How to Scale from 1 Van to 3 Vans (Without Going Broke)
Revenue targets, team structure, van financing, and readiness tests so you can add vans without burning cash.
Stack even more demand by pairing this with Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026, From Van to Empire, and Hiring Your First Employee.
The 6-Signal Readiness Test
Proves the business can sustain a second van
Proves the business can sustain a second van
Proves the business can sustain a second van
Proves the business can sustain a second van
Proves the business can sustain a second van
Proves the business can sustain a second van
Real Costs of Adding Van Two
It's not just another £42K salary—here is the full cost picture:
| Cost Item | One-Time | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Employee (£30k salary) | - | £42,000 |
| Van (used, 3 years old) | £15,000 | - |
| Van signage/racking | £1,500 | - |
| Tools & equipment | £2,000 | - |
| Insurance & tax | - | £2,800 |
| Fuel & maintenance | - | £6,000 |
| HH costs (software, phone) | - | £1,200 |
Annual impact: 2 unpaid quotes/week × 52 weeks × £120 average = £12,480 lost if you don’t charge. (Use the charging guide when supply is constrained.)
Pricing & Capacity Targets
New vans must be capacity-positive. That means your pricing needs to support the new headcount and van costs.
Minimum revenue per van
£12,500/month
Average job size for van 2
£850+
Quote-to-job ratio
50% or better
Average daily jobs/van
3-4 depending on trade
Financing Options Without Crushing Cash Flow
Lease Purchase
Lower upfront cost but you own at the end. Plan for balloon payment.
Chattel Mortgage
Fixed term loans (3-5 years) with tax-deductible interest.
Hire Purchase
Spread cost over 2-3 years; van is collateral.
Cash Purchase
Best for used vans when you have strong reserves.
Team Structure for Three Vans
Recommended Org Chart
- • Van 1: You + apprentice (sales + complex jobs)
- • Van 2: Senior tech + junior (standard installs/repairs)
- • Van 3: Two junior techs for maintenance/preventive routes
- • Back office: Part-time scheduler/admin
Operations Systems You Need Before Van 3
- →Live scheduling board with auto notifications
- →Standard van stock list + restock cadence
- →Job quality checklist and photo requirements
- →Daily huddles + end-of-day reporting
- →Job costing dashboard with margin alerts
- →Fuel/maintenance log for every vehicle
How to Fill Three Vans with Work
Marketing mix
Paid search + referral program + local SEO
Outbound cadence
Call 10 dormant customers weekly
Partnerships
Win builders/estate agents maintenance retainers
Upsell scripts
Technicians offer add-ons at every visit
Bottom Line
Scaling vans works when your pricing, pipeline, and systems are ready. Charging for complex quotes, tracking margins, and delegating ruthlessly keep you profitable.
Reminder: Scaling isn’t about buying more vehicles—it’s about building the machine that keeps them booked, trained, and profitable.
Build a pricing command center in Toolfy
- •Quote templates, emergency premiums, and deposits all in one library
- •Real-time job costing shows margin before you send the quote
- •Scenario calculators feed straight into invoices and payment plans
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