Hello Everyone,
“with this shortage of drivers” we have would it be the right time to run your own unit or just stop with a company, can you get more if you have your own unit or does it work out about the same ■■
Also while i am asking this question how much is it to insure a unit ? and how much would it cost per year to run it ?
If these have been asked before sorry 
Someone i know has to work all the hours possible a week for it to work and then one tyre replacement ruins it.
Pro’s n Con’s.
You work for the firm, maintenance n bills are not your problem, easy peasy.
Go on your own, then your pocket gets alot of damage before you see a return, and in that interim without any breakdowns you still need to fuel it or you aint gonna earn a shilling.
We now run 3 vans, and when they are running its great, but when the phone doesnt ring we dont earn, and if we have a breakdown it needs sorting straight away or you aint gonna earn.
Another thing, when you clock out when on the books you can forget about work until you clock back in, go on your own and you never clock out.
mrginge:
Someone i know has to work all the hours possible a week for it to work and then one tyre replacement ruins it.
It’s tight then 
B1 GGK:
Pro’s n Con’s.
You work for the firm, maintenance n bills are not your problem, easy peasy.Go on your own, then your pocket gets alot of damage before you see a return, and in that interim without any breakdowns you still need to fuel it or you aint gonna earn a shilling.
We now run 3 vans, and when they are running its great, but when the phone doesnt ring we dont earn, and if we have a breakdown it needs sorting straight away or you aint gonna earn.Another thing, when you clock out when on the books you can forget about work until you clock back in, go on your own and you never clock out.
Yes i can see where your coming from 
How much aweek does the unit have too make to make it worth while, i know as much as you can but bottom line cost ?
If you’re going to run your own wagon you’ll need a CPC because you won’t be able to afford to pay an employed transport manager.The course required will explain and answer all your questions regarding how to cost the operation.When you’ve done that you’ll probably see that it’s ‘almost’ impossible to make the equation of current rates v running costs work out.
Carryfast:
If you’re going to run your own wagon you’ll need a CPC because you won’t be able to afford to pay an employed transport manager.The course required will explain and answer all your questions regarding how to cost the operation.When you’ve done that you’ll probably see that it’s ‘almost’ impossible to make the equation of rates v running costs work out.
Point taken again, it was just aother crazy idea going around in my head 
would love to have own unit though.
Goods in transit insurance to cover damage or theft of the load you are carrying, then the cost of new tyres, a new clutch or gear box.
Your wages to take in to account, hiring an accountant to do the books, registering with HMR&C to pay capital gains tax.
Liability insurance in case you get sued or kill somebody.
You will need to be a DGSA or Dangerous goods safety advisor if hauling ADR goods.
Finding a garage to carry out routine maintenance.
Ghost01:
Carryfast:
If you’re going to run your own wagon you’ll need a CPC because you won’t be able to afford to pay an employed transport manager.The course required will explain and answer all your questions regarding how to cost the operation.When you’ve done that you’ll probably see that it’s ‘almost’ impossible to make the equation of rates v running costs work out.Point taken again, it was just aother crazy idea going around in my head
Even with all the drawbacks not finding a way to beg/borrow the start up capital required when I was much younger was probably the biggest mistake I made in my path in the job.So if you’re determined the benefits of being able to choose your own work and drive what you choose to drive ‘possibly’ still outweigh all the risks. 
Ghost01:
would love to have own unit though.
Easiest way too do it…
why not buy a motor for shows, theres loads out there, i saw a nice series1 FH for under £5000 earlier.
You got your own motor with no hassle!!
it’s not the kind of self employment I’d like to get in to, if there’s no work then the insurance etc still needs paid
years ago it would have been better but now all the big companies undercutting each other mean for a one man operation it’ll be hard going, probably far more effort than it’s worth for little return
you’d need to employ another driver to keep the truck working on your rest days/maybe nights etc, that’s if the work’s there in the first place
kindle530:
Ghost01:
would love to have own unit though.Easiest way too do it…
why not buy a motor for shows, theres loads out there, i saw a nice series1 FH for under £5000 earlier.
You got your own motor with no hassle!!
That’s another idea 
daffyd:
it’s not the kind of self employment I’d like to get in to, if there’s no work then the insurance etc still needs paidyears ago it would have been better but now all the big companies undercutting each other mean for a one man operation it’ll be hard going, probably far more effort than it’s worth for little return
you’d need to employ another driver to keep the truck working on your rest days/maybe nights etc, that’s if the work’s there in the first place
Another good point there
£600 per shift days & nights 5 days = £6000 per week £300,000 per year sounds achieveable
SHYTOT:
£600 per shift days & nights 5 days = £6000 per week £300,000 per year sounds achieveable
And companies would pay £600 per shift ?
£600 a shift!
tell me where, ?
assuming you managed to get that, remember unit cost need to come off
rental, fuel, tax, ins, etc
good luck if you go it as a OD I wish you well
Fallmonk:
£600 a shift!
tell me where, ?
assuming you managed to get that, remember unit cost need to come off
rental, fuel, tax, ins, etc
good luck if you go it as a OD I wish you well
This is what i am trying to find out is the costs, how much are we looking for rental etc
Ghost01:
Fallmonk:
£600 a shift!
tell me where, ?
assuming you managed to get that, remember unit cost need to come off
rental, fuel, tax, ins, etc
good luck if you go it as a OD I wish you wellThis is what i am trying to find out is the costs, how much are we looking for rental etc
new euro 6 MAN Tgx 440 on contract hire with everything covered, tyres, road tax, maintenance, inspections etc is £399 per week
Ghost01:
SHYTOT:
£600 per shift days & nights 5 days = £6000 per week £300,000 per year sounds achieveableAnd companies would pay £600 per shift ?
More like £1 and a few whatever pence per mile out of which the cost of a gallon of fuel needs to be deducted for more or less every 8 miles.Then you can start thinking about the other costs.But at it stands it’s the price of road fuel that is the deal breaker in most cases.
You’d need a minimum of £2000 a week just to cover the costs I’d say.
Fuel is going to be around £700
Repairs and maintenance £200
Truck hire/lease/saving to replace and insurance £300-400
Driver (yourself) £600
Misc £200
I’d say that’s an absolute minimum