First van

[Andy Tiler]

do you really use that as your every day van Andy..

Yep it's like drivin a go kart! Very basic!!
But it does me! Lol

 

[RDTiling]

Theres a belingo near me 7 yrs old 80k very clean and tidy fully ply lined only had 2 owners and is up for £1750 ? Does that sound reasonable ? I had budgeted 3k for a van to start up but obviously the more I can save the better

That does sound reasonable (to me anyway) particularly for a reasonably low mileage.

i have budgeted for around £3K also, but anything under that for something decent is a bonus.

 

[happy dave]

Do you actually need a van?....concerned about image but wouldn't an old car do like so many painters and decorators do.....not sure what the customer would think though but would save a lot of expense when setting up initially

 

[DGJ]

IMO in this day and age a car is a no go, think of first impressions. I know if I was having work done and some one turned up in a banged up estate alarm bells would start ringing, or is that just me?

 

[White Room]

IMO in this day and age a car is a no go, think of first impressions. I know if I was having work done and some one turned up in a banged up estate alarm bells would start ringing, or is that just me?

Tend to agree.....

 

[hotrod]

IMO in this day and age a car is a no go, think of first impressions. I know if I was having work done and some one turned up in a banged up estate alarm bells would start ringing, or is that just me?

Couldnt agree more see loads of tradesmen in old estate cars or vans that are rust buckets with some tiny advert on the side e.g trevs plastering (apologies to any trevs on the forum) I'd never entrust my home to them frankly and not the image I want to portray, I appreciate I will be far from the best of tilers when I start but I can be as professional as any so want to start off in the right manner

Thanks for everyone's advice think I will hang out for a primastar, transit or vivaro

 

[High Peak Tiling]

Looking about for a second hand van in good condition that I can use for my new career, have seen quite a few Citroen belingos and Renault kangoos at a good price with reasonable mileage, are these likely to be suitable or a little on the small side, obviously starting out want to keep running costs to a minimum as I know it's going to be hard going but equally don't want to buy something and need to replace in 12 months if I can avoid it. Would be interested in people's thoughts on their suitability
thanks
rod

Kangoos berlins are good lil vans, My uncle has used several for years as a plasterer.. they are a bit pricey on parts...being french!

I have a 08 Astravan which is a good image van but no good for anything more than 2 gorilla buckets & a washboy! My level set has to go diagonally in ! !

Before I went self employed I had 2 Ford Ransits as company vans... Could not fault them! Spacious AND Cheaper on insurance... even though they are twice the size of my Vaux

 

[DGJ]

My transit is my baby :lol: I loveeeeees her!

Had a Vivaro for a couple of years and dare I say it was better to drive but lacked in the space department for what I needed for

But like some one said earlier in the thread, no matter how big your van is you'll always fill it and wish it was a little bigger:lol:

 

[High Peak Tiling]

Lol filling the space sound familiar, I end filling the Front seat with paperwork

 

[High Peak Tiling]

If I want to get the runway cutter in I shall have to either put the front seat forward or on the roof ! & don't get me started on long trims!!