Black vans for under £3k

Let's get this right. Previously when doing this kind of stuff for friends/associates etc. it was being done for peanuts - I knew this, they knew this, everybody knew this. It was nothing more than a hobby, certainly not a business.

I always explained the risks before starting the job and explained that I would not be able to cover such mishaps given the price I'm doing it for. This is what I always failed to understand about you lot going off on one about this - if the owners are happy with this arrangement to save some money, why are you lot getting offended about it on their behalf?

One person enquired about insurance, I was straight with him, he wasn't happy and went and paid four times as much to have his car done.

Doing it in a professional sense for complete strangers adds the need for such insurance, not only in case of me damaging their car but for me to move it and store it at my business premises. Being a business, I can take this into account and charge accordingly.
 
So if your taking cars to a 'business premises', why do you need a van capable of carrying round a container full of water?
 
Generally, bigger jobs will be done at the unit and smaller ones mobile. It is always preferable to do paint correction and the protection I'll be providing inside, in a controlled environment.

There is also no point limiting yourself to bigger stuff by refusing to do maintenance washes or even some paint corrections if that is their preference at a customer's premises. A Van with water and a generator allows you to do mobile stuff.
 
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Mike,

Sounds like a lot of equipment your planning on buying or do you have this already?

Shouldn't you be buying this stuff after you've turned over a good amount of money to invest back into the business?

I assume you have completed some market research and aren't just getting a bit excited in what your buying before its actually required?

Id be worried about the reliability of any 3k VAN. If your charging several hundred pounds per job (which i guess you are) shouldn't you be looking at extending your budget a little, for something reliable? I'm not 'ofay' with tax rules but my brother who runs a roofing company changes his work van every 3 years because he can only claim tax back on a 3 yr old van? or something along those lines. I'm not 100% sure on this ^^.

Unless you plan on running to your clients with your water tank/generator/cloths etc id be upping the budget slightly.
 
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I've sat back and read most of this thread and now have to post.

Mike, good luck with your venture. But keep your outgoings to an ABSOLUTE minimum to start with and until you have a large client base. Now you're on about premises. This sounds like it's going to be very very expensive when you haven't got guaranteed work.

I'm not sure of the prices of units in IOW but it sounds like before you've made any money you're going to be paying out about £1500 a month.

My detailing work hasn't picked up since winter due to so many other car washers opening up and not that many people in my area are interested in paint correction. We had a good run at it and made some good money last year but now we've moved on.
 
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-Ad- said:
And what is a paint system supplier, it sounds like you are spraying cars with their products or possibly using their products!?

If the latter is true then surely I could pickup 3 tonnes of 'Zmymeow Essential Virgin Body Microgranular Paste' and claim to be a preferred client.
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I'd guess at "paint system" being a stepped technique, each with it's own product. Unless it's a paint application system used in a bodyshop which seems a bit much to start off with.

If it were me, I'd be looking at the sealants like Wolfs, Nanolex and Gtechniq...I'd plump for Wolfs personally. Everybody likes the idea of a pin sharp, easy-to-care-for and super durable finish at a good price and I'd guess that market is far bigger compared to clients who want premium carnauba offerings.


peterattheboro said:
I've sat back and read most of this thread and now have to post.

Mike, good luck with your venture. But keep your outgoings to an ABSOLUTE minimum to start with and until you have a large client base. Now you're on about premises. This sounds like it's going to be very very expensive when you haven't got guaranteed work.
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I mentioned this briefly earlier...it's the path some of the more established guys took. No premises, working out of their car, staying at B&B's until they have that client base with retention. That said, I have no idea what £5k is to Mike, some people could view it as a small punt for the potential business.
 
ashrobbo said:
Mike,

Sounds like a lot of equipment your planning on buying or do you have this already?

Shouldn't you be buying this stuff after you've turned over a good amount of money to invest back into the business?

I assume you have completed some market research and aren't just getting a bit excited in what your buying before its actually required?

Id be worried about the reliability of any 3k VAN. If your charging several hundred pounds per job (which i guess you are) shouldn't you be looking at extending your budget a little, for something reliable? I'm not 'ofay' with tax rules but my brother who runs a roofing company changes his work van every 3 years because he can only claim tax back on a 3 yr old van? or something along those lines. I'm not 100% sure on this ^^.

Unless you plan on running to your clients with your water tank/generator/cloths etc id be upping the budget slightly.
Click to expand...

Are you guessing a £3k van will be unreliable or speaking from experience? I spent nearly four years driving around in two £3k transits, both were nothing but reliable apart from the odd wear and tear item.

Leasing a van would be quite efficient tax wise but in the early stages the need to keep outgoings as low as possible far outweigh this.
 
Fett said:
I'd guess at "paint system" being a stepped technique, each with it's own product. Unless it's a paint application system used in a bodyshop which seems a bit much to start off with.

If it were me, I'd be looking at the sealants like Wolfs, Nanolex and Gtechniq...I'd plump for Wolfs personally. Everybody likes the idea of a pin sharp, easy-to-care-for and super durable finish at a good price and I'd guess that market is far bigger compared to clients who want premium carnauba offerings.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right and I have gone for one of those three ;)
 
With £3k, I could lease a van for a year. It has nothing to do with lack of cash, but rather aiding success of the business by removing potential hurdles.
 
My old company bought a van for moving equipment between various offices, They spent 3k and it was a Vauxhall Combo/Combi? The thing was forever in and out of the garage having stuff done.

I'm not saying all 3k vans are financial suicide, but you get what you pay for surely?

Wouldn't renting/leasing be the best financial option? OK you don't own it, but atleast you can claim back tax relief and not have to worry about it as much?

I dare say a hire company would be able to get hold of a black van straight from their supplier.

Also have a look at this guy:

http://www.whitedetails.co.uk

Im pretty sure he started in a unit, and now has a van, couldnt tell you what but some of his work is just stunning
 
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Yes but if things aren't moving at a sufficient pace after one year then I'm stuck with a van that may not be making me enough money and I'm stuck with for 3 years.
 
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