The aim isn’t to carry everything. It’s to identify the relatively small group of consumables, fixings and maintenance essentials that operatives use repeatedly across different jobs.
For responsive repairs in particular, having the right core van stock can help reduce collection trips, improve first-time completion rates and keep operatives productive throughout the working day.
Sealants are used across an enormous range of maintenance jobs, so they are obvious candidates for core van stock.
Depending on the work being undertaken, useful products can include:
Rather than carrying numerous variations, contractors can often benefit from standardising a small selection of proven products suitable for the most common applications.
Small fixings can stop a job surprisingly quickly when they’re missing.
A sensible selection of commonly used screws, wall plugs, washers and general-purpose fixings can cover everything from refitting ironmongery to securing sanitaryware, battens, trims and fittings. The key is not filling the van with every fixing available. Review the jobs your operatives regularly complete and identify the sizes and types that are actually being used.
Responsive property maintenance frequently involves relatively small plumbing repairs rather than major installations.
Useful van stock might therefore include common consumables and replacement items such as:
The exact mix will depend on the properties and assets being maintained, but readily available plumbing consumables can prevent a minor repair becoming a second visit.
Many repairs finish with some form of making good. Fillers, caulk, abrasives, masking tape, brushes and other decorating sundries can therefore be just as important to a multi-trade operative as the components used to complete the original repair.
For void refurbishment and responsive maintenance teams, carrying these basic finishing products can allow more work to be completed properly before leaving the property.
Some of the most frequently used van-stock products are also among the least expensive. Utility blades, masking tape, duct tape, electrical tape, pencils, cloths and other everyday consumables are easily overlooked because no individual item seems particularly important.
But an operative repeatedly stopping to replace low-cost consumables quickly becomes expensive in labour time.
Completing the repair is only part of the job. Trade wipes, cleaning products, refuse sacks and suitable PPE can help operatives leave work areas clean and move efficiently between jobs.
For maintenance teams working in occupied properties, voids and communal areas, maintaining appropriate cleaning and protection stock is particularly useful.
There is no single perfect van-stock list for every contractor. A plumber-heavy maintenance programme will require a different mix from a decorating, void-refurbishment or general multi-trade operation.
A better approach is to review actual maintenance activity:
From there, contractors can establish a core stock list, sensible minimum quantities and an agreed replenishment process. That is much more effective than allowing every van to develop a different collection of products over time.
Good van stock shouldn’t operate separately from the wider procurement process.
Core van products can be aligned with approved materials, branch or stores stock and the products being purchased centrally. Where appropriate, contractors can also identify approved alternatives so a minor stock shortage doesn’t unnecessarily stop a repair.
The objective isn’t to carry more material.
It’s to make sure operatives have the right frequently used materials available when they need them.
For property maintenance and multi-trade contractors, that can mean fewer merchant runs, fewer avoidable second visits and more productive time spent completing work. Orion Trade Supplies stocks fixings, sealants, plumbing products, decorating sundries, cleaning products, PPE, tools and everyday maintenance essentials for property maintenance and refurbishment contractors.
Customers can order suitable products online for UK delivery, with Orion’s trade branches in Rochester, Kent and Peckham, South London also supporting contractors working across the local area.
