HomeProRX's Time-Saving, Profit-Making Contractor Van

This level of organization also breeds a different culture in our company, mpg is irrelevant at that point.

Quick-grab

Every contractor uses drills, drivers, multi-tools, and other battery powered tools a lot. In this van, these tools individually slot into a slanted shelf. It's easy to see if one is missing and each tool can be grabbed in an instant.

A power strip powers a shelf of battery chargers next to the slotted power tool storage.

Not all the tools can hang neatly from a slot. For those tools, primarily air nailers and staplers, they built individual cubbies.

On Board Power

They hook this truck up to shore power to keep batteries charged and to run a microwave. The microwave saves all that time and money that's taken for people to run out to buy lunch. Should be healthier, too!

To hook into shore power, they use a male RV receptacle on the outside of the van that can connect to the grid with an extension cord.

Systainer System

HomePro RX uses several Festool Systainers for storing their tools and materials. There are Systainers for things like screws, lasers, staplers, and a Hilti hammer drill.

Some of the Systainers use Kaizen foam inserts to keep the inside of the tool box organized.

Using Little Ladders

Almost every tradesman needs a ladder. Instead of using large ladders mounted on the outside of the van, they pack a 16' Little Giant multi-purpose ladder and two step ladders up against the bulkhead. Because they're short, they don't take up much space.

These ladders are easy to reach and there's no fumbling with roof rack connections like with a roof-mounted ladder. These ladders are also easy to set up or bring inside a house.

The biggest downside to a multipurpose ladder is the weight - they are heavier than a step ladder that matches their fully extended size.

Fast Grab Tools at the Side Cargo Door

Heavy, bulky tools are sometimes difficult to manage. These aren't typically used in a mobile workshop (like you might do with an on-board drilling or soldering station), but are instead hauled on to the job site or just outside the van.

Recognizing this, they built cubbies at the side cargo door of the van so that it would be easier to slide and grab the miter saw, table saw, and a folding workbench.

These tools, by the way, are battery powered! It is not so common yet to go full battery power, but many contractors are doing this to save the time of coiling and uncoiling cords plus looking for and routing to power sources.

How much time could you save on every job by simply setting up your table saw instead of setting it up then plugging it in?

Still Tethered to the Grid

That said, they still need to run an air compressor from time to time. They have a small air compressor at the back of the van and store about 250' of extension cords to run the compressor and provide shore power to the van.

They carry 100' of compressor hose.

Stainless Mechanic Box

They use a stainless steel mechanic's tool box to store small hand tools. To keep these tools organized, they use Kaizen foam to form spaces for each tool. As Jorge says, this makes it easy to keep track of tools:

At the end of the day, if anything's missing, we know something has to go back.

These drawers also hold consumables like saw blades and grinder wheels, and one drawer is dedicated to tape.

Job Protection, Cleanup, and Cleanliness

They take job cleanup seriously and carry tools to do that.

Contractor bags, dropcloths, trashcans, and a broom give them all the tools and supplies they need to keep a jobsite protected and clean. A battery-powered blower can be used to quickly blow dust out of the van or parts of some job sites.

Two Festool vacuums rest on shelves right at the back of the truck. Neither needs to be tied down. Instead, the plywood shelves they're on have lips to keep them in place. No removing tie downs means time saved.