Renting your van to others

[VWC]

I have a colleague who is looking to start his own window cleaning business but he can't afford to buy a van and on a whole he was quite shocked when I told him the price of my SLX 30. He's talking about leasing a van while he builds a round and is selling his car to pay for the gear.

That's where I thought of the idea of letting him rent my van when it's not in use. Does anyone here have any experience of that?

Any breakdown on cost, budgets, tax, insurance etc and potential pitfalls would be most appreciated.

 

[Part Timer]

He can't insure it so you will have to do that. You will have to ensure he has Insurance as if the van has your name on then you'll be liable for any damage. Is he going for be insured for loss of earnings if he writes the van off. To many unknowns to be worthwhile

 

[Iron Giant]

As above to my unknowns and he won't treat your van and equipment as you would you might get a big shock which could end up costing you money and your reputation .

I don't like my wife driving my truck as I know she doesn't know drive as carefully as me and we have been married nearly 17 years :rofl:

 

[Clisty1989]

I have a colleague who is looking to start his own window cleaning business but he can't afford to buy a van and on a whole he was quite shocked when I told him the price of my SLX 30. He's talking about leasing a van while he builds a round and is selling his car to pay for the gear.
That's where I thought of the idea of letting him rent my van when it's not in use. Does anyone here have any experience of that?

Any breakdown on cost, budgets, tax, insurance etc and potential pitfalls would be most appreciated.

Instead of renting the van, he could use his car, get a hybrid pole and backpack, few containers and he can buy water off you, cost about £300. Then once hes established a round and saves up he can get a van and van mount. I use a car with no problems

 

[noddy]

as above its a legal night mare with insurance , we have feet cover so were able to drive any van that on lease to use how ever you pay a lot more for this ,

if he pulls funny faces at the price of a slx then hes going to dies at the price of a clutch with a duel mass fly wheel so I would stop away , its great to help someone out but it may come back and bite you hard if your vans off the road

also it real terms he only got a 40% of getting a half a good round with the amount of new guys there is turning up everyday thinking there going to take over the world yet last less then a year when they can only pick up rubbish under priced work

hes your mate until he get skint and once hes leant the trade he will be all over your work if he gets a sniff on it , doesn't matter how much talking you do in your dinner time once he starts to struggle its all bets are off

 

[David K]

Van /wife ! Same rule ! Dont rent them out !

 

[strech]

Dooh rented my wife out came back with £10.05 I said who gave you the 5p she said they all did !!!!!!!!!

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Not a chance!

You're van get' wrapped around a telegraph pole (not cause your mates a ******, just cause shite happens) then how long are you and mate arguing for as to whom is paying all damages and how much compo are you going to get from your mate for loss of earnings whilst putting another van together?

My van is my life, no one drives but me!

 

[luca]

Van /wife ! Same rule ! Dont rent them out !

I'm happy to rent the wife by the hour [emoji85][emoji85]... or on the long term!! I'll pay for food and hotels too to get her out my hair [emoji85][emoji23]

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[VWC]

To clarify, I'm not having him working any of my rounds. It would be him building his own round while hiring my van on days when it would sit idle anyway. Although there being an element of helping him out it's about me making hay while I'm not out working. A mutually beneficial arrangement so to speak.

My old man who used to be in the leasing business warned me about "surprises" when a vehicle comes back but the difference here would be that it's someone I know who returns it to base at the end of his day. Good points on the insurance. That does seem like a nightmare and is probably the decisive stumbling block.

All things considered I think it's easier to not do it.

Thank you all for your help and advice!

 

[richb77]

All points made I think are valid and agree with the reluctance to rent out the van due to insurance. Just to add one other thing if say for whatever reason either of you get behind, who has the van?? Do you as it's yours or him as it's his agreed day. Just a thought. Nice to help out but could cause more issues.

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[Clisty1989]

To clarify, I'm not having him working any of my rounds. It would be him building his own round while hiring my van on days when it would sit idle anyway. Although there being an element of helping him out it's about me making hay while I'm not out working. A mutually beneficial arrangement so to speak.
My old man who used to be in the leasing business warned me about "surprises" when a vehicle comes back but the difference here would be that it's someone I know who returns it to base at the end of his day. Good points on the insurance. That does seem like a nightmare and is probably the decisive stumbling block.

