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