Precisely. First step to being an OD is having work lined up.
Got to agree.
Work: A signed contract with guarantees of minimum income if the work goes quiet, at good rates including a sliding element joined to fuel prices, from an established company, and you’re good to go!
What rates are out there?
Often “I wouldn’t get of bed for that”, when you really need to earn at least “Hmmm, that might just work”.
^^^^
I’m a bit out of touch these days with o/d stuff, but things have changed if contracts (if there are actually such a thing now) include guarantees of minimum income if work goes quiet.
In the old days you rang the local big boys up to tide you over for a couple of weeks, you did their work for a lot less rates than your own, and it was a bonus if they found you work back, (unless you had your own which I had) and you would wait 90 days until they decided to pay you.
Not a problem mate.
I don’t think times have changed much. 
Look guys, I respect everyone’s opinion, but I’m not looking for advice, I’m at the stage where I’m gathering information, I’ll make my mind then, sorry for your hassle, probably firstly I should have mentioned that, but if anyone honestly have really good intentions to offer me work, please DM me
News story of an owner driver having financial pressures.
To be fair there is a lot of companies gone no doubt more to follow wether it be bad manage undercutting others just to get work.
Surley there has to come a point when there’s so much stuff to move and not enough trucks or people to move it.
If you’ve done your homework business plan are good with figures and have a good business brain I’d say it’s possibly doable but doubt you’d make a fortune doing it
Oops wrong post.
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Surely it is no different than any other business.
I had a courier company, did OK, until I didn’t. I was an OD for a couple of years, didn’t really earn any more than had I worked as a driver, ran an online retailer for a few years, was fine when I was small and specialist, but failed at that too. Yet I know people who have made it, well knew them.
Specialism is the way to go for anyone aiming to be an OD, I know a few successful ODs doing things like grab or other hiab work, some car delivery people too, but anyone thinking they can make a living doing OD general haulage is likely to bomb, or get no further than Amazon driving, which is a whole other game unto itself.
And anyone wanting to be an OD needs to be their own TM (with all that goes with that gig) or its just not worth it.
We need more info-what’s your target field? Rates vary depending on the work you’re doing. Are you aiming for containers, tanks, tippers, vehicle transportation, round timber, livestock, the list is endless and the rates will be very different dependant on the type of work.
Also you need to tell us the size of vehicle you will be buying and the age as being ULEZ compliant will make a big difference to the type of work you can do.
I’m like Robroy-been there, got the tee-shirt but now happily retired and wouldn’t advise anyone without some good family or friend connections to enter the industry. It is a very easy way to lose everything if it goes wrong and it does quite regularly. Far better invest your hard earned in training for a profession (which driving is not!) such as plumbing, sparky, chippy etc.
Anyway it’s your choice, just do it wisely. Good luck.
… sorry to hijack the post but I’m keen to know the rates of various loads too …
Like @lee29 I’m considering getting into the industry as an OD
I’ve an established company with healthy accounts and we move plant and machinery on a small scale so i want to up scale it.
I have got an operator’s license for two HGVs and trailers also for my two 3.5t. I’m also the companies qualified TM and the driver…
I’m keen to do low loader work but possibly jump in on container work (live near manchester/liverpool), traction and other stuff if needed…
I’ve already started making contact’s for work now before I’ve committed to buying the truck so i’m looking to make more contacts also.
I understand the industry is heavily regulated, i understand the implications of running vehicles (i have lots of vehicles, plant and machinery and I’m very hands on)
I understand i would never risk my house for a company I own
I understand business, I’ve won and i’ve lost and I’ve been self employed for 21 years
I’m just keen to get involved and know how tough business is in ANY industry.
Any help greatly appreciated
As you say plenty of fair paying work out there? but there always have been but most are to stiff to go and look for it ?
I started with direct work and never looked back.
I don`t know you but the offer you have given to Lee , makes me think you are one of the old school, and if i was him i would be having a word with you as knowone offered to help me,
i started in 1972 looks like around your time ?