Self-employed couriering for a living
Discussion
I find myself likely to be made redundant in the next few months and am contemplating a change of direction from a desk job in the legal world to some form of self-employment, ideally without too much investment in retraining. One of my thoughts has been to buy a van, put an ad in the local paper, shop windows, eBay and so on, offering light couriering. I'm not likely to go down the large furniture/ home removals route as I'd need to pay for help.
I'm based in south London but I'd prefer not to be just tearing around central London for eight hours a day but perhaps doing longer journeys across the south-east and even nationally.
If anyone had any experience of this such is it actually a viable way to make a living or am I in fantasy land? What are the pitfalls? How much should I charge?
Essentially any advice would add to my knowledge and help me make a decision.
I'm based in south London but I'd prefer not to be just tearing around central London for eight hours a day but perhaps doing longer journeys across the south-east and even nationally.
If anyone had any experience of this such is it actually a viable way to make a living or am I in fantasy land? What are the pitfalls? How much should I charge?
Essentially any advice would add to my knowledge and help me make a decision.
My first thought is that you are choosing an occupation with very low barriers to entry, and will therefore be competing against a great many people, which will bring the prices down to levels which will barely cover your expenses , or even lower.
Surely there is something else you can do that maybe not quite so many others can do?
Surely there is something else you can do that maybe not quite so many others can do?
Thanks for the reply and you're right. If one looks on the problem in the sense of employing ones capital to produce the best return then what I'm suggesting doesn't fit. But this is a proposition driven more from a personal perspective. Relieving myself of responsibilty for the work and actions of others and gaining autonomy and the price of that may well be a much lower return on my personal capital.
Perhaps I would better describe what I'm considering as a 'man with a van' scenario, rather than a courier.
Does anyone do this on here? Anyone willing to offer any insight into the pros and cons?
Perhaps I would better describe what I'm considering as a 'man with a van' scenario, rather than a courier.
Does anyone do this on here? Anyone willing to offer any insight into the pros and cons?
How about being a self employed car delivery and collection business?
Chap I know started doing this a year or so ago, and he is as busy as f
k. He works very long hours (transporter is too small to need a tachograph) and doesn't charge an awful lot, and most of his work is delivery new leased cars, collecting the old ones, and moving cars from one dealership to another.
His transporter is quite old but gets the job done.
Chap I know started doing this a year or so ago, and he is as busy as f
k. He works very long hours (transporter is too small to need a tachograph) and doesn't charge an awful lot, and most of his work is delivery new leased cars, collecting the old ones, and moving cars from one dealership to another.His transporter is quite old but gets the job done.
There's a forum for couriers/owner drivers. You might get a few pointers: be warned it's full of lots and lots of moaning about making it pay.
I started as a courier just over a year ago. Looked at being independent and decided it was a ball ache chasing for customers and then getting the buggers to pay up so went sub-contracting. No chasing business, client payments etc. Just receive jobs, do them, get paid.
Bought an ex British Gas Ford Connect - T220 with good payload, air-con, leccy windows etc.
Insurances cost me £1800 - comp vehicle, Public Liability and Goods In Transit. All 3 are needed or you won't get work.
I got some cheap black work trousers, safety shoes and a hi-vis along with some polo shirts and a fleece. Smart appearance goes a long way, as do good manners.
Further kit, some already owned: SatNav, UK road map and London A-Z. Tie straps, anti-slip matting, hard hat and handling gloves.
Hands free kit fitted in van. First aid kit, other odds and ends, sleeping bag, blanket, camping mat. Snow chains & folding shovel in winter.
Signed up with 3 firms as a sub-contractor. Within 24hrs I was on the road Bristol - London. Next day was Bristol - Leeds - Bristol - Cambridge - Bristol.
After 2 weeks one firm said they'd give me enough work so that I could work solely for them if I wanted. I gave it a whirl - free uniform, magnetic signs for the van and plenty of work. Some weeks are a bit quiet at around 1000-1200 miles, others go mental at up to 2200-2400.
At 12 months I'd covered 70,350 miles.
I work any time I'm needed, on-call at night and weekends (was called out on a job to Newcastle at 12.40am last Friday morning). If you're not willing to put yourself out you won't get the work. You have to do long hours to make money.
Does it pay? If you're smart with your money. Fuel costs are the biggest bugbear. Van repairs can hit too but mine has needed stuff doing which won't be a problem for another 100k plus. Oh and don't bother speeding everywhere, you just burn loads of fuel and with the way traffic is you don't save much time. Just learn alternative routes for when there are hold ups.
I'm paid weekly in arrears which really helps cash flow - none of this monthly rubbish. Register for VAT - it's a must.
Do I enjoy it? A 3.30pm Friday job to London or up to Manchester/Coventry/Derby sucks. Traffic is bad to an uncalculable degree. An overnight to Scotland when you see the sun rise and the animals waking is spectacular. I've seen so much of the UK in the last year. We have a beautiful country and considering what goes on out there, surprisingly few fatal crashes.