All things considered I think it's easier to not do it.

Thank you all for your help and advice!

As said. What happens if he has an accident and its a write off? If you really wanna help him, loan him £300, along with a contract to repay over 3 months, or buy a hybrid pole and backpack and lease it to him for £x p/w, I assume you produce your own pure so sell or give him water until he's sorted. A van is probably bottom of the need list if starting out, a car will suffice. I've been using a car for the last 2 year, 9 months of that wfp. @daveyboy I know has done it for years

 

[Dave B]

As said. What happens if he has an accident and its a write off? If you really wanna help him, loan him £300, along with a contract to repay over 3 months, or buy a hybrid pole and backpack and lease it to him for £x p/w, I assume you produce your own pure so sell or give him water until he's sorted. A van is probably bottom of the need list if starting out, a car will suffice. I've been using a car for the last 2 year, 9 months of that wfp. @daveyboy I know has done it for years

I did use my car wfp for over a year and a half and now have a kangoo van

I have tradded for years with vans estates and hatchbacks with no problems but wfp is easier from a van although if you set it up right it is ok from a car

 

[VWC]

I pointed at his perfectly adequate estate car yesterday and said he can easily fit a trolley and a small tank in the back of that. Instead of the 2 grand in the back of my van he'd be looking at a few hundred which would get him started. He nixed that on the spot based on professional pride which is fair enough I guess. Could be argued beggars can't be choosers but it's not for me to judge.

I've made my decision on this van hiring malarkey and I'm out.

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[Clisty1989]

I pointed at his perfectly adequate estate car yesterday and said he can easily fit a trolley and a small tank in the back of that. Instead of the 2 grand in the back of my van he'd be looking at a few hundred which would get him started. He nixed that on the spot based on professional pride which is fair enough I guess. Could be argued beggars can't be choosers but it's not for me to judge.
I've made my decision on this van hiring malarkey and I'm out.

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

Sounds like he wants everything done for him. If he did start out, I doubt he'd last long

 

[Dave B]

I pointed at his perfectly adequate estate car yesterday and said he can easily fit a trolley and a small tank in the back of that. Instead of the 2 grand in the back of my van he'd be looking at a few hundred which would get him started. He nixed that on the spot based on professional pride which is fair enough I guess. Could be argued beggars can't be choosers but it's not for me to judge.
I've made my decision on this van hiring malarkey and I'm out.

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Professional pride doesn't come into it

If i was just starting out i would have pride in the fact i was working whatever vehicle it was and then even more proud when i had built it up to a point where i need and can afford a van and system..too many people want it on a plate but it doesn't work like that

 

[Dave B]

When i first started changing from trad to stick waggling i was working from my astra car

8 drums in the boot. 1 in the passenger footwell and this reel with homemade pump box attatched and just dropped the supply hose in a barrel

Not exactly hard to do

 

[VWC]

Sounds like he wants everything done for him. If he did start out, I doubt he'd last long

Well that's it. I mean I hear stories of people starting out with the most limited means and while it's funny sometimes it's also admirable how determined some are and that must always be respected. Like the bloke who started with a back pack and a bike. What a trooper!

I think he's had an idea but doesn't know anything and the more he finds out the less it matches his expectations.

In my limited experience so far I'd say the actual window cleaning is the easy bit whereas the rest takes patience and determination. Time will tell how it works out for him.

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[Clisty1989]

Well that's it. I mean I hear stories of people starting out with the most limited means and while it's funny sometimes it's also admirable how determined some are and that must always be respected. Like the bloke who started with a back pack and a bike. What a trooper!
I think he's had an idea but doesn't know anything and the more he finds out the less it matches his expectations.

In my limited experience so far I'd say the actual window cleaning is the easy bit whereas the rest takes patience and determination. Time will tell how it works out for him.

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Could always take him out for the day, and absolutely hammer it round, bet he doesn't last the day

 

[VWC]

Professional pride doesn't come into itIf i was just starting out i would have pride in the fact i was working whatever vehicle it was and then even more proud when i had built it up to a point where i need and can afford a van and system..too many people want it on a plate but it doesn't work like that

Hear hear!

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[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

This is the tale of where I began.

Didnt even own a ladder. Borrowed one from next door. Hunger soon surpasses pride.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LtX8hv_1CQ[/media]