Removal Truck Parking?

[Ar808]

I was thinking of trying removals and the first major questions is where to park a box truck.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions, I assume you can't park certain sizes say 7.5 tonnes on a residential street such as mine?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

If your under 3.5 tonnes gross weight you can leave it anywhere
Over 7.5 tonnes you will need a designated parking space and run an operators license.
Getting and running the license is a lot more involved than finding a parking space/ operators centre.

Notice I did not mention between 3.5 and 7.5
These types of vehicles are so rare that they are not worth mentioning

 

[Ar808]

If your under 3.5 tonnes gross weight you can leave it anywhere
Over 7.5 tonnes you will need a designated parking space and run an operators license.
Getting and running the license is a lot more involved than finding a parking space/ operators centre.

Notice I did not mention between 3.5 and 7.5
These types of vehicles are so rare that they are not worth mentioning

Yeh I remember about operators licenses now, quite a task to get one also.

So is this project viable for under 7.5 tonnes, there seem to be loads of competition, I'd likely get a small job here and there but nothing regular etc.

Could you do this with a transit, I guess the answer Is obvious, you could if you could fit all the items in the van and if anybody would pay you to do so.

Is it realistic though?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

You need a van with a lift on the back to load those heavy or awkward items

 

[MBE2017]

So is this project viable for under 7.5 tonnes, there seem to be loads of competition, I'd likely get a small job here and there but nothing regular etc.

Could you do this with a transit, I guess the answer Is obvious, you could if you could fit all the items in the van and if anybody would pay you to do so.

Is it realistic though?

I used to specialise in light moves as I called them, single people, or couples in flats to two to three bedroom houses. Personally I think this is a huge market, there is a reason why there is a lot of competition, there are a lot of regular moves, including people splitting up etc. Add to that students etc and I think it is much easier to get regular removals as a new starter in that sector.

I used MWB high top Mercedes Sprinters myself, which are a real boon in busy roads compared to parking a larger vehicle.

What clients you get will be determined by your marketing, but the light removals is plagued by illegally operated guys earning extra in work vehicles etc. Eventually a great reputation overcomes most problems, but you need to charge correctly with today’s high running costs of insurances, fuel and depreciation.

I cannot advise on the larger huge moves too much, I tended to make multiple trips or sub contract out for larger removals, you tend to find only one or two big local guys, with a few larger National names get the lions share in that market, built on decades of hard work.

 

[MBE2017]

You need a van with a lift on the back to load those heavy or awkward items

No, you do not, but it can be nice to have them at times.

 

[Paul Norman]

Obviously, the issue of an O license is relevant, but the parking thing is actually quite important.

If you park even a modest van right outside someone's house, although that is legal, people do get a bit narked about it.

And also, parked vans get a bit of attention from the criminal sector, too.

I would, personally, be looking for someone with a bit of a spare parking spot in their yard.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Paul beat me to it!

In addition to legalities, you need to consider social and security (and potentially insurance) aspects.

Many of the smaller removal companies operate high-roof/luton vans - a low floor might actually be more useful than a tail lift.

As you have hit on, be sure to pick a quality niche with people who actually want to pay - stay away from 'cheapest quote' business.

 

[Ar808]

I used to specialise in light moves as I called them, single people, or couples in flats to two to three bedroom houses. Personally I think this is a huge market, there is a reason why there is a lot of competition, there are a lot of regular moves, including people splitting up etc. Add to that students etc and I think it is much easier to get regular removals as a new starter in that sector.

I used MWB high top Mercedes Sprinters myself, which are a real boon in busy roads compared to parking a larger vehicle.

What clients you get will be determined by your marketing, but the light removals is plagued by illegally operated guys earning extra in work vehicles etc. Eventually a great reputation overcomes most problems, but you need to charge correctly with today’s high running costs of insurances, fuel and depreciation.

I cannot advise on the larger huge moves too much, I tended to make multiple trips or sub contract out for larger removals, you tend to find only one or two big local guys, with a few larger National names get the lions share in that market, built on decades of hard work.

Why did you stop with removals if you did?

Would you advertise yourself as light removals, how would you describe that, in terms of cubic feet I suppose, the last thing you want is to come across as a cowboy.

 

[UrbanRetail]

My brother-in-law operates in this sector and uses only low-loader Lutons.

His are kept in the yard of a roofing company, tucked away in the corner. Although they're not too obnoxious to park on a side street.

 

[WaveJumper]

Must bump up your van insurance if your just parked up in the street?

 

[MBE2017]

Why did you stop with removals if you did?

Would you advertise yourself as light removals, how would you describe that, in terms of cubic feet I suppose, the last thing you want is to come across as a cowboy.

Unfortunately I had rheumatoid arthritis start after a few years, and I knew it was only a matter of time before things would become very painful. A guy asked to buy myself out at just the right time and that made my decision easier.

I simply advertised small light moves, up to three bedroom houses, etc. The public do not think in cubic meters, I would just talk to them and work out which vehicle to use, but specialised in single loads most of the time. I also charged high, on the back of always being on time, totally reliable, never quitting on a job, even if it overan. Once you get 50/100 great honest testimonials people decide on using you before even calling. I had many people use myself several times each year. I only advertised online, normally for free, plus eBay.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

These types of vehicles are so rare that they are not worth mentioning

On the contrary, the relatively new class of 4.5 to 6.5t vehicles based upon 3.5t designs (Iveco Daily for example) are extremely popular, although they all come under the 7.5t licence and O license regime you describe. It's about time this was changed- as it is, every builder and his dog is running around in a Transit half a ton minimum overweight a lot of the time. These modern vehicles are as easy to drive as a Transit and much safer with the weight. We need a new class for non haulage applications, without the ballache of O licensing and tests that nobody can book currently.

They offer more payload than a traditional 7.5t lorry, as well as better road handling, suspension and a big variety of different body shapes.

If I ever go down the O licence route it will be with something like an Iveco 6.5t hookloader. More payload than a regular 7.5t lorry, and I can actually fit it onto the customers drive!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

On the contrary, the relatively new class of 4.5 to 6.5t vehicles based upon 3.5t designs (Iveco Daily for example) are extremely popular, although they all come under the 7.5t licence and O license regime you describe.

Not in my little world

 

[fisicx]

One of the estates nearby has a covenant stopping trade vehicles from parking anywhere. So we get white vans parking all over the place. They are always getting nicked. And everyone is fed up with them parking outside their houses, often making access difficult.

 

[Paul Norman]

Likewise, there is a covenant here that says the same thing. It is widely ignored. But theft of, or from, a van is a fairly regular event.