I'll be sticking with it as I enjoy the lack of stress and being on my own for long periods of time - Me, iPod and scenery
Bought an ex British Gas Ford Connect - T220 with good payload, air-con, leccy windows etc.
Insurances cost me £1800 - comp vehicle, Public Liability and Goods In Transit. All 3 are needed or you won't get work.
I got some cheap black work trousers, safety shoes and a hi-vis along with some polo shirts and a fleece. Smart appearance goes a long way, as do good manners.
Further kit, some already owned: SatNav, UK road map and London A-Z. Tie straps, anti-slip matting, hard hat and handling gloves.
Hands free kit fitted in van. First aid kit, other odds and ends, sleeping bag, blanket, camping mat. Snow chains & folding shovel in winter.
Signed up with 3 firms as a sub-contractor. Within 24hrs I was on the road Bristol - London. Next day was Bristol - Leeds - Bristol - Cambridge - Bristol.
After 2 weeks one firm said they'd give me enough work so that I could work solely for them if I wanted. I gave it a whirl - free uniform, magnetic signs for the van and plenty of work. Some weeks are a bit quiet at around 1000-1200 miles, others go mental at up to 2200-2400.
At 12 months I'd covered 70,350 miles.
I work any time I'm needed, on-call at night and weekends (was called out on a job to Newcastle at 12.40am last Friday morning). If you're not willing to put yourself out you won't get the work. You have to do long hours to make money.
Does it pay? If you're smart with your money. Fuel costs are the biggest bugbear. Van repairs can hit too but mine has needed stuff doing which won't be a problem for another 100k plus. Oh and don't bother speeding everywhere, you just burn loads of fuel and with the way traffic is you don't save much time. Just learn alternative routes for when there are hold ups.
I'm paid weekly in arrears which really helps cash flow - none of this monthly rubbish. Register for VAT - it's a must.
Do I enjoy it? A 3.30pm Friday job to London or up to Manchester/Coventry/Derby sucks. Traffic is bad to an uncalculable degree. An overnight to Scotland when you see the sun rise and the animals waking is spectacular. I've seen so much of the UK in the last year. We have a beautiful country and considering what goes on out there, surprisingly few fatal crashes.
I'll be sticking with it as I enjoy the lack of stress and being on my own for long periods of time - Me, iPod and scenery
Edited by Six Fiend on Thursday 14th October 21:03
Thanks you Six Fiend for a brilliant outline of the work. The reasons you finish on are exactly why I'm contemplating couriering and tt's reassuring to see that after a year, you're still finding contentment. It sounds like it can be very hectic but I guess it's a matter of finding your level and seeing if you can make it work there. You've given some excellent advice on the setting-up side of things, covering all the possible pitfalls but still making it seem achievable. You've defintely given me food for thought and exactly the sort of insight I was hoping for - much appreciated.
I'm finding the courier forum to be a great resource Ed, and thank you also for taking the trouble to post the details.
I'm finding the courier forum to be a great resource Ed, and thank you also for taking the trouble to post the details.
You're welcome. Codforum is where I did loads of research before starting off. I did a 12/24 month financial plan too, costing everything and then adding a percentage. Being a businessman primarily it was second nature to plan it properly - 3 months worth, hence I'm still working, making money and gave seen plenty come and go!
Six Fiend said:
You're welcome. Codforum is where I did loads of research before starting off. I did a 12/24 month financial plan too, costing everything and then adding a percentage. Being a businessman primarily it was second nature to plan it properly - 3 months worth, hence I'm still working, making money and gave seen plenty come and go!
If you dont mind me asking where do you get your work from? Do you use sites like Courier exchange etc?I always thought of doing this but dismissed it due to everyman and his dog doing it and the constant negativety surrounding the industry.
Just goes to show, a realistic positive flexible attitude coupled with hard graft can make it work.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
SF & SC both have it right. If I could still lift the bags I would still be on the road now, but in the office I am putting my experiences of how to handle customers/situations to good use.
It was a great life, not too good for anyone with a young family due to the hours away. But the lovely spectacle of seeing eg the sun reflecting across Lake windermere and other such scenes cannot be beaten - a bonus on top of being ones own boss.
Careful research and planning. I also found that being an ex-mechanic was useful for such things as cambelt & clutch replacements & servicing, though the very latest engines demand spec equipment for diagnosis. (having said that, one can still do the mechanical bits - I'll be doing the cambelt on my Saab 2006 1.9 Tid Sportwagon)
Go for it - you wont regret it, lovely life. Also remember, as our own drivers are well aware, you can make more money proportionately to fuel costs in large cities.
It was a great life, not too good for anyone with a young family due to the hours away. But the lovely spectacle of seeing eg the sun reflecting across Lake windermere and other such scenes cannot be beaten - a bonus on top of being ones own boss.
Careful research and planning. I also found that being an ex-mechanic was useful for such things as cambelt & clutch replacements & servicing, though the very latest engines demand spec equipment for diagnosis. (having said that, one can still do the mechanical bits - I'll be doing the cambelt on my Saab 2006 1.9 Tid Sportwagon)
Go for it - you wont regret it, lovely life. Also remember, as our own drivers are well aware, you can make more money proportionately to fuel costs in large cities.
