Using a car instead of a van

[FixitElectrical]

Hi,

This is my first post on here, so hello everyone! I've been reading thread on here for weeks now and thought I'd best join!

I'm starting out in the domestic electrician world shortly and wondered who else uses a normal saloon car to run their business. I have all the tools I need and can just fit them into boot, I have s Saab 9-3 which has a good sized boot. I'm just wondering who else doesn't use a van

Any thoughts?

 

[Rappid]

Agree with MDJ. More professional looking when turning up in van, did get more work/enquiries as van is sign written.
I did use my car for a while, a Renault Laguna estate but found it was too small carrying around tools and spares even for domestic.
Definately get business use added to your insurance, it doesn't cost a lot more and will save you a lot of hassle.

 

[kingeri]

I totally agree. If I could afford a van, I'd have one in a flash. But I can't, so I don't

 

[plugsandsparks]

I use a BMW 530D Estate, carries all my stuff, has rails for the ladders on roof. I do mostly commercial and industrial. Have carried all sorts in it from the wholesalers but if i need a load of unistrut, conduit or trunking or a large drum of SWA, simply have it delivered.
I also do subby work for a automation company and an un-written estate car fits right it.
I claim 45ppm out of the business as expenses to run it. VAT is lost on tyres, servicing and bits and bobs but is more than covered by the 45ppm tax free expenses.
Considered a van but at present i dont need to advertise and do travel quite a bit so need something really comfy.
Recently tested the insurance when i reversed into a new plumbers van at clients premises, oops. Doesn;t cost much more to get full business insurance.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i have to agree with mike here...
turning up in a van creates the appropriate vision..

you could always just turn up on a vision of course...

 

[kingeri]

i have to agree with mike here...
turning up in a van creates the appropriate vision..

you could always just turn up on a vision of course...

Just need a sidecar for your ladders.

 

[Robotstar5]

i have to agree with mike here...
turning up in a van creates the appropriate vision..

you could always just turn up on a vision of course...

Perfect, MFT on the front, toolbag on the back and your snap tin under the seat!

 

[i=p/u]

I just grab trailor if loads of stuff and I admit it is a balls changing stuff around for family use and work, then you go somewhere and you took it out the night before

 

[imago]

It really depends on what stage your business is at I think. If you have an existing client base they don't care what you turn up in. If you're just starting out there are other things which will soak up the cash.

My set up suits where I am I think, I use the van for doing the work, and the bike for nipping about quoting.

 

[Stroppy]

Trying to hoodwink your insurance would be madness: if you have as much as a screwdriver in the car and try to claim they will go "not insured for business, we're not paying, hahahaha! By the way now you're an uninsured driver, good luck with that!"

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Just need a sidecar for your ladders.

hmm....no!!
heres a better way...

 

[i=p/u]

For driving to and from work on my policy , don't work in the car:24:

 

[MDJ]

Just need a sidecar for your ladders.

HAHA, love this, Joking aside though Fella, the Guy who I did my apprenticship with worked for a company who used to do lots of work in Gloucester city centre in the 60s, the company was just a mile from town, and the vans were always out and about as the company used to make switchgear as well as installation and went all over the country so no vans were usually at the stores, he swore blind they used to tie a conduit bender to a push bike and cycle the bender to the Job haha, I bet it wasn't unusual 45-50 years ago.

 

[imago]

HAHA, love this, Joking aside though Fella, the Guy who I did my apprenticship with worked for a company who used to do lots of work in Gloucester city centre in the 60s, the company was just a mile from town, and the vans were always out and about as the company used to make switchgear as well as installation and went all over the country so no vans were usually at the stores, he swore blind they used to tie a conduit bender to a push bike and cycle the bender to the Job haha, I bet it wasn't unusual 45-50 years ago.

It was a different attitude in the past, necessity was the mother of invention. If something wasn't available you worked round it, made something, worked a different way etc. Now it's more a case of job stops until whatever it is arrives.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

It was a different attitude in the past, necessity was the mother of invention. If something wasn't available you worked round it, made something, worked a different way etc. Now it's more a case of job stops until whatever it is arrives.

mother of invention...

thank god you dont lay bricks for a living...

 

[MDJ]

mother of invention...

thank god you dont lay bricks for a living...

HAHAHAHA, Brilliant HAHA.

 

[FixitElectrical]

I just checked my insurance cert and it says it covers business too, i probably said yes when i took it out. The only reason i said you could get away with it potentially is because if you only do the odd job a couple of times a month then chances are all is fine. Anyway...

And yes i quite agree a sign written van does look a hell of a lot better, no doubt about it.

 

[Engineer54]

HAHA, love this, Joking aside though Fella, the Guy who I did my apprenticship with worked for a company who used to do lots of work in Gloucester city centre in the 60s, the company was just a mile from town, and the vans were always out and about as the company used to make switchgear as well as installation and went all over the country so no vans were usually at the stores, he swore blind they used to tie a conduit bender to a push bike and cycle the bender to the Job haha, I bet it wasn't unusual 45-50 years ago.

The industrial company i did my training with, the site was enormous, that covered several factories. On more than one occasion when a bender was needed and all the benders were being used elsewhere in the factory, it was a case of ringing round the other factories maintenance departments, to find one that was available. Then it was down to walking over to get it and walking back, carrying the dammed thing. A push bike would have been a godsend!!

 

[londonlec]

HAHA, love this, Joking aside though Fella, the Guy who I did my apprenticship with worked for a company who used to do lots of work in Gloucester city centre in the 60s, the company was just a mile from town, and the vans were always out and about as the company used to make switchgear as well as installation and went all over the country so no vans were usually at the stores, he swore blind they used to tie a conduit bender to a push bike and cycle the bender to the Job haha, I bet it wasn't unusual 45-50 years ago.

I used to work for one of Londons local authorities... some of the 'old boys' there can remember walking from the depots to the council estates with wheel barrows! :d

 

[Geordie Spark]

It's the fact your using it to make money that's why they will want to know. You won't actually be insured.

Yes that's it ............. and don't forget they will want to know if you're running a business from your home as this will affect your home insurance too.

 

[Fin170]

I used to work for one of Londons local authorities... some of the 'old boys' there can remember walking from the depots to the council estates with wheel barrows! :d

That's what I tend to do if I have a small job in my local village :blush5: