5 reasons why you should start a Man and Van business

December 29, 2021

AnyVan in the centre of Chinatown

If 2020 taught us anything, it was that technology has the power to bring the world closer together. For some, the unpredictability of the year led to searches for additional streams of income.

Recently, those who already own a van have started to realise that they can guarantee themselves a steady source of revenue by forming their own man and van type business. 

At first, this prospect may seem daunting. But, if you put in the hard work and the hours that go with it, you can quickly reap the rewards.

If you have ever wondered why you should start a man and van type business, then you have come to the right place. 

Here are five reasons why we think you should take the plunge:

You already own a van

Setting up as a delivery driver is comparatively easier than flying solo in any other industry, as effectively, all you require is yourself and a van - and you’ve got that covered! 

Of course, there are other variables, such as insurance, that you will need before you can get going, but the main components of the business are already available to you.

Plus, you can start and run your business from the comfort of your own home with the help of a smartphone and a working internet connection.

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Choose your customers

The industry presents different job opportunities tailored to your individual preference, but the fundamentals stay the same.

Driving opens the door to a broad scope of work, ranging from delivering small items to industrial goods or helping someone move to the other end of the country.

The varied nature of the job also allows you to decide on a niche that you can tailor your services to - you have the power to target your business to a diverse consumer market, or you can work in an entirely business-to-business marketplace.

Access to a steady stream of work

The services offered by man and van businesses will always be in demand, especially considering the increase in demand for second-hand goods on sites such as eBay, FreeAds and Gumtree. 

By signing up to AnyVan, you can ensure you maximise your profit on every mile travelled, as well as access to our community of over eight million movers.

By ensuring you treat the delivery items with respect and consistently provide a good service, customers will leave you positive reviews and feedback. 

The better your feedback on the AnyVan site, the greater your chances of obtaining future work with ease.

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Work the hours you want

The man and van industry is a great industry to break into, as it offers high levels of flexibility. 

Being self-employed presents you with a lot more flexibility compared to traditional jobs. 

You get to make the calls on the deliveries you make, the scale of your business operations and most importantly, the hours you work.

As your business develops, you can rest assured that you will remain in control and can therefore choose whether to expand or remain a small, independent team of one.

Maximise your profits on every mile you travel

A common reason people are hesitant to set up man and van businesses is down to the prospect of long return journeys with empty vans, especially considering the increasing fuel price.

Usually, these occur on the journey home, as they haven’t organised any deliveries for the return route.

Findings from the Department for Transport showed that a little over 31% of vans ran empty throughout the UK in 2020, whilst 30% of trucks also travelled with no load.

 AnyVan has taken steps to address this issue by providing a system that helps our man and van businesses easily locate jobs along their return route. By picking up delivery jobs along the way, you know your time - and mileage - is not going to waste.

Once your business is running, why not register as a transport provider with AnyVan and get access to the thousands of delivery jobs waiting for you?