Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravanning and Camping Abroad

Topic: change of career

steve mx

11/10/2015 at 9:55am
Location: glos
Outfit: elddis typhoon

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/5/2010

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 507

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	2
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

have been a builder now for 30 years and has taken its toll, also just does not excite me atall anymore, i love france and like driving so i wondered about starting a business inviolving both, maybe buying a big sprinter type van and helping people move or import export furniture etc do you think there would be enough call to make a living out of or does this service already exist ?

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Opensauce

11/10/2015 at 10:21am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Not a great deal of money in owner driver transport & long hours, ie 70+hrs/wk if you want to make a living. Plenty are doing it already, nowadays east Europeans undercutting everybody. I did continental truck driving for many yrs & it's not a holiday, you don't get a second to stop & admire the view.

Not unusual to arrive at Dover or tunnel after a 15hr day, long queue, take 5-6hrs to get across & then still you have it all to do the next day. France in the rain in winter is as grotty as anywhere else, but having said that, I did it because it beat working in a factory or on a building site.

jjgderbyshire

12/10/2015 at 12:24am
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Lunar Solaris 524

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/9/2014

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 352

Site Reviews Total:	9

Site Reviews 2024:	2
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	2

Site Nights 2024:	16
Site Nights 2023:	14
Site Nights 2022:	15
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	2

Steve, I volunteered to help someone out a few years ago and took a van load of furniture to Northern Spain, sharing the driving with the other guy. It was certainly no picnic and I wouldn't do it again. I met a bloke on the ferry going back and he did it for a living, doing removals to France and Spain in his own van. He said it paid, but you have to be competitive with your prices or the punters will just hire a van and do it themselves, like the bloke I helped out. He also said that he frequently got turned over by customs on the way back because of the number of people doing booze and baccy runs. He said he was tempted to get involved in that, but there was a real danger of getting his van impounded. Now I suppose there are more van searches because of the illegals trying any means of getting into the country. I have met Brits in France who have moved there and don't speak any French. If I had building skills, I would be looking at getting work over there for Brits doing up properties. Just a matter of familiarising yourself with the building regs over there and advertising on the various forums to get work. Good luck anyway.

-------------
jjg

mwooly10

12/10/2015 at 12:53am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Nothing at the moment

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/8/2014

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 131

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I sort of looked into this, but as said you really do need to be competitive. To give you some idea of prices you should look at "Shipley"

There are so many people driving here there and every where, they just bid to take stuff as it helps with the fuel costs and not for the profit so to speak

-------------
Milky coffee with 2 sugars please..

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Val A

12/10/2015 at 8:10am
Location: West - North Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/10/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 18741

Site Reviews Total:	30

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	4
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Steve - whilst it seems like a great idea, there are (as others have said) loads of people doing it already. On AngloInfo (website for Brits in France) you'll see any number of adverts for people offering everything from a removal service, to part loads in their car/van.

You could probably make a better living doing building work for ex-pats - there is a lack of builders down here in our part of France and getting someone to do work can be a nightmare!

Importing/exporting furniture may be an option. Le Bon Coin has loads of stuff for sale in this area - a wooden dresser that at home would cost several hundred pounds can sell here for as little as 30 euros - or even be given away (we've just been given one!!!) Have a look and see what you think.

Friends of ours in Ripon make a good living buying a van load of furniture and painting it in a 'shabbychic'style. But she is VERY artistic and it has to be done well to sell well.

oxter

12/10/2015 at 8:31am
Location: NE Scotland
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix + CRV

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/10/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3894

Site Reviews Total:	83

Site Reviews 2024:	3
Site Reviews 2023:	2
Site Reviews 2022:	7
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	6
Site Reviews 2018:	8

Site Nights 2024:	14
Site Nights 2023:	14
Site Nights 2022:	47
Site Nights 2021:	14
Site Nights 2020:	11
Site Nights 2019:	36
Site Nights 2018:	8

I know of a Brit owned small caravan site with storage in and outdoors for sale near Saumur.

Has outbuildings suitable for development and loads of land. Plenty potential.

Ask here.

-------------
playing at tinkies

franbee

12/10/2015 at 9:02am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2009

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3215

Site Reviews Total:	235

Site Reviews 2024:	19
Site Reviews 2023:	19
Site Reviews 2022:	21
Site Reviews 2021:	7
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	11
Site Reviews 2018:	9

Site Nights 2024:	30
Site Nights 2023:	37
Site Nights 2022:	40
Site Nights 2021:	14
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	16
Site Nights 2018:	13

We were camped next to a Brit at a Cote d'Azur site, he was working as a carpenter fitting out expensive villas for well off ex pats. He did a couple then went back to UK for a break. He said he could have stayed in the villas, but ended up being at their beck and call, so stayed at a campsite. Had a fancy car......

Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!

Opensauce

12/10/2015 at 9:38am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Plenty of work on the black for Brit builders in France. Same as a bloke with a van moving furniture for cash in hand undercutting those doing the job properly with insurance & so on. All fine until it all goes wrong.

steve mx

12/10/2015 at 2:43pm
Location: glos
Outfit: elddis typhoon

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/5/2010

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 507

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	2
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

food for thought sounds like the mini haulage is a no go,er wasnt really thinking of moving to france as still have kids at school and college so maybe in a few years ? dont know a thing about french working laws etc is there a website with any details ? might be a possible change of venue if not career, helped do my fathers house in brittany about 15/20 years ago which was fun but more of a working holiday so no building regs councils wages etc to deal with

lizex

12/10/2015 at 10:44pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: n+1 tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/1/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2755

Site Reviews Total:	28

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	2
Site Nights 2018:	0

When my cosy office job gets just too dull, one of my favourite pipe dreams is to get a van, take stuff (jam, childrens clothes...) to France and do the little local markets. Then I'd fill the van with French stuff (food of course, mostly) and go round the markets in the UK.

As I don't have an ounce of entrepreneurship, you can have this idea for free :)

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravanning and Camping Abroad - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4778 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder