Reviewed by
Billy Lang, Director
FCA Registration No: 835008
By trade — quick guide
The right van depends on the trade. Load profile, payload, security, conversion needs — different work has different priorities.
Electricians
First-fix and second-fix loads, conduit, cable drums, MK boxes. Medium panel typically suits.
Plumbers
Pipe rack, copper, soldering kit, weighty tools. Look for 1,000kg+ payload.
Builders & carpenters
Bigger loads, sheets of ply, longer timber. Larger panel or Luton-bed setups.
Multi-trade & site teams
Crew cab for the team, separate load area for tools. Look at double-cab specs.
What matters for tradespeople
Beyond the monthly figure
- Load space — measured against the largest sheet, length, or unit you carry routinely.
- Payload — gross weight matters more than people think. Plumbers with copper carry more than they realise.
- Ply-lining and racking — protects load space and tools. Confirm policy before fitting anything.
- Security — deadlocks, alarm, secondary locks. Tools-in-van overnight is a real risk.
- Business-use insurance — trade-class with tools cover. Non-negotiable.
All decisions are subject to status. We do not offer guaranteed approval.
Suitable vehicles
Common trade-suitable vans we work with. Specific stock varies — we will quote against what is actually available.
Placeholder — awaiting real case study
Top trade-suited van models in stock
Specific models suited to each trade profile, drawn from current First Flexi inventory. Likely to include Ford Transit (across sizes), Vauxhall Vivaro / Combo, Renault Trafic, VW Transporter / Crafter, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter / Vito — but client to confirm the in-stock list.
In the meantime, see the full van leasing range.
Self-employed and sole-trader evidence
Most tradespeople are sole traders or director-only limited companies. We accept the evidence trade work actually generates — SA302s, bank statements, signed contracts, recent invoices.
Sector spotlight: construction
Construction is where vans get pushed harder than almost any other trade. The bag-of-cement, sheet-of-ply, length-of-rebar working week. Heavier loads, rougher sites, longer days. The leasing question gets sharper because the wrong van costs you in payload fines, downtime, and end-of-term refurbishment charges that should never have been needed.
Three things matter most for construction vans. Payload capacity first — gross vehicle weight, not just floor space. Sand, ballast, fixings, copper and timber are dense, and overloaded vans are fined at weighbridge checks and wear faster. Spec for headroom on the GVW figure, especially if you carry kit between sites rather than dropping at the yard. 4WD or part-time AWD earns its premium on muddy or unmade sites; if you spend half your week on tarmac and half on a site that turns into a swamp in November, do not put yourself in a 2WD long-wheelbase. Security spec matters more than for most trades — site-yard theft is a documented problem, deadlocks and secondary locks are typically worth the spend.
Mileage allowance for construction work typically sits between 12,000 and 25,000 a year. Single-site operators run lower; project-based contractors and multi-site teams sit at the upper end. See our mileage-allowance guide for how to estimate honestly. Most contractors trade as limited companies, so the cost-of-ownership comparison usually comes down to VAT, capital allowances and cashflow — covered in our lease vs buy: van for a limited company guide.
For sole-trader contractors and self-employed subbies, we accept SA302s, bank statements and signed contracts as income evidence — the same approach as for any other trade.
Conversion, racking, signage
The honest answer here depends on policy that is currently being confirmed. Once we have it, this section will say plainly what is and isn't allowed under the lease — including ply-lining, racking, secondary security, signage, and tow-bars.
Awaiting confirmed policy from First Flexi.
Until confirmed, please ask at quote stage and we will give you the specific answer for your intended modifications.
The process, end to end
- 1
Quote & soft check
Tell us your trade, working pattern, load needs. Soft search runs in background.
- 2
Vehicle & spec
We suggest models that fit and quote both monthly and total cost.
- 3
Conversion question
If you need racking, ply-lining or signage, we confirm what's allowed before signing.
- 4
Insurance check
You confirm trade-class business-use insurance with tools cover before delivery.
- 5
Hard search & sign
Only at full agreement, with your knowledge.
A real example
Placeholder — awaiting real case study
Anonymised approval — tradesperson
Short paragraph describing one real trade customer (no name) — their trade, the documents we accepted, any conversion arrangements, and the vehicle / term they ended up with. Client to supply.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have ply-lining or racking fitted?
[PLACEHOLDER — to be confirmed by First Flexi conversion policy] Most leases prohibit unauthorised conversions. Some allow ply-lining and approved racking subject to specification and reversibility at end of contract. We will tell you exactly what is and isn't allowed before any agreement is signed — no surprises at hand-back.
Do you have crew-cab vans for multi-trade teams?
Yes. Crew-cab and double-cab options are available across most major models (Transit, Vivaro, Trafic, Transporter). Quote based on team size and load needs.
Can I lease as a sole trader?
Yes. Sole traders are a substantial part of the customer base. We accept SA302s, bank statements, and contracts as evidence of income. See our sole trader page for the full guide.
What about business-use insurance?
Trade business-use insurance with tools cover is required for trade work. Standard social-and-domestic insurance won't cover commercial use of the van or tools left inside it. Confirm cover before delivery.
What's the typical mileage allowance for a trade van?
Trade mileage varies wildly. A local plumber might do 8,000 miles a year; a contractor on regional jobs might do 25,000. We build the allowance around your real working pattern. Estimate honestly — overrun charges hurt at the end.
Can I tow with a leased van?
Yes, subject to the vehicle's towing capacity and a tow-bar being fitted (manufacturer-approved or aftermarket). If you need a tow-bar fitted, mention it at quote stage so we can include the conversion question in the agreement.
I'm in construction — what should I look for in a van lease?
Construction vans get pushed harder than almost any other trade. Heavy materials, rougher sites, longer days. Three things matter most: payload capacity (gross vehicle weight, not just floor space — sand, ballast and fixings are dense), 4-motion or part-time 4WD if you're on muddy or unmade sites, and a security spec that actually deters site-yard theft. Mileage typically sits between 12,000 and 25,000 a year depending on whether you're a single-site operator or running between projects. Most contractors trade as limited companies — see the lease vs buy van for limited company guide for the cost-of-ownership comparison.
Trade-class business-use insurance with tools cover is required.
Standard social-and-domestic cover does not cover trade use or tools left in the vehicle. All applications subject to status. First Flexi Lease is a trading name of Oak First Investments Ltd. FCA Registration No: 835008. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Quote built around your trade
Tell us the work, the load, and the working pattern. We'll quote around it.
