Top Tips For Maintaining A Profitable Trucking Service In The UK
If there is one thing the entire world learned quickly, and at quite a cost during the global pandemic, it was that sometimes events beyond our control can cause a breakdown in the supply chain. For this reason, more and more entrepreneurs are evaluating the advantages of getting into the haulage business. This requires a fleet of trucks capable of hauling large loads. Whether you choose to start with a few trucks or a dozen, the key is to secure hauling gigs at a profit. It is a service in high demand, and if done right, can keep your drivers on the road literally every week of the year.
Charge Rates Commensurate Operating Costs
The first thing you will need to do is calculate your overhead before setting a price range. It is vital that you don’t miss any expenses no matter how seemingly trivial. A few pounds here and a few pounds there can quickly add up, taking away from your profitability.
Take truck insurance, for example. You know that commercial HGV insurance is likely to cost more than domestic automobile insurance so take the time to look at several Quotezone truck insurance rate comparisons. If you need to keep premiums lower, maybe you could consider higher deductibles. Also, you might keep rates lower by ensuring all your drivers have taken safe driving certification online.
With the cost petrol and diesel being constantly in flux, maybe you could use the highest price within the past year to calculate fuel costs. Don’t miss a single item that needs to be paid so that your cost per the rates you charge leaves room for a decent profit margin.
Register With A Truck Haulage Platform
One of the best ways to advertise that you have a fleet on the road would be to register with an online truck haulage platform. This is where you can list the services your trucks can provide, the types of loads they can haul, and contact information where you are more than happy to discuss rates. You would be surprised just how quickly some of those one-off gigs can become regular hauling jobs for the long term.
Keep Your Fleet Regularly Maintained and Serviced
Always keep a schedule of when each truck needs to be brought in, inspected and serviced at regular intervals. Many trucking companies rely on mileage as their gauge. It is far better to take a lorry off the road for a day or two to be serviced and/or repaired than to have it break down on a haul requiring towing and emergency pickup and transport of the load it’s carrying.
It’s time to get in on the ground floor before another breakdown in the supply chain can happen again. By mitigating loss through great insurance cover and regularly maintaining your fleet, you can expect a decent ROI. Along with careful calculations on cost vs. ROI, you will be amazed at just how profitable a business a trucking service can be.
