Hire or Buy? The Real Cost of a Window Cleaning Van
A fully kitted-out water-fed pole van is one of the biggest single purchases a window cleaning business makes, and it’s easy to focus only on the sticker price. Once you factor in depreciation, maintenance, MOTs and what happens if it breaks down mid-contract, the comparison with hiring looks quite different.
What Buying Actually Costs Beyond the Purchase Price
- Depreciation — a van loses value from day one, regardless of how well you look after it
- Servicing, MOTs and general wear and tear
- Insurance, which is often higher for a liveried, equipment-carrying commercial vehicle
- The cost of the water-fed pole fit-out itself — tank, pump, hose reel and pole system
- Downtime if something breaks and there’s no backup vehicle
None of this makes buying the wrong choice — for an established business running a full-time round, owning a van outright is usually the more cost-effective option over several years, especially with finance available to spread the initial cost. But it’s a long-term commitment, and it needs the volume of work to justify it.
When Hiring Makes More Sense
| Situation | Why hiring fits |
|---|---|
| Starting out and not yet sure of round size | Avoids a large upfront commitment before you know demand |
| Seasonal demand spike | Add capacity for a few weeks without buying a second van |
| Your own van is off the road | Replacement hire keeps jobs running while it’s repaired |
| Testing a water-fed pole setup before buying | Try the equipment on real jobs with no long-term commitment |
| Taking on a larger contract temporarily | Scale up capacity for the length of the contract only |
A ready-fitted hire van removes a hidden cost too: fitting out a van yourself — tank, pump, hose reel, plumbing — takes time and requires it to be done properly to avoid leaks and pump issues down the line. A hire van from a specialist supplier arrives ready to work.
What a Hire Van Typically Includes
Our own fleet, for example, offers a Renault Trafic 1-man van with a 600 litre tank and electric hose reel from £85 + VAT per day, and a Vauxhall Movano 2-man van with a 1000 litre Thermopure hot water system from £100 + VAT per day. Hire runs from a three-day minimum, with better daily rates for weekly, fortnightly and monthly bookings, and a £500 refundable deposit is taken at the start of hire.
A Simple Way to Decide
- If you’re not yet sure how big your round will get, hire while you find out
- If you have a steady, full-time round and the cash flow or finance to support it, buying is usually more cost-effective long term
- Either way, keep a hire option in mind for breakdowns, MOT failures and unexpected demand — even businesses that own their van benefit from knowing a replacement is available
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to hire or buy in the long run?
For a full-time, established round, buying is usually more cost-effective over several years. For a new or seasonal business, hiring avoids a large upfront commitment while you build up steady demand.
What’s included in a hire van?
A fully fitted water-fed pole van, ready to work with no further setup needed — typically a water tank, pump and hose reel already installed.
What’s the minimum hire period?
Three days, with weekly, fortnightly and monthly hire also available at better daily rates.
Can I hire a van just as a backup for my own vehicle?
Yes — many businesses that own their van still use hire as replacement cover if their own vehicle is off the road for repairs or an MOT failure.
Compare Hire Rates and Availability
See our current van hire rates and coverage areas, or get in touch to talk through what suits your business right now.
