Catering Van

While there are many catering van conversion services available, it’s possible to do the conversion yourself. This will take time, but it can be done.

Get a Van to Renovate

While you can use any old van, it helps if the van is in good condition. It means you will have to do a lot less work. The van should also be spacious. The dimensions however, will depend on what equipment you’ll be putting in it. You can avoid a lot of problems if you plan ahead.

A van with easy access is recommended. This means getting a van with as few steps to negotiate as necessary. A good choice would be a van that has a back door. Vans with two doors that remain open will also be sufficient.

Renovating the Van

To begin the catering van conversion, remove all the seats except the ones up front. You can also add new flooring. If you haven’t already, measure the sides so you can add the shelves. Use clamps and screws to attach the shelves. You should add detachable brackets to the shelves.

Next, add some thermal boxes at the van’s other side. This is where you will install the hot and cold food, respectively. The boxes can be constructed of heavy insulated plastic or Styrofoam. Connect these to a board that can slide in and out of the vehicle.

Conversion Services

If DIY conversions are too much work, there are companies that will do it for you. Many of them can convert not just vans but also other vehicles.

The process will vary per company. But usually you just specify the vehicle you want to convert. Then they will make the necessary renovations to the van. Cupboards, water systems, counters and other equipment will be added. You have to specify what equipment to put in. The costs of these services will vary.

Other Considerations

It’s a good idea to compute the costs of hiring vehicle conversion companies vs. doing it yourself. Do not attempt to do the renovation unless you know what you are doing. This is especially true for the water systems, electrical and gas equipment. But if you have the know-how, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do it.

Catering van conversions is one of the quickest ways you can get started in the mobile catering business. Whether you decide to do the conversion DIY style or hire a company, you should always pay attention to the details.

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