Your van is your mobile workshop. If it is untidy, you lose 30-45 minutes a day looking for things. That is more than 150 hours a year.
This is no exaggeration. A field service productivity study estimates that a technician with a disorganised van loses between 15 and 20 minutes per job just looking for tools and materials. If you do 3 jobs a day, that is 45-60 minutes every day.
The basic principle: a place for everything
It sounds like something your mother would say, but it is the key. If every tool has a fixed place, you know instantly whether anything is missing before you go to the next job. And at the end of the day, a glance tells you what you need to restock.
Organising equipment that is worth the investment
- Modular shelving. Sortimo, Bott, or more affordable alternatives such as those from Würth or Leroy Merlin. The investment (500-2.000 € depending on the van) pays for itself in weeks through the time you save.
- Labelled boxes. Transparent boxes or boxes labelled by type of material. "Cable ties", "Terminals", "22mm elbows", "Fuses". Make sure you can see what is inside from the outside.
- Pegboard for tools. On the side wall. Each tool has its outline or hook. You can see at a glance if anything is missing.
- Drawers with dividers. For fixings and small parts. They are inexpensive and stop everything from becoming mixed together when you go over bumps.
- Interior LED lighting. It may seem like a luxury, but working in the dark in the van is a nuisance. A 12V LED strip costs 20 € and makes all the difference.
Organisation by zones
Divide your van into logical zones:
- Zone 1 (quick access, side door): Tools for everyday use. Drill, screwdrivers, pliers, multimeter, adjustable spanner. What you use on 80% of jobs.
- Zone 2 (central shelving): Installation materials organised by type. Pipes, cables, connectors, fittings.
- Zone 3 (rear): Heavy or occasionally used equipment. Ladder, cable reels, specialist equipment.
- Zone 4 (under the floor or in a storage box): Documents, spare PPE, first-aid kit, traffic cones.
The habit that keeps it organised
Organisation is pointless if it is not maintained. The rule: 5 minutes at the end of each working day. Put every tool back in its place. Note down which materials have been used. Leave the van ready for tomorrow.
If you have employees, make this rule non-negotiable. The van must be returned tidy. No exceptions.
An essential emergency kit
In addition to your usual materials, always carry:
- Duct tape
- Cable ties in various sizes
- Silicone and sealant
- Assorted screws and wall plugs
- Universal fuses
- Insulating tape in various colours
- Hand torch (even if you have LED lighting)
- Mobile phone charger for the cigarette lighter
The van as your calling card
The customer sees your van when you arrive. If it is clean and tidy outside and inside, the first impression is one of professionalism. If you open the door and three boxes fall out, the impression is different. This is not superficial — it is business.