Van bangernomics for home build/renovation
Discussion
As per the title, anyone purchased a van for the purpose of a home build or renovation project?
I'm hoping to start my extension (early) next year and, as I'm on a budget, thought about buying a cheap van to allow me to buy & collect any eBay bargains (or similar) such as windows, kitchens, radiators etc that I may score.
Anyone done this before?
How did it work out?
I'm hoping to start my extension (early) next year and, as I'm on a budget, thought about buying a cheap van to allow me to buy & collect any eBay bargains (or similar) such as windows, kitchens, radiators etc that I may score.
Anyone done this before?
How did it work out?
Access to my sister's boyfriends's van has come in handy for my build, but almost everything will be delivered by merchants, too heavy to collect yourself or too far away to drive and collect.
The only thing we have really needed it for are scrap metal runs. I would think carefully about whether you really need one.
The only thing we have really needed it for are scrap metal runs. I would think carefully about whether you really need one.
Depends on your local tip, ours does not allow vans and pickups in, you also get a ticket to allow a trailer and thats only once a month.
I found it best to become good friends with the builders mearchants so you can get an early drop on their wagon.
I used / use an estate car not as handy as a van but no trouble at the tip unless they reconise your on your 3rd run.
My first build i bought a van but for the others I used an estate, or got a skip.
Check with the tip first
I found it best to become good friends with the builders mearchants so you can get an early drop on their wagon.
I used / use an estate car not as handy as a van but no trouble at the tip unless they reconise your on your 3rd run.
My first build i bought a van but for the others I used an estate, or got a skip.
Check with the tip first
Worth checking if you'll be able to take a van into your local tip. Ours doesn't allow "trade" waste so we'd have to go to a different (paid for) one where we'd need a license etc.
I bought a Thule 8' double height trailer with a locking top box. Can fit pretty much anything in it apart from 3m worktops & they quite happily sit on the top tied down with bungees. It probably cost about the same as a cheap van (was about £1300), but then again I've paid nothing in tax, insurance, MOT, repairs etc.
It's a single axle & under 9' so is perfectly fine to take to the tip.
I bought a Thule 8' double height trailer with a locking top box. Can fit pretty much anything in it apart from 3m worktops & they quite happily sit on the top tied down with bungees. It probably cost about the same as a cheap van (was about £1300), but then again I've paid nothing in tax, insurance, MOT, repairs etc.
It's a single axle & under 9' so is perfectly fine to take to the tip.
Also, your car insurance won't cover you to drive a van (none of my family's did anyway) so you'll need to get a separate policy. Van insurance is far more expensive than you'd expect!
Quite honestly I'd recommend buying an old estate car that's on it's last legs and then scrapping it when you're finished.
Quite honestly I'd recommend buying an old estate car that's on it's last legs and then scrapping it when you're finished.
SpeedBash said:
As per the title, anyone purchased a van for the purpose of a home build or renovation project?
Yes, but in the US. A very old Dodge pickup. Absolutely brilliant. Even does 20mpg (imperial). Dont care if it gets scratched, dirty, even paint on it. And the tail gate makes a great work bench. Accidently ran a saw through the tailgate the other week. No harm no foul.James_N said:
Blue Oval84 said:
Also, your car insurance won't cover you to drive a van (none of my family's did anyway) so you'll need to get a separate policy. Van insurance is far more expensive than you'd expect!
Well i've learned something tonight! I didn't know that. 
I checked and sure enough it is.
I was thinking about this over the weekend.
Would you be better off with a really cheap Renault Espace / Vauxhall Zafira etc. then strip as much as possible out of the back. The primary reason for this is to allow entry to the tips. I would imagine most building items would be delivered and this is mainly for disposal? I remember an ex-colleague has a Toyota people carrier which he said he could fit 8x4 sheets in.
Buy some spring assistors to help with the extra weight and then use it as a van. At the end get it valeted, put the interior back in and put it on Ebay at 99p no reserve auction. As long as it runs someone will buy it.
Would you be better off with a really cheap Renault Espace / Vauxhall Zafira etc. then strip as much as possible out of the back. The primary reason for this is to allow entry to the tips. I would imagine most building items would be delivered and this is mainly for disposal? I remember an ex-colleague has a Toyota people carrier which he said he could fit 8x4 sheets in.
Buy some spring assistors to help with the extra weight and then use it as a van. At the end get it valeted, put the interior back in and put it on Ebay at 99p no reserve auction. As long as it runs someone will buy it.
I'm in a pretty much constant cycle of home renovations, and I frequently use the wife's galaxy as a van (on the condition that I clean it afterwards!). With the seats removed you've got over 6 feet of length, plus about 4 feet of width and height. Ours has the captains seats option which means the front seats swivel 180 degrees to face the back. Doing this on the passenger side means you can easily get 8ft lengths of timber in there. I think my record is 72 lengths of CLS.
