Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[David M]

This topic has been thrashed out a few times and always yields different views.
The top and bottom for me is you have different types of tradesmen with different types of customers.
Example 1
Electrician who is happy earning a few hundred pound a week and happy to run about in an old beat up van and if they were to stretch to getting a new shiny van this would raise a few eyebrows from their tight customers.

Been there done that!
People get used to seeing you in a scrap heap, then you get - "he must be earning good money look at that van he's bought!"
No thought to the fact that, when I did eventually have a decent van I could only afford it over a 5 year payment plan, with my old van and a little bit of cash as a deposit.

Example 2
Electrician who wants to build up a company with staff / office/ several vehicles and works for large reputable companies who wouldn't blink if they all rolled up in new vehicles because they do the same. plus a new van is a sensible business. tax benefit if the company is making decent profit.

Not everybody gets the opportunity to build a successful business and get the sort of clients who actually expect to pay good money for a good trades man. I've been in business for coming up to 30 years now and still only have a limited number of good clients. Business is very cut throat in my neck of the woods.

Example 3
Electrician who has everthing that Electrician 2 has but just doesn't see the need to drive a new van.

I like to think I'm heading towards example 3, in that I'm in a position where I could probably afford a new van. But because I've spent my entire career scraping by and making do, I feel that a new van is a luxury that I don't need.
That said, The van I have at present is not worth much money and owes me nothing, it keeps on trouping like a good old train. If or when I was to next invest in another van I would definitely consider the option of a new one, just for the warranty and peace of mind. :blush5:

 

[Hellmooth]

Renault Trafic 12 plate

 

[BigSi]

2013 Ford Transit Custom and Example 2!

 

[ifindoubtdont]

12 plate Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE at least it gets me there in any weather (oh, and in comfort)

 

[northstar]

Ford transit

 

[haj]

Renault Traffic

 

[telectrix]

12 plate Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE at least it gets me there in any weather (oh, and in comfort)

but does it get there on the same day? :44:

 

[Marvo]

No van, I drive a Nissan Livina which is one of our company cars and sometimes my own BMW X5 depending on what I'm doing and how long I'm driving.

 

[Tony Hillyard]

2001 vw t4 2.5 tdi

 

[sandford55]

Citroen Berlingo enterprise edition 2014

 

[Jaxo]

Audi A4 Avant

 

[ifindoubtdont]

Tel, it gets me there any day I want to arrive.

 

[andyb]

2011 Peugeot Partner.
Had to go outside and look.

 

[electric will]

only posting this to get rid of the annoying message telling me that I've not posted anything In The last 60 days

 

[GMES]

only posting this to get rid of the annoying message telling me that I've not posted anything In The last 60 days

Oh come on I'm sure you can muster a better reply than that like what Have you been doing for the last 60 days that's stopped you posting on the forum :computer:

 

[Midwest]

The top and bottom for me is you have different types of tradesmen with different types of customers.
Example 1
Electrician who is happy earning a few hundred pound a week and happy to run about in an old beat up van and if they were to stretch to getting a new shiny van this would raise a few eyebrows from their tight customers.

Example 2
Electrician who wants to build up a company with staff / office/ several vehicles and works for large reputable companies who wouldn't blink if they all rolled up in new vehicles because they do the same. plus a new van is a sensible business. tax benefit if the company is making decent profit.

Example 3
Electrician who has everthing that Electrician 2 has but just doesn't see the need to drive a new van.

Now I like to think I am Electrician number 2, but would never dream of judgeing number 1 or 3.
Every one does things differently and each are entitled to do what they want I just believe that a Van is what earns you money from carrying all your gear and gets you to each job safely and in comfort so should be one of the biggest investments you make as a tradesman.
.

That reminds me of this sketch; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2k1iRD2f-c

 

[Paul.M]

08 Vauxhall Combo. "Cut and Shut" from before I bought it but you would have to look very close to see it. Paper work and VIN plates all in order. Any offers over £1k would be taken....... whoops, wrong section of the forum!


A van to me is a mobile shed full of tools and gear. The type and age of van reflects upon the type of work you do, what contracts/customers you have and if you run a million pound turnover P/A business.

A van is a tool at the end of the day. The bigger you get, the bigger and better van you will need.

 

[BruceBanner]

2004 Ford Connect.

 

[Eco Chap]

2007 Renault Trafic and it's crap but works (most of the time)

 

[flashh]

2014 renault traffic sport