Owner/Driver - Courier

[Cheeky Jim]

After finding myself unexpectedly out of a job at the end of july, and with approx 5 months money, I took August off to take a breather, reflect on career etc.

I have been mooting the idea of purchasing a van and setting up as a Courier. With a wealth of websites such as

www.courierexchange.co.uk

www.kdccouriers.com

www.frieghtalerts.co.uk

there seems no end of courier work available.

There is also the good old fashioned way of calling local courier firms and offering your services.

Are there any Owner/Driver Couriers/light haulage owners on PH that could offer any advice?

I am looking to be completely realistic, in purchasing and running a reasonable van (e.g. Long Wheelbase Transit with ability to take at least 1 or 2 pallets or simply Transit Connect type van), Goods In Transit Insurance, cost of diesel, insurance etc.

Does anyone have any realistic idea of earnings? Is it possible to make £1000 a week from this?

I've also seen sites like www.workingdriver.co.uk that appear to promise the potential of turning over that sort of money, but quotes on websites seem to be best case scenario's rather than average earnings.


Any advice would be most welcome.

Edited by Cheeky Jim on Wednesday 2nd September 14:22

Edited by Cheeky Jim on Wednesday 2nd September 14:23

[atpbx]

The only way to make decent money as an owner driver is to contract to one of the multidrop firms, like DHL, or Citylink.

You wont make enough to pay your expenses, let alone a thousand pounds a week using those sites as a one man band.

[Cheeky Jim]

thought not...thanks for the advice

[Monki]

When I worked for the Home Delivery Network, I was taking home £450 per week after tax as I was delivering tripple my requirement. I know that some owner-drivers were taking home a similar amount but had to work hard and put the hours in

[Cheeky Jim]

Thanks Monki, but unfortunately, £450 a week just wouldn't make it profitable enough.

I checked out DHL and CitySprint as owner drivers. The DHL example based on diesel prices at 88p a litre (some years out of date) works out at about £2k a month profit. I would have to run 4 vans to make any decent money and then you are immediately into the business of employing people and all that goes with setting up a full office and premises etc.

I think it's one of those thoughts that will have to get filed!