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Large Item Delivery: How to Send Furniture & Bulky Items by Courier

Last updated: 13 October 2026

Bought or sold furniture, appliances, or bulky items? A same-day large item courier is cheaper than you think. Van sizes explained, pricing guide, and how to book.

Hauly Team

22 June 2026Updated 13 October 2026
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TL;DR: A same-day courier can deliver furniture, appliances, and bulky items that parcel networks can't handle. Van sizes from small car-derived vans to Luton box vans with tail-lifts. Local deliveries from £61. Collection often within about an hour, depending on driver availability.


Buying or selling furniture, appliances, or bulky items on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree? Standard parcel networks won't touch anything over their size limits. A same-day large item courier is the solution — a dedicated van picks up your item and delivers it directly, usually the same day.

What counts as a "large item"?

  • Furniture — sofas, beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, bookcases
  • Appliances — washing machines, fridges, dishwashers, cookers
  • Exercise equipment — treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines
  • Building materials — doors, windows, sheet materials, timber
  • Vehicle parts — engines, gearboxes, body panels, wheels/tyres
  • Musical instruments — pianos, drum kits, keyboards, amplifiers
  • Art and antiques — large framed works, sculptures, display cabinets

If it doesn't fit in a parcel, it needs a van. That's where a courier comes in.

Van sizes explained

Choosing the right van size is the key to getting the best price. Bigger vans cost more, so don't book a Luton if a small van will do.

Small van (car-derived)

  • Capacity: ~2.5m³ (similar to a large estate car)
  • Dimensions: ~1.7m L × 1.2m W × 1.2m H
  • Payload: ~500-700kg
  • Best for: Single chairs, small tables, boxes of items, flat-pack furniture, small appliances

Short-wheelbase (SWB) van

  • Capacity: ~5-6m³
  • Dimensions: ~2.4m L × 1.7m W × 1.4m H
  • Payload: ~800-1000kg
  • Best for: Single beds, 2-seater sofas, medium appliances, multiple boxes

Medium-wheelbase (MWB) van

  • Capacity: ~8-10m³
  • Dimensions: ~3.4m L × 1.7m W × 1.7m H
  • Payload: ~1000-1200kg
  • Best for: Double beds, 3-seater sofas, large appliances, several pieces of furniture

Long-wheelbase (LWB) van

  • Capacity: ~12-14m³
  • Dimensions: ~4.3m L × 1.7m W × 1.7m H
  • Payload: ~1200-1500kg
  • Best for: King-size beds, large sofas, dining sets, bulky appliances

Luton box van (with tail-lift)

  • Capacity: ~18-20m³
  • Dimensions: ~4.0m L × 2.0m W × 2.0m H (internal box)
  • Payload: ~1000kg
  • Best for: Full house moves, multiple large items, commercial equipment

How to book a large item courier

  1. Measure your item — length, width, height, and weight. If you're not sure, overestimate slightly.
  2. Get a quote — enter collection and delivery postcodes, select "Large parcel" or "Pallet" as item type. The system will recommend the right vehicle.
  3. Book online — confirm your details and the driver is dispatched.
  4. Prepare the item — wrap fragile edges, secure drawers/doors, remove detachable parts if possible.
  5. Driver collects and delivers — same-day delivery to the recipient's address.

How much does large item delivery cost?

Van type Local (under 30mi) 50 miles 100 miles
Small van £61 £84 £140
Medium van £71 £99 £165
Long-wheelbase van £80 £111 £185
Luton (tail-lift) £104 £142 £231

All prices are fixed upfront, card fee included, for a standard next-day booking. Urgent or out-of-hours collection, and London Congestion Charge or tolls where the route crosses them, are shown in your price before you pay.

Tips for a smooth large item delivery

  1. Measure doorways and access — a 3-seater sofa is useless if it won't fit through the front door. Check both collection and delivery addresses.
  2. Have someone to help — for items over 25kg, the driver may need assistance at both ends. Arrange for someone to be present.
  3. Disassemble if possible — bed frames, tables with legs, and shelving units take up less space and are easier to transport when disassembled.
  4. Protect fragile surfaces — wrap corners and surfaces in blankets or bubble wrap. The driver will secure the item in the van, but it should be protected too.
  5. Check parking — vans need space to park and load. If the collection or delivery address has restricted parking, let us know when booking.

Ready to book your large item delivery?

Enter your postcodes above for an instant fixed-price quote. The system will recommend the right van size for your item. Collection often within about an hour, depending on driver availability, same-day delivery.

By the numbers: large item courier delivery

  • 5 van sizes — from small car-derived vans to Luton box vans with tail-lifts
  • 1,000kg+ — maximum payload on LWB and Luton vans
  • 18m³ — capacity of a Luton box van (equivalent to a 2-3 bedroom house move)

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Hauly Team

The Hauly team are UK logistics and technology specialists building the next generation of courier marketplace infrastructure.

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