Hiring a van for work: what are your options?

So you're looking to hire a van for work – well, you've come to the right place. Here at Metro Vehicle Hire, we pride ourselves on being a friendly and professional provider of vans for hire – and our key word is "flexibility".

If you've clicked on this article, you're probably undecided about the best type of hire package for you. You'd be forgiven for getting in a bit of a muddle about the different packages and their pros and cons.

You see, van hire can be complicated – we know that as well as anyone. But we want to simplify the process for you and make sure you get the deal that's right for you and your business.

So please, fasten your seatbelt, adjust your mirrors and join us for a quick drive as we talk you through your options.

Vehicle hire by the month (28 days)

This type of package is a great example of what we call "Flexi Hire". It allows you to hire month by month (or 28 days by 28 days) without getting locked into a long-term contract.

You can hire a van under this scheme for a minimum of 28 days. There's no maximum term, but you may find that renting like this for more than six months is not the most economical approach – in this instance, long-term hire may be more suitable. But it's your call – with monthly vehicle hire, flexibility is the name of the game.

This could be the best option for you if you're running a new business and don't want to commit to van purchase or long-term hire just yet – or if you have new employees or temporary staff.

It could also be just the ticket if you need a set of wheels for a short-term contract or if you require transport on a seasonal basis.

Finally, it could be the package for you if you're replacing an older fleet vehicle.

Let's take a look at the benefits:

It goes without saying but monthly hire has the edge on a long-term deal if you're not ready or willing to commit long-term – and you can play by ear how long you want to rent it for.

The vehicle will be delivered to you straight away from our fleet, meaning you can get on the road without delay.

Our rates for monthly hire are more competitive than their daily equivalents.

You can change vehicles when you like. Your monthly payment covers the size of the vehicle you need, not the specific model. So if your requirements change, your van can change too, without any penalty charge.

Monthly hire gets your business on the road without you having to make a large purchase.

Our monthly hire rates cover 24/7 RAC breakdown assistance, RFL (road tax) and tyre upkeep – meaning you're not responsible for wear and tear.

If disaster strikes and you break down, we'll give you a replacement vehicle from our fleet.

Flexibility, competitive rates, breakdown cover – what's not to like? But perhaps you know you need a vehicle for longer. If this sounds like you, a long-term arrangement could be the better option.

Long-term vehicle hire (between six and 36 months)

If you're confident you'll need your vehicle for longer than six months, we recommend our long-term vehicle hire package.

Six months is the minimum and 36 the maximum – but if you choose to hire for any length of time between those limits, we can review and extend them as needed. As a business ourselves, we understand that requirements change, and we would hate to think that our customers are feeling stuck.

A huge benefit of this type of hire is that you're able to choose exactly how long you need the vehicle. This is a real advantage compared to leasing – which we'll come to – where you're locked into a contract with hefty exit fees.

As with monthly hire, long-term hire allows you to get your show on the road without having to commit to the huge outlay required for a purchase, freeing up funds for more pressing purchases. 

What's more, overall costs are low and there are no nasty surprises. We cover servicing and administration costs so you don't have to. And there are no high costs for terminating your lease.

Whether you go for monthly or long-term hire, we can guarantee you a friendly and personal service from our professional, reliable and easy-going team

What about PCH finance?

PCH – or "personal contract hire" – is another type of lease you may have heard of. This is similar to long-term hire but less flexible. You pay fixed monthly payments for an agreed length of time and return the vehicle when it's over.

Cards on the table: we don't offer PCH. And while we wouldn't say it has no benefits at all, we believe that our hire options beat PCH hands down. Let us explain…

1. With PCH, you have to agree to an annual mileage allowance with your provider. If you go beyond this, you may face excess charges. This lacks the flexibility of long-term hire.

2. You can't change vehicles with the freedom you can with monthly or long-term hire – and if you want to change or stop the contract, you face high termination fees.

Essentially, with PCH, once you've hired the van, you're stuck with it – unless you want to pay through the nose.

That, above all, is why we beat the drum for "Flexi Hire" – because it puts you in the driver's seat.

Are you looking to hire a van for work? Metro Vehicle Hire is an independent family-owned hire firm based in the North East. We specialise in vehicle hire with a friendly face. For a bespoke quote, please don't hesitate to get in touch.