a second one. Include your collection and return times, the load description from step one, and roughly how far you expect to drive. Then ask three things: what identification the counter needs, whether the photocard licence check code should be generated in advance, and how fuel should be left on return. Keep the reply on file for collection day.
Questions before you book
When should I start arranging car hire for a Littlehampton move?
Several weeks ahead is a sensible buffer, especially across peak summer weekends when smaller fleets come under pressure. Early contact also gives you room to compare terms and sort licence codes without a deadline looming.
What details belong in a first enquiry to a Littlehampton branch?
Your dates and times, an honest description of the cargo or passenger count, and expected mileage. Follow up on deposits, accepted identification, fuel policy, and excess options before committing.