It's designed to carry the weight of 7 fat people plus a bit of luggage, so as long as you don't take the piss, you can carry a hell of a lot of stuff. The only things I've needed to get delivered are 8x4 sheets and ton bags of sand/gravel.
Early ones are getting very cheap now, so it could be a viable option. Other benefits are cheapish insurance, plus free entry to the tip!
It's designed to carry the weight of 7 fat people plus a bit of luggage, so as long as you don't take the piss, you can carry a hell of a lot of stuff. The only things I've needed to get delivered are 8x4 sheets and ton bags of sand/gravel.
Early ones are getting very cheap now, so it could be a viable option. Other benefits are cheapish insurance, plus free entry to the tip!
northwest monkey said:
Worth checking if you'll be able to take a van into your local tip. Ours doesn't allow "trade" waste so we'd have to go to a different (paid for) one where we'd need a license etc.
Very much this. Complete pain in the arse.Might be worth picking up a cheap Discovery type thing: you can take it to the tip, you can tow a trailer with it, and it'll pull the side off your house if it all goes wrong and you need to start again.
mk1matt said:
I'm in a pretty much constant cycle of home renovations, and I frequently use the wife's galaxy as a van (on the condition that I clean it afterwards!). With the seats removed you've got over 6 feet of length, plus about 4 feet of width and height. Ours has the captains seats option which means the front seats swivel 180 degrees to face the back. Doing this on the passenger side means you can easily get 8ft lengths of timber in there. I think my record is 72 lengths of CLS.
It's designed to carry the weight of 7 fat people plus a bit of luggage, so as long as you don't take the piss, you can carry a hell of a lot of stuff. The only things I've needed to get delivered are 8x4 sheets and ton bags of sand/gravel.
Early ones are getting very cheap now, so it could be a viable option. Other benefits are cheapish insurance, plus free entry to the tip!
My old man used a Galaxy during his last few years in the trade (when semi-retired) Make great civilised vans and do over 45mpg around town without even trying!It's designed to carry the weight of 7 fat people plus a bit of luggage, so as long as you don't take the piss, you can carry a hell of a lot of stuff. The only things I've needed to get delivered are 8x4 sheets and ton bags of sand/gravel.
Early ones are getting very cheap now, so it could be a viable option. Other benefits are cheapish insurance, plus free entry to the tip!
I did exactly this few years ago. Bought a Berlibgo for £700, ran it for 6 months for home renovations, decided it was usefull as a second motor as we both mountain bike and bought a newer one.
I got the newest i could with the old 1.9 non turbo, ply lined it and fitted a 12v socket in the back for my mobile pressure washer. I put some brackets in to hold the bike forks and got an air bed. I used it for two years and sold it for what I paid to another mountain biker. It was never used as a builders van and the new ply lining was spotless after only having tip rus and muddy tyres to cope with.
A few years later I decided to buy another to share with my brother. This time, being a little more clued up, we decided to go for the car version of the van. The insurance for a van kangoo was around £450 per year but for the car version it was only £270 per year. The tax was also cheaper by about £200 per year and we never ad an argument at the tip trying to get in. The cars are usually in better nick too as vans tend to be driven by lots of people who don't own them! Our kangoo now has over 180,000 miles on and really has cost pennies to run compared to the vans and with the seats out has the same load area. I'd reccomend looking at the car versions.
I got the newest i could with the old 1.9 non turbo, ply lined it and fitted a 12v socket in the back for my mobile pressure washer. I put some brackets in to hold the bike forks and got an air bed. I used it for two years and sold it for what I paid to another mountain biker. It was never used as a builders van and the new ply lining was spotless after only having tip rus and muddy tyres to cope with.
A few years later I decided to buy another to share with my brother. This time, being a little more clued up, we decided to go for the car version of the van. The insurance for a van kangoo was around £450 per year but for the car version it was only £270 per year. The tax was also cheaper by about £200 per year and we never ad an argument at the tip trying to get in. The cars are usually in better nick too as vans tend to be driven by lots of people who don't own them! Our kangoo now has over 180,000 miles on and really has cost pennies to run compared to the vans and with the seats out has the same load area. I'd reccomend looking at the car versions.
V8RX7 said:
Problem being none of them will take 8x4 sheets should you need plasterboard or 6x6 fence panels etc
Potentially solved with a roof rack and appropriate supports/tie downs for larger sheets if it's for one or two every now and again, otherwise have it delivered in bulk.Convertibles can also be surprisingly useful for long lengths of relatively light weight goods. A couple of lengths of 3m waste pipe fitted nicely... Looked like a dodgem!
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