Where the van stops at a Preston seller's house

A seller on a cobbled Deepdale row such as Goldfinch Street or Linnet Street, or on St Mark's Road in Maudland, rarely has a gap outside the door. The van pulls in at the corner and the item comes out on the trolley along the flags, which is fine for a chest of drawers and slower for a dining table. A back gate onto the alley can cut the walk, so ask. Out in Fulwood, Ingol, Tanterton and Cottam there is usually a drive or a clear kerb.

Before any money changes hands, get the dimensions and close-up photos of any marks, and ask how the piece will leave the house. A wardrobe assembled in a bedroom may have to come apart to get down the stair, and the driver can do that on the spot. For a flat at Riversway or in the centre, find out about the lift and where a van can wait. The deal is between you and the seller; the van fetches goods that are already paid for.

Seller, address and measurements: Preston collection checklist

The seller's full postcode, their phone number and a window when they are home
The size of the piece and whether it has to be taken apart to get out
Whether there is a drive, a clear kerb or only the corner of a cobbled row
Settle payment with the seller first, so nothing holds up the handover
Check your own doorway and stair, so the piece fits at your end too

Seller streets around Preston and how the van gets to them

Deepdalecobbled rows such as Goldfinch Street and Linnet Street, van at the end
MaudlandSt Mark's Road and Wellington Street, both cobbled
Riverswaymarina flats with car parks and gated entries
Fulwooddrives and cul-de-sacs off Garstang Road
Ingol, Tanterton and Cottamestates where the van can stop outside the house

Collection runs inside Preston and further out

Bradford → Preston63 miles by the M62, M61 and M65, 75 to 90 minutes
Cottam → Deepdaleacross the north of the city along Blackpool Road
Preston → Blackpoolthe M55, about 19 miles, for a seller on the coast

Item, access and distance: a Preston collection price

How big the piece is, how easy it is to get out of the seller's house and into yours, and the miles in between give the figure, which you have before the van sets off. See how we quote for the full breakdown.