Using a car instead of a van

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Using a car instead of a van

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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?
 
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kingeri said:
Just need a sidecar for your ladders.
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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.
 
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MDJ said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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imago said:
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.
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mother of invention...

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

Necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention.jpg
 
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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.
 
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MDJ said:
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.
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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!!
 
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MDJ said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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MDJ said:
I use a van, 2 reasons, 1 you get the VAT back through the business and 2 IMO a sign written van turning up at a customers premises combined with a uniform and ID makes you look far more professional even if you are not than a guy in a car, that said I have worked with a lot of really good sparks who drive cars to site, but I am allowed a view too arn't I haha, no offence to anyone at all here :love:
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Yes I agree. The van does present a more "professional image" and it advertises your business, but at the same time it also advertises to any and all toe rags that your van is very likely stuffed-full of expensive tools etc .........
 
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MDJ said:
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.
Click to expand...

It's amazing just how much stuff you can carry on a bicycle. I've seen sacks of coal jammed between the bottom bracket & the crossbar and when the bloke came around to service the streetlights (which were gas) he had spare gas mantles, spare panes of glass, cleaning cloths etc. and a set of ladders - all on a bike. Contrast that to today when they need a cherry picker and a crew of two to change an electric lamp and I start to wonder where it all went wrong.
 
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imago said:
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.
Click to expand...

I think a lot of it can be blamed on the ridiculous Health & Safety nonsense that's been foisted upon us nowadays.
 
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Geordie Spark said:
It's amazing just how much stuff you can carry on a bicycle. I've seen sacks of coal jammed between the bottom bracket & the crossbar and when the bloke came around to service the streetlights (which were gas) he had spare gas mantles, spare panes of glass, cleaning cloths etc. and a set of ladders - all on a bike. Contrast that to today when they need a cherry picker and a crew of two to change an electric lamp and I start to wonder where it all went wrong.
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Come to China, you'll be amazed as to what can and is transported on a daily basis, using the humble but versatile ''Pushbike''!! lol!!
 
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I have a van, sign written / website, T shirt with logos etc and know I win many jobs on image/1st impressions... I'm under no illusion, many of the car driving sparks on here are better at there jobs than me, but maybe not as busy. 1st impressions count massively IMO... I'd ditch the car and get a van, even a small one to start.
And to add there is no way I'd fit all my tools & stock in a car, my van vault is like a small coffin on its own.

:)
 
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when doing PJ's i have to turn up to jobs in my range rover !

Get some funny looks i tell you ! LOL

lovely bit of boot space though :p

however my usual company daily work vehicle is a Renault trafic.

first impressions mean everything. i certainly wouldn't think much of a sparks pulling up in an old shed estate or van hah
 
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I'm struggling with my porsche 911 at the moment. I can manage a few hand tools, but i get the wholesaler to deliver materials straight to site and hire some steps in from Speedy Hire (delivered to site too). Might try the Range Rover if you reckon it's that good.
 
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VoltzElectrical said:
I'm struggling with my porsche 911 at the moment. I can manage a few hand tools, but i get the wholesaler to deliver materials straight to site and hire some steps in from Speedy Hire (delivered to site too). Might try the Range Rover if you reckon it's that good.
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PMSL :p

joking aside its a wicked work vehicle... massive space, all weather capable and can get a lovely set of 3 stage ladders on the roof rack... only down side its slightly "showy offy"

- - - Updated - - -

no snow tyres needed :)
 
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