When it comes to tradespeople, their livelihood will often depend on their mode of transportation. This is why it’s never been more important to maintain and ensure a reliable and safe van that’s fully working order. It should be deemed a portable workshop – an essential part of daily business operations.
Whether you’re an electrician, a plumber, a landscaper, a carpenter or a plasterer, to name a few, your van plays a crucial role in ensuring jobs are attended, completed and charged each and every day. So, how can a reliable work van help those in the trade? Let’s take a closer look:
Keeps your business moving
Time is one of the most valuable assets for any tradesperson, no matter the business they’re in. Every hour spent dealing with vehicle problems and breakdowns will be time that’s wasted and not billed to your clients. This costs you time and money.
By ensuring that your van is reliable, you can travel to jobs without having to worry about the vehicle breaking down unexpectedly. Reliable transport will ensure that your clients know they can rely on you to arrive on time, and so they’re more likely to recommend your services as a result. In addition to this, it also allows you to:
- Arrive at appointments on time
- Complete more jobs during the course of the day
- Respond quickly to emergency call-outs
- Minimise disruption to your schedule
- Build a reputation for dependability
Protects your tools & equipment
Many tradspeople can carry thousands of pounds worth of tools, equipment and machinery in their vans. As such, you’ll want to do everything in your power to keep your inventory safe. A dependable, safe and secure van will not only transport that equipment, but it will also keep it protected and secure when stored throughout the working day.
It also deters thieves, especially if locking mechanisms are solid and robust. In addition, organised storage reduces the time spent searching for tools and helps to prevent damage during transit. These days, modern trade vans will include features like:
- Secure locking systems
- Reinforced load areas
- Internal shelving and racking
- Bulkheads to separate the cab from the cargo area
- Tie-down points and hoops for securing heavy equipment
Improves productivity
Efficiency is something that’s essential in any trade, whether you’re an electrician, a plumber, a landscaper or are in another line of business. As such, a well-equipped and reliable van will ensure that you carry the materials and equipment needed to carry out the various jobs you need to do to stay in business, and all without having to go back to the headquarters, depot, or your supplier. When everything has its place, tradespeople will be able to focus more on delivering quality workmanship using the best materials as opposed to managing clutter or replacing forgotten tools. Some of the benefits of doing this include:
- Fewer wasted journeys
- Better organisation
- Faster job completion
- Improved workflow
- Greater customer satisfaction
Enhances professional image
First impressions are everything, and so your van needs to look the part. It’s one of the first things your customers will see when you arrive at their property, and so it’s imperative that you work on keeping the bodywork spik and span and making sure that you have all of the relevant information on it in order to maintain customer trust and attract new business. You should look to have the following things placed on your van, alongside keeping rust and dirt at bay:
- Company logos
- Contact information
- Website addresses
- Social media handles
- Service listings
Reduces running costs
Purchasing a van that’s reliable will require a huge investment. However, this will help you to save money over time as operating costs and repairs will be far less frequent. While you can buy a new van that’s more reliable and comes with more modern features, this isn’t always a viable solution for some in the trade. Therefore, preventative maintenance is key.
Not only does it keep your van up and running indefinitely, but it also reduces the likelihood of you having to spend considerable amounts of money repairing issues. It can even mitigate the van being written off thanks to engine failures and other costly repairs that may cost more than the vehicle is worth. By making sure that you’re having your van serviced regularly, which is something we can do here at VanServ, you’ll likely experience:
- Better fuel economy
- Lower repair bills
- Reduced downtime
- Longer service life
- Higher resale values
Supports health & safety
Tradespeople will often need to transport heavy, long loads, consisting of various materials, power tools, ladders, chemicals and other items that could, potentially, be hazardous. A reliable van that’s equipped with suitable storage solutions will help the van load to be transported as safely and as efficiently as possible.
By securing van loads properly, it reduces the risk of cargo shifting during transportation. This protects both the driver, the passengers and other road users. Some of the most popular van safety features that can help with health and safety in this capacity include:
- Anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
- Electronic stability control
- Parking sensors
- Reversing cameras
- Load resistant systems
- Driver assistance technologies
Easy adaptation to different trades
Different professions have different vehicle requirements. For instance, if you clean windows, soffits, fascias and gutters, then you’ll need a tank of water with a pump and hose to ensure that you can do your job efficiently. On the other hand, an electrician wouldn’t need this capability in the back of their van.
As such, choosing the right vehicle for your specific role will improve efficiency greatly. In addition, it aids in enhancing productivity while also keeping tools and equipment organised. This helps you to get your hands on what you need quickly so that work can be completed in a time-efficient manner. Let’s take a look at a few examples:
- Electricians – shelving to house small components, cable reels and testing equipment would be an ideal choice for this profession
- Plumbers – shelving for small parts and space for larger items, such as copper and plastic pipes, would be perfect for this trade
- Builders – vans that can withstand heavy loads, together with a range of compartment space that varies in size, would make the job of a builder easier
- Carpenters – the vehicle would need large, open spaces with the capability to secure items down to help a carpenter, especially as they’ll be working with long sheets of plywood and MDF, for instance, as well as wooden items, like skirting boards and architraves
- Landscapers – with a wealth of tools needed to do their job, a landscaper would need a van that prioritises safe tool storage. It also needs to withstand heavy loads as landscapers will bring waste away from projects, like soil and branches. Alternatively, the van needs to have a towing capacity for good measure
Builds customer trust
No matter the industry you work in, whether it be plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, landscaping or another trade, it’s imperative that your van looks sleek and professional and performs smoothly and safely. Not only does it reinforce your overall professionalism as a tradesperson, but it can also help to enhance your reputation with existing and new clients alike.
How? Customers will always be happy and place their trust in tradespeople who show up on time and complete the work agreed. If your van experiences regular breakdowns, for instance, then this can cause you to miss appointments and delay projects.
If this happens, then you’re giving your clients the opportunity to seek work from your competitors. The solution to this is simple. In order to build and maintain customer trust, no matter what you do for a living, make sure that your van is in working order at all times.
This can be done through regular van services, which is something we offer here at VanServ. We will complete an inspection of your vehicle, as well as offer oil and filter changes where applicable. Depending on the tier you choose, a regular van service can help to ensure your vehicle runs as expected. Give your customers a positive experience that could lead to referrals and repeat business by keeping your van in top condition.
Here at VanServ, we understand the importance of having a working, reliable and efficient work vehicle for tradespeople. This is why we offer a wealth of services for vans, including air con regassing, gearbox repair, van servicing, key programming and cutting, clutch repairs and more. If you’d like further information about how we can keep your van running for the good of your business, then get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.