As a remodeling company grows, it may reach a point where it considers putting together a fleet of vehicles for its work crews. This is a great way to make sure employees have all the needed tools. And it is another medium to market the company. For expert advice on putting together and managing a fleet, Qualified Remodeler spoke to Bob Johnson, director of fleet relations at the National Truck Equipment Association.

Qualified Remodeler: What are some of the advantages of putting together a fleet of vehicles for a remodeling business?

Bob Johnson: It becomes a great way to advertise the business, especially if the vehicle is maintained and looks good. If I’m a remodeler and have well-maintained vehicles with a logo or billboard on it, people are going to say, “boy those sure look nice, they must be a good remodeling company.” On the other hand, if you don’t take care of them and beat them all to pieces, people will think, “they don’t even take care of their equipment, I sure don’t want them to come work for me.”

Without a fleet, a remodeler generally requires its employees to use their own vehicles and the second you do that, those people become your agents and you assume a lot of liability because they’re not your vehicles. If I don’t provide vehicles and just expect employees to provide their own trucks, I have very little say in the condition of those vehicles, which can reflect negatively on a jobsite.

QR: What are some of the things that remodelers should think about before putting together a fleet?

BJ: The first thing I tell people to do is sit down and define their application. For example, if I was a remodeler I would think, “I’m going to need to probably start with a pickup truck or a van.” What they first need to do is really define what they’re going to be doing with the vehicle and what their job requirements are.

Once they define the job of the vehicle, they need to identify the additional requirements that the job is going to have. What do they need these vehicles to do? Do they need a vehicle to transport tools or certain materials? Do they need it for jobsite water protection or security? Once applications are defined, then it can be determined what sorts of vehicles they’re going to need. It’s a lot better than just saying, “I need a truck” and then just going out and buying it. Start by really analyzing the requirements of the job.

QR: What things should a remodeler be concerned with when putting together a fleet?