Window cleaning offers a very simple business venture with low initial investment and a tidy profit to be made. To get started, many may use their personal car to travel from job to job but soon realise the afforded luxury of space when they upgrade to a van. With the ability to carry a tank with increased water capacity for work on larger jobs, a van is essential to any growing window cleaning business. Here are our tips on how to choose the best van for window cleaning van.
Space
There’s a lot that comes with the window cleaning territory, equipment included. One of the biggest and the most important is easy, continuous access to water via a tank to facilitate your cleaning. A water tank can be a hefty addition to a call out but can save you from being the window cleaner that ran out of water and makes operations a whole lot smoother. All at the price of a dear thing called space. Additionally, long-length hoses, pressure washers, brushes, bars and accessories can also eat away at your van space. To make the right investment for your business choose a van that allows for easy storage, movement and access of equipment without having to rearrange your van at every appointment. Ensure to take note of floor space, width and van height and “vanning” should be a breeze.
Payload
Safety is an essential part when it comes to choosing any commercial vehicle. With legal consequences of exceeding the front or rear axle weight, it isn't one that you can afford to skimp on either. To ensure that your window cleaning van can hold all of your tradesmen essentials and water tank it's best to opt for a van with a higher payload.
Size of Team
The number of people that you will need to take with you to each job is an important consideration. Making sure that you can take passengers with you as well as having enough room for further hose reels and backup supplies is vital to operating effectively. If you are managing a team, ensure that you have space for passengers and enough internal capacity.
Good Side and Rear Access
Bulkier pieces of equipment such as a water tank may take up much of your space in the van while needing regular access. To overcome this dilemma many window cleaners create water systems at the rear of their vehicle where they can easily connect and disconnect from their water source. For this option to be practical, however, multiple doors such as twin rear doors and panel doors are great options to allow for access to other equipment stowed away.
The Best Van for Window Cleaning
The best small van for window cleaning that we recommend is the Fiat Doblo Cargo Maxi L2H1. A van with the highest payload in its sector of 1005kg and 5 cubic metre load volume. You should have no issue fitting your poles or tank in this van with a length of 2 metres, accessible twin doors and side panel door. Aside from its convenience, the Fiat Doblo has a range of powerful engines to choose from with a 1.3-litre diesel engine at 95PS and a 1.6-litre diesel engine at 105PS & 120PS option. Fuel economy amongst the Doblo’s is also excellent across the board to help keep costs low and ULEZ compliance.
With a comparatively smaller payload of 2.9 cubic metres and internal length of 1.7m, the Ford Transit Connect can also be voted one of the best vans for window cleaning. The van offers comfort, a fun drive and performance like none other with its tactile suspension and array of petrol and diesel engines.
Find the cheapest deal on your ideal window cleaning van at Nationwide Cars or speak to a member of our team to find a commercial vehicle that’s right for you.
