Tips for keeping your work van tidy and organised.
No matter which trade you’re in, having an untidy work van can cost you a lot of time and effort. It is quite likely adding to your daily frustration. The good news is that there are a range of things that you can do to reduce this. Keeping your work van tidy can be quite simple. Having a good quality storage solution in place and building every-day habits (putting things tools and equipment back in their right place after you use them) is a good place to start. Check out our helpful tips below for keeping your work van tidy.
1) Declutter your work van
It seems like an obvious suggestion, but it’s easy to accumulate a lot of junk when you’re using the van every day. We all know a tradesperson whose front cab can end up messier than the back. Dirty boots, empty food wrappers, invoices and receipts; it can all have an impact of how people view you and your business. A dirty van, a messy tradesperson. All this mess can also have a negative impact on your mental health. So it is time to declutter your van and free up some space in your mind for the jobs that pay.
A long term declutter will really help. Especially in today’s climate where we need to be wiping down surfaces and removing potential dirt collectors daily. Keep a plastic bag for rubbish on the door or behind the seat, and some anti-bacterial wipes in the glove compartment. We don’t expect a complete Hinch job with labelling everything, but you’ll be thankful for the organisation on a busy day. You’ll be spending time in a clean environment where everything is easy to reach and find. Concentration levels will rise and stress levels will fall. And, Breathe!
2) Check and update your inventory regularly
Regular stock checks are a great way to stay organised. Keeping key components stocked up will really help your efficiency and help you free up your time. There’s nothing worse than getting to a job and realising you may not have what you for the job. Especially need when you know you could’ve picked on your way to the client or ordered from Mr Central Heating for a quick delivery.
Another great tip for you is considering the location of your storage. Keep items you reach for often near the rear doors or side doors. That way you don’t have to be climbing over products to get to them. A great hack would be to install hooks or shelves on van doors and walls to keep smaller items accessible. If you’re worried about them moving about when you’re driving you can also use Velcro to stick them down or use another hook and tie them to the wall.
3) Storage solutions for your work van
Having specific places for your tools and products will save you so much time and effort in the long run. Install shelving, hooks and boxes to create perfect storage options for whatever you need. You can also print labels so that you never get confused although this does rely on you being organised. However, you will have to keep consistent with your organisation so that you don’t want to end up right back where you started.
You can purchase dedicated van racking systems and tool storage solutions that will help keep your van interior tidy. These can be a very efficient storage system, especially if they are purpose built for you van. If you have a popular, new van like a Ford Transit then you'll be able to find a purpose-built solution for your commercial vehicle. If you don't want to spend the money on van storage or expensive van shelving, then you can make a decent storage solution yourself with some ply or pegboard that you can attach to the interior walls of your van. Another storage idea is to use simple storage containers to keep things inside of.
Protect yourself from potential van thefts
Protecting your work van from theft is crucial for safeguarding your tools and livelihood. Consider investing in a robust alarm system and steering wheel lock to deter potential thieves. Always park your van in well-lit areas and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. If possible, install a tracking device to increase your chances of recovery in case of theft. Additionally, mark your tools with a unique identifier to discourage resale and aid in identification if stolen. Having your most expensive hand tools together in a box or tool bag will make it easier to bring them indoors each evening too.
Remember, taking proactive measures to secure your van can significantly reduce the risk of theft and protect your business assets. If you want to know more, check out our post about how you can protect your van from theft.
Final Thoughts
Generally, we would recommend removing any expensive power tools to a garage overnight. However, if that is not possible you can get locking storage solutions which can at least slow down any potential thieves from stealing your equipment. A storage box could make it easier for you to remove these items from your van at the end of the day. It also means they can be stored tidily inside your home or garage.
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