What vehice do you use?

[ks789]

Yeh they can be a nightmare. yes the renewal letter with no claims years listed is all the proof they require as far as I know.  What I found strange was that Ive just bought a ford connect and to transfer my no claims to that I had to cancel my insurance with car first, so bit awkward for getting rid of the car. someone hopefully buying today, hope the 04 reg connect is reliable as the 03 reg nissan almera has been  : )

 

[paulben]

Get a good deal with Avviva about £550 for van and 4.0 discovery both insured for business use . .When van got written off a few years ago on Tuesday dinner time money in my bank by Friday morning .

 

[dmw]

I have been installing U.P.V.C Fascias, Soffits, Gutters and Cladding since 1986 and have had many different vehicles over the years,
currently using a Toyota Hiace with a custom made roof rack. I am able to lift the ladders onto the roofrack without having to get onto the roof.
This will be my last year installing as I am getting older and I get a lot of gutter clearing and conservatory cleaning requests.
 
I wont need a big van anymore as I will only take 1 ladder and 1 pair of steps with me.
 
What type of van do you use for window cleaning? Do any of you use a car?

Back in 1991 when I started up tradding,. I started with a 1987 Yugo Zastava van (don't laugh). Followed by......
1983 Passat estate
1985 Passat saloon
1987 Scirrocco cost me over (200 quid for roof rack and that was back then. big mistake)but nice car.
1993 Renault 5 brand new
1993 Passat estate growing family, ran it for 10 years best car I had.
1998 Audi Avant
2014 Touran wife now runs it
Now having gone Wfp I run a 2013 Peugeot Partner, which I hope to run for 10 years and probably replace for the same to see me to retirement.
Regarding insurance, I seldom keep the same insurer 2 years in a row as they don't value loyalty and generally try and fleece you.

 

[Trad-Man]

I have been installing U.P.V.C Fascias, Soffits, Gutters and Cladding since 1986 and have had many different vehicles over the years,
currently using a Toyota Hiace with a custom made roof rack. I am able to lift the ladders onto the roofrack without having to get onto the roof.
This will be my last year installing as I am getting older and I get a lot of gutter clearing and conservatory cleaning requests.
 
I wont need a big van anymore as I will only take 1 ladder and 1 pair of steps with me.
 
What type of van do you use for window cleaning? Do any of you use a car?

This is my vehicle and setup




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[Squeegee Dan]

I've always used small vans mostly kangoos but I've got a LWB vivaro now and it's the best thing I've ever bought... looks more professional and I can keep everything in there

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[lbcleaningservices]

So I'm currently looking for a van
I used to trad everything but i mixed it up now. Wfp and trad
Is it better to go with a bigger van incase i put a tank in there? Or go middle range? Any help be appreciated [emoji3]

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[paulben]

If I went for a big van I would find something to fill it with ( got 2 garages and 3 sheds and cannot walk in any of them )

 

[CM Cleaning Services]

I went with hi top lwb transit after working for other companies and finding equipment always cramped in its great having plenty space should I need extra equipment some time

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[lbcleaningservices]

I went with hi top lwb transit after working for other companies and finding equipment always cramped in its great having plenty space should I need extra equipment some time

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Do you find it looks really empty?

I was thinkin about a long wheel base
Citroën Dispatch something like that?

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[CM Cleaning Services]

Not really as I have my Wfp system , jet wash , ladders and other essential equipment so fills up slowly but everything has a place and looks tidy if I'm working with back doors open

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[lbcleaningservices]

Think at moment transit mite be little to big at moment few years time who knows thoughs
It's difficult to pick really nightmare lol

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[Steve E]

Thanks for the replies, interesting to hear what vehicles you use.

I use a VW caddy. It has a side door. I can put ladders onto roof bars standing on ground then step onto side of van to fix my rhino ladder clamps.

One disadvantage of van over a car is 240 road tax. But even though it's a pain to empty it comes in so useful for shifting stuff.

 

[ECS Windows]

I'm in a kangoo, great for parking but not so great for payload and poles. Def going bigger next time!

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[rugbywolf]

When I bought my Hiace from an auction a few years back the accountant I was paying at the time tried to deduct the total cost of the van for that tax year, the HMRC told me it had to be spread out over a number of years. I no longer use that Accountant.

As I will be changing my work from UPVC installer to Gutter/Conservatory cleaning I can expect a big pay drop, and I understand you can earn 11,500 before tax becomes an issue.

No, with big items it's deducted over four years, I think it called 'counting down', it can be advantageous if you add other big items over the next few year because this figure will become bigger, which will go against your tax. I'm not sure if the figure of 11500 is correct, I'm retired (although I still work) and my allowance is 10000, which is supposed to be more than a 'working person'. 

 

[Skxawng]

I assume you're thinking of a car as it's closer to the ground and easier to get ladders on and off. If you're going to be focusing on gutter cleans, you'll be needing your long ladders which may be an awkward length for a smaller car. Estate car would get them on as the roof bars are spread further apart. There are car derived vans that are low like the astra van as well.

 

[paulben]

When does something count as big items  a brand new van yes but what about a second hand van for £1000.Think tax allowance went up to £11500 this tax year

 

[Redditch windy]

you can buy a 2nd van no problems and use the annual investment allowance to get full tax relief on it,but when you sell it later you have to show it as disposal of an asset and pax tax on what youve sold it for. buying new you can spread the cost over several years

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