CHIEF said:
Six Fiend said:
You're welcome. Codforum is where I did loads of research before starting off. I did a 12/24 month financial plan too, costing everything and then adding a percentage. Being a businessman primarily it was second nature to plan it properly - 3 months worth, hence I'm still working, making money and gave seen plenty come and go!
If you dont mind me asking where do you get your work from? Do you use sites like Courier exchange etc?I always thought of doing this but dismissed it due to everyman and his dog doing it and the constant negativety surrounding the industry.
Just goes to show, a realistic positive flexible attitude coupled with hard graft can make it work.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
As I mentioned earlier on, I signed up with 3 firms, was inundated with work (I think due to my professional approach and appearance) and was offered ongoing work every day with the firm I'm with after only 2 weeks.
Glad to be of use here
Six Fiend said:
CHIEF said:
Six Fiend said:
You're welcome. Codforum is where I did loads of research before starting off. I did a 12/24 month financial plan too, costing everything and then adding a percentage. Being a businessman primarily it was second nature to plan it properly - 3 months worth, hence I'm still working, making money and gave seen plenty come and go!
If you dont mind me asking where do you get your work from? Do you use sites like Courier exchange etc?I always thought of doing this but dismissed it due to everyman and his dog doing it and the constant negativety surrounding the industry.
Just goes to show, a realistic positive flexible attitude coupled with hard graft can make it work.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
As I mentioned earlier on, I signed up with 3 firms, was inundated with work (I think due to my professional approach and appearance) and was offered ongoing work every day with the firm I'm with after only 2 weeks.
Glad to be of use here
(its ok you dont have to tell me what it is if you dont want)
As a subby I get what the company pays, which in this area appears to be the highest, albeit by 1p. It's per loaded mile carrying a premium for after hours call outs and weekends, hence I put in the late/night jobs which others turn down.
If you're going it alone you work out what you can work for and charge your clients appropriately, bearing in mind what the competitors charge.
The advantage I have is I work, invoice the company once a week, then get paid directly into my bank account.
There is a costing calculation for those wishing to start up:
http://www.codforum.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=...
If you're going it alone you work out what you can work for and charge your clients appropriately, bearing in mind what the competitors charge.
The advantage I have is I work, invoice the company once a week, then get paid directly into my bank account.
There is a costing calculation for those wishing to start up:
http://www.codforum.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=...
Don't let the negative comments deter you. I was given the same advice when I wanted to retrain and go self-employed as a gas engineer. People told me the market was saturated and that I'd never make a profit. However, it’s the same no matter what industry you work in - if you can make yourself stand out from the competition then you stand a really good chance. Sometimes, being clean shaven, smart, polite, friendly, responsive and organised is all it takes.
Couriering must be like the gas industry. 60% of the competition will be dross. Of the remaining 40%, 10% will be good couriers but will be crap at managing finance, 10% will be good at managing finance but crap at couriering, which leaves 20% - the real competition.
Go for it. Try and do something unique that differentiates you from the rest of the mugs.
Paint your van pink – and call yourself ‘Pinky post’!
Good luck!
Couriering must be like the gas industry. 60% of the competition will be dross. Of the remaining 40%, 10% will be good couriers but will be crap at managing finance, 10% will be good at managing finance but crap at couriering, which leaves 20% - the real competition.
Go for it. Try and do something unique that differentiates you from the rest of the mugs.
Paint your van pink – and call yourself ‘Pinky post’!
Good luck!
Might be helpful...
Getting Started as a Sameday Courier - mtvan
There are various online communities such as CX (expensive) and mtvan which might be useful for finding people near you to pick up to odd back load etc.
Getting Started as a Sameday Courier - mtvan
There are various online communities such as CX (expensive) and mtvan which might be useful for finding people near you to pick up to odd back load etc.
I work in logistics and this is so true
At the end of the day, people deal with people. If you're friendly, helpful, efficient and co-operative then you'll get work.
Plenty who aren't, don't.
My advice?
Six Fiend said:
Smart appearance goes a long way, as do good manners.
You'd be surprised how many miserable, ignorant, smelly, pikey-looking, rude, aggressive (really) and downright shifty characters there are moving goods around the country.At the end of the day, people deal with people. If you're friendly, helpful, efficient and co-operative then you'll get work.
Plenty who aren't, don't.
My advice?
- Be aware that fuel cost is only going one way but rates at the moment aren't following suit.
- As SF specifies, at 3.30 on a Friday, stuck on the M25 at Heathrow, you'll be wishing you were doing something else.
- You need to enjoy being on your own a lot but dealing with people aswell.
- Make friends with the transport manager.
- Be the man who says Yes when others say No
- Keep your costs to a minimum, especially at the beginning. Don't skimp on things like maintenance, etc but try and do stuff like that yourself.
- Beware lots of multi-drop work. If it's in a small area it's fine, combined with big mileage then it means looooong days.
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