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We regularly get asked whether you can supply your own vehicle for it to be converted. The main reason is generally to save cost. The main question is will we still build it with the same meticulous attention to detail and quality?
The short answer is yes. What we will help you to do is make certain the vehicle you already have or have in mind will get you the best possible return on investment.
Let’s take you through what we see as the pros and cons of used V new vehicles for a vehicle conversion, the type of vehicle you might want to choose, how the design process works and how we make sure you get the optimum solution for your catering business.
There’s a lot of information here, that’s because we take the design and build of your vehicle very seriously – get this right and you make more money. We hope that means you’ll come back again, and you’ll recommend us.
So it all really comes down to cost, or put another way, your priority for where you invest your money.
Here’s how we advise you approach this.
First, we make certain we understand how your business works, the food offering you have and how much output you want to achieve. Then we discuss budget with you and make sure the return on investment works at the level you’re looking for.
Then the decision is much easier. We find the economics of a new vehicle work better over the long-term but have to be balanced with your budget and potentially the availability of finance in the short-term.
Please make sure speak with us before you go and buy anything second hand. We’ll check that specific vehicle can be converted for what you want to do and at a price that does work with your budget. You’ll appreciate different vehicles work better for different markets. The cheapest van on the market may not be the cheapest way of creating your finished catering van project.
Here’s what we’ve found from years of experience and feedback from customers. Luton style, generally ex delivery/removal vehicles – 3,500 kg gross weight – are popular as you can drive them on a standard car driving licence. (a ‘Luton style’ is a vehicle which has a bespoke box body fitted to it which is normally aluminium single skin panels or thin timber/GRP panels with a roller shutter fitted at the rear)
Some popular models which will appear when you search online are:
These are vehicles with a low floor that have 3,500kg gross carrying capacity.
Then there are medium and long wheelbase panel vans which have a high roof – 3,500 kg is the preferred size again.
Some popular models are:
Let’s take you through the basic steps we go through on every vehicle conversion we do:
At that stage we’ll also incorporate into the design:
The kitchen must be super-efficient and super reliable
You want your kitchen to be set up so it’s easy to use and easy on your team. Efficiency is vital and so is a happy team. After all, mobile catering can be very hard work. And you want your kitchen to be super reliable – equipment problems can easily translate into lost revenue.
We’ll talk to you about branding and other messages you want to get across early in the design stage. There are two ways we can help you with getting your brand message across.
Firstly, we need to make sure the external design of the unit will work with the branding you already have in mind. You are relatively limited in what you can change, the serving hatch isn’t likely to move too much, but we can make some subtle design changes that can help you display your branding to the best effect.
Secondly, we can arrange for all the signwriting and branding you require to be carried out before you collect your vehicle. We find when it’s us who brief the sign writers then less is likely to go wrong. Specifically everything goes where it should be, out of harm’s way, which lessens the potential for wear and tear to degrade your all-important image.
We can take care of everything for you, or as much as you want us to. Our customers generally find they like being able to pick up a unit that’s 100% finished and ready to go. And if you need training on any aspect of care or operation of your “new” catering van, that’s part of the service.
(You’ll love No 11)
1, If you’re not happy with your design when it’s finished, whatever you’ve paid at that time, just ask and we’ll refund it.
2, Our products are always easy to operate, with no sharp edges or poor workmanship. If you don’t agree or you find sharp edges, we’ll fix what’s wrong for free.
3, Our design process will always identify more money-making opportunities than you planned for.
4, Your safety is our No 1 concern (actually it’s our No 1 concern only just ahead of you making profits from your unit). You’ll have every relevant safety certification when your unit is ready to leave our workshop.
5, You’ll always benefit from talking to us, even if you don’t buy from us. We’ll always give you our best advice and we won’t be too salesy (but we don’t mind if you decide to buy).
6, When we agree a completion date, it’s a drop-dead date.
7, We never skimp on the quality of materials we use. Never.
8, If you want your unit to be ready to go when it leaves our workshop, that’s what it will be, ready to go, straight to the pitch.
9, Our support doesn’t end when you get your hands on your finished product. We’re there for any help, advice or guidance you need. Just call, we’ll help.
10, You’ll realise we have to put a time limit on our guarantee against defects in parts or workmanship but we give you an industry leading no quibble full 2 years (we ask that you return the unit to our workshop)
11, We always stand behind points 1 to 10, but here’s my personal guarantee, from Gary Wagstaff, owner of the business:
“If you order a catering unit from 4Sure and there’s anything you’re unhappy about, at any time, just call me and we’ll fix it.”