Potential of van driver / average earning

alwaysfree143

warehouse wrote: »

Alwaysfree, I've been reading this with interest. Could you please keep it updated with how you get on?

I will...




Cheers

PintAndAPie

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

Yes I can only drive up to 3.5t --- C1 is up to 7.5t so was wondering if it may exceed the overall weight above 3.5t unintentionally so upgrading licence to C1 will be helpful - Will do it after I see the happy face of queen printed on piece of paper laying in my pocket.

To drive over 3.5t professionally you will also need your Drivers CPC qualification, 35 hours of training every 5 years.

Edwood_Woodwood

Interesting reading the replies.

My honest advice? Don't even bother, the costs are just too much these days, you'll always be paying out.

bugslet

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

Right,

So I finally had a touch of what Long wheel base van is like. It's so much light as compared to my expectations. It was fun driving it.

Any other alternative or should I stick to Ford Transit only? I am not going for Mercedes sprinter as if bugslet don't like after many years of experience, my experience is yet to begin

Can I say, told ya? Can I, can I????:D Give it 6 months and you'll be going shopping in the van, going on holiday in the van, cos cars are just not that nice to drive:p

My preference for other marques over the Sprinter is just personal, you might love them and they are a good van. See you've got a Transit, good base van, you will always sell it on, plenty of people can fix them.

Edwood_Woodwood wrote: »

Interesting reading the replies.

My honest advice? Don't even bother, the costs are just too much these days, you'll always be paying out.

As skivenov and Dig have said, it is mostly about the costs and working out your outgoings. After that, hard work and dose of good luck, which often follows the hard work;).

People were saying not to bother, costs too much etc 30 years ago, but I've made a living out of it and now have 20 staff over two bases. I'm not rich, but I'm comfortable, in work and my own boss and for a girl whose only qualifications are some language A levels and an forklift license, I feel I've done OK.

In fairness though, I've seen a lot of people try and fail, you really do have to be realistic about things.

Always free, I have no idea on costings for multi-drop work, but if you need any advice costing a single run, then you are welcome to PM.

w211

Remember, it's hard work multi-dropping and driving in London the whole day, especially the pressure when you got timed deliveries on board. I've done it a few times. Same day, or single runs are usually easier, though the miles rack up quicker.

alwaysfree143

Well now I am slightly confused about something

I finally purchased a van and got the right insurance but somebody told me to rather start removals business instead of courier service. I am all up for courier and was thinking to phone some companies again on monday but the guy told me about the potential of removals being as much as the courier with slightly less headache of multi-drop.

Anybody has experience with the removals company? and if I should contact the established removals companies first.. any name you can recommend?

Yorkie1

I can't see any established removals companies being interested in someone who has no experience or training in the field, and they also tend to use their own vans.

You need to sit down and do a proper business case for your different options, rather than jumping from one to another after committing yourself by spending money. It looks as though you haven't thought this through much - and you know the saying: fail to plan, plan to fail.

alwaysfree143

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I can't see any established removals companies being interested in someone who has no experience or training in the field, and they also tend to use their own vans.

You need to sit down and do a proper business case for your different options, rather than jumping from one to another after committing yourself by spending money. It looks as though you haven't thought this through much - and you know the saying: fail to plan, plan to fail.

That was just an idea,

Courier was the final decision. Already been accepted by point to point courier. I will start working with them tomorrow (monday) and see how it goes.

CKhalvashi

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

That was just an idea,

Courier was the final decision. Already been accepted by point to point courier. I will start working with them tomorrow (monday) and see how it goes.

Can I ask what you've bought (just from interest)

Our personal choice is the Sprinter, but unless you've going to be carting up to 7 pax plus band gear, our needs aren't the same as yours

alwaysfree143

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Can I ask what you've bought (just from interest)

Our personal choice is the Sprinter, but unless you've going to be carting up to 7 pax plus band gear, our needs aren't the same as yours

Ford Transit LWB, 2008 model with 106000 mileage for just 3000 pounds


Similar vans are often listed for 4500-5000 pounds but I seem to have got it cheap. I have a plan to upgrade to 2012/13 model after I have driven it for about 6-12 months or once I am fully satisfied with the job I am doing