What Vehicle Works Best for a Contractor Working on Houses

Februar 20, 2022 Kommentar veröffentlichen

The right vehicle can make running a handyman business easier, more than profitable, and more than fun.

So let's talk near what the best vehicle for a handyman business is.

In this article, I'thou going to break downwardly the various available options and the pros and cons of each.

Then, you tin can read the 70+ comments from other pros who share their opinions in the annotate section at the bottom of the folio.

Let's jump right in.

Handyman Vehicle Options

Most pro handymen bulldoze a work van, a pickup truck, or a truck and trailer philharmonic.

I've heard from several handymen who say a van is easily downwardly the all-time choice.

But I've heard from others who tow a minor trailer to store their tools and equipment and love the actress space.

handyman business trailer

I drive a Nissan Titan rex cab equipped with two lockable truck bed toolboxes, which works not bad for me. I like that I can park it in my garage, it's easy to drive and park, and I like the minimalist nature of a simple pickup.

I've even seen a handyman that collection a Honda Pilot. I actually watched this guy rebuild an entire fence for my neighbor by taking small loads of forest with his Pilot. Non platonic, but information technology shows that y'all can make just about anything piece of work if necessary.

Or, check out this post from the Handyman Marketing Motorcar private Facebook grouping. He is converting an onetime ambulance into a vehicle for his handyman armada.

Ambulance as work truck

I've also heard from pros who operate from mini-vans, hatch-backs, and Suburbans.

But the question remains…What is the best overall vehicle?

Beneath I've written out the pros and cons of each type of vehicle to help shed some calorie-free. Check it out, and fiftyet me know what yous think is best in the comments at the bottom of the page.

Truck, Van, or Truck with Trailer. Which is amend?

Pickup Truck

Advantages

Good gas mileage – at least compared to other options.
Looks good – Trucks look cool, vans don't.
Good Ride – I like the style a truck drives meliorate than a top-heavy van.
You lot can exit the chemicals in the back and not have to smell them while driving.
Tin park in about home garages.
Versatility – you tin can haul just almost annihilation you would demand to as a handyman.
Easy to load lumber.
Easy to make clean.
Can use as a personal vehicle as well.

Disadvantages

Not as much room for tools. You usually cease upwards loading and unloading tools every day and for individual jobs.
Tools and common supplies are less attainable, which tin slow yous down.
Any is in the back is open to the elements. This is a problem if you live in a rainy climate. But, could be solved with a camper shell.
Limited space for vinyl stickers and branding.
Any tools in the bed are susceptible to theft.

A pickup truck has a lot of advantages. I especially similar how I tin use it as my personal vehicle as well. But the lack of storage and access to tools and supplies is a big downside. I've developed a organization over time where I have a series of toolboxes in my back seat, but I can meet how having a van or a trailer would give me more than space and a permanent place to store tools. That would salve me a lot of time each mean solar day from having to load and unload tools and supplies. Information technology would also help me avoid forgetting to bring an essential tool on the job.

Van

Advantages

Abundant storage space.
Better for organizing supplies and tools.
Fantabulous for branding/advertising. Pretty much a driving billboard.
Easier admission to tools.
Tool Security.
Keeps everything out of the elements, which is especially nice in rainy areas.

Disadvantages

Can't park in near dwelling garages.
Typically get bad gas mileage.
Non ideal for trips to the dump.
Limited room for lumber.
You are in the same air space as whatever chemicals you are conveying.
Not good as a personal vehicle, which ways yous'd need a dedicated piece of work vehicle.

Clearly, a vans forcefulness is in the amount of stuff y'all tin can pack into it. A well-stocked van is pretty much a mini hardware shop. Everything has a place and y'all never accept to end and call up near what tools you demand before you go considering they're already loaded. I can besides encounter a van being extremely efficient because everything would be easier to access and you are less likely to get out tools at home that you demand for a job.

Truck and Trailer

Advantages

Workshop on wheels – Yous can gear up upward a workbench inside.
Storage – Can haul larger items plus more tools and supplies allowing you to stock more materials. If managed well this could reduce trips to the store.
Fantabulous for branding/advertizing.
Good for dump loads.
Easily load lumber.
More efficient to work out of one time you get to the client's home.
Doubles as a personal vehicle. All of your company brandings tin be on the trailer and then all y'all accept to do is unhitch your trailer to utilize your truck as a personal vehicle.

Disadvantages

Maneuverability and parking are more challenging. Not ideal for densely populated urban areas where parking is a claiming.
Requires a secure place to store the trailer.
Gas mileage is the everyman of whatsoever option.
An actress ready of tires and more than maintenance are required.

The truck and trailer combo pretty much has it all, but it comes with the cost of being difficult to maneuver and store. When y'all are driving to three to five houses each mean solar day, y'all'll have to spend more time parking. And, while having a workshop on wheels tin can be more than efficient, if you can't park close to your client'due south home, that benefit is negated by the extra time walking between your truck and the customer's house.

If you are more often than not doing larger jobs similar kitchen and bathroom remodels, then a truck and trailer is probably the ideal setup. Just if y'all're doing up to 3 jobs each day, then a smaller, more maneuverable vehicle is a ameliorate selection.

What is the all-time vehicle for you lot?

Let's talk almost a few factors to consider when making the correct choice for you…

What services do you offer? If you're doing mostly small repairs and installations like TV Wall Mounts that don't require hauling large items, then a van is probably best. If y'all do bigger jobs a truck and trailer combo is probable ideal. If you do a mix of the two then merely a pickup is the well-nigh versatile choice.
Who are your customers? If y'all live in a densely populated urban area, then a truck and trailer would be my last pick. Besides, a pickup wouldn't be ideal either because you'd accept to worry almost theft. A van is probably best in urban areas where you are servicing a lot of condos, apartments, and other high-ascent buildings.
Are yous running your business full-time? It's hard to justify a dedicated work vehicle if yous are only working part-time. In this case, even if a van was a more than ideal choice, it may make more sense to drive the pickup you already have as a work vehicle and proceed information technology elementary.

Honestly, if yous are new to the handyman business, the best vehicle for you is probably the one you already accept. Getting a new truck or van correct off the bat can add a lot of boosted fiscal stress that yous just don't need while starting upwardly. There are plenty startup costs.

I remember when I showtime started my concern I was concerned nigh whether or not I'd exist able to work out of my truck efficiently. I started with a 2006 Nissan Titan king cab that was completely stock. No toolboxes in the dorsum or annihilation. I would merely throw in whatsoever tools I needed for the job I was doing and head out for the chore.

Since then the only upgrades I've made are the addition of a couple of toolboxes in the bed. I've considered adding a rack and then I can carry longer lumber, simply so far I've found this equally non-essential.

Truck Toolbox for Handyman

Personally, I'll stick to a truck for my handyman business. It has the most advantages for my situation and doesn't limit the services that I offer. When I'm hauling stains, epoxies, or other chemicals, I tin can throw them in the back and not have to inhale the fumes. If I'm loading several sheets of plywood like I did terminal week, I can hands throw them in the back of the truck. I also save a lot of money by using information technology for a personal vehicle.

Storage for small tools and hardware is a bit of an effect and my truck tends to go pretty messy by the cease of the day, just I'yard pretty sure a van would go just as disorganized.

Of course, this is only my stance.

What do you think? Please share your experience in the comments below.