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By Marcus Luce
For plumbers and heating professionals, choosing the right commercial vehicle is vital to maximize operational efficiency. All business owners strive to provide their team with the tools and processes to set them up for success—so it’s important that your commercial vehicle selection is closely aligned with your specific needs.
There are numerous considerations to make when deciding what commercial vehicle will best suit your business. In this article, we cover the best commercial vehicle options for plumbers and heating professionals and share tips to achieve peak productivity.
Let’s Talk Service
As a plumber or heating professional, what is your main objective? For many in this industry, the top priority and ultimate goal is to provide exceptional service. There are many ways to improve the services that you provide to customers, including the vehicle you use.
Not having enough space in the van to fit all the equipment needed for a job is going to cause problems—and your customers will not be pleased. Therefore, it is important to find a vehicle that is designed specifically for the wide array of services that your business provides.
Top Considerations
The process of selecting the right vehicle for your business can feel overwhelming at first. Fortunately, the right work van exists for every plumber or heating professional. Start by taking a close look at the specific requirements that are necessary to your business operations, including:
Storage
Having the proper storage capabilities is paramount for plumbers and heating professionals. Selecting a van with shelving can be beneficial for storing PVC and iron pipe, whereas adding portable storage toolboxes can make it easier to hold other parts like shower valves and faucets. Plumbers and heating professionals often move equipment/parts in and out of their vehicles based on what they have on their schedule for the day. Therefore, your van storage should be customized for your needs and flexible enough to handle different jobs.
Location & Average Distance Traveled
Think about a typical day of work. If your business operates in a rural area that requires driving long distances, you likely want to prioritize gas mileage and durability. On the other hand, if you operate in a busy city filled with traffic, you instead might opt for finding a compact van that maximizes every inch of storage space.
Roof Height
Consider how you will access parts in the middle to back portions of your van. In a vehicle with a low roof, you may have to get on your knees and maneuver around anything on the floor to access what you need. On the other hand, a higher roof will permit you to stand up comfortably to access parts or even to work inside. Plumbers with high-roof vans additionally have greater stacking capabilities to safely travel with large cargo such as water heaters or bathtubs.
Towing Capacity
Some plumbers and heating professionals have jobs that will require trailers for towing. Your vehicle’s towing capacity is a measurement of how much it can pull on a trailer. Be sure to consider if you’ll need towing capability, and if so, what you will be towing and how much it will weigh.
Upfitting
Plan for the future of your business and the needs that may arise with growth over time. If you hope to upgrade your vehicle at some point, be sure to select a vehicle that has upfitting capabilities.
New vs. Used
Weigh the pros and cons of choosing a new versus a used commercial vehicle. A new vehicle won’t need any initial repairs, but it will be more costly upfront. On the other hand, a used vehicle may save you money now, but could be costly in the long run when faced with wear and tear.
Commercial Vehicle Types
Cargo Vans
Cargo vans such as the Ford Transit are often ideal for plumbers who do not perform any work inside the van itself. They offer plenty of storage space to allow for easy transport for a large quantity of tools. Having an enclosed space is also ideal for protecting anything that is stored regularly. Moreover, cargo vans are reliable vehicles with minimal maintenance costs.
Sprinter & High Clearance Vans
Like cargo vans, both sprinter and high clearance vans are ideal for plumbing and heating professionals that use a significant number of tools and parts. These vans are good fits for technicians who are either on the taller side, or who perform some work inside the van and need to be able to comfortably stand up.
Utility Vans
Otherwise known as a service van, utility vans are designed for efficient organization and offer more options for customization. These vans provide top-notch security for plumbing and heating professionals carrying parts, tools, and equipment to job sites. They have dedicated overhead storge space to fit various lengths of pipe, as well as secure storage compartments on both the inside and outside of the vehicle.
Electric Vans
Advancements in technology have led to an increase in the availability and affordability of electric vehicles (EVs). Major OEMs such as Ford and GM have committed to producing a wide array of new EV models for work trucks. A major benefit of choosing an EV is that it will reduce the total cost of ownership—you will reap the benefits of lower fuel costs and less maintenance! Plumbers or heating professionals that invest in an EV today will be pioneers in their respective industries.
Upkeep Tips
Regardless of the vehicle you select for your business needs, there are other best practices to implement that will aid in improving your operational efficiency. Use these tips and tricks to stay organized and better serve your customers:
· Clean out your vehicle at the end of every workday
· Implement a monthly major clean out
· Keep stock items in order
· Keep up with restocking
· Leave space on the floor for water heaters, appliances, etc.
· Keep a travel box handy with the essentials for common jobs
· Consider racks and shelving upfit options
· Hang wrenches and screwdrivers on a magnetic strip
· Check inventory regularly to ensure you have not lost tools
Operating with a high quality commercial vehicle is crucial to the success of any plumbing or heating business. The right commercial vehicle for your unique business needs will make your employees happier and more productive, which will in turn lead to higher customer satisfaction—a true win-win!
Marcus Luce serves as the Director of Logistics Partnership at Merchants Fleet. In his role, he works with various companies serving the last mile space and collaborates with last mile clients on upfitting, identifying, and acquiring the right assets, fleet planning, and consulting. He also leads the commercial sales team which sells commercial vehicles nationwide at Merchants Auto located in Hooksett, NH.