Parking for vans and work vehicles: what to ask before you book
In short
Before booking, tell the host or agent how many vehicles you are bringing, how large they are and whether tools stay in them overnight, and ask whether parking is private, on-street or permit-controlled.
Parking is the thing most often overlooked and most often regretted. A great house with nowhere to put the van is not a great house.
Know what you are bringing
- How many vehicles, and how big? A long-wheelbase van is not a hatchback.
- Do you carry tools or materials overnight, and do they need to be secure?
- Do any vehicles need to be on-site, such as trailers or plant?
Questions for the host or agent
- Is parking on a private drive, in a car park, or on the street?
- If on the street, is it free, permit-only, or time-limited?
- Are there height or weight restrictions?
- Is it close enough to keep an eye on the vehicle?
If there is no parking
Ask where the nearest legal overnight parking is, and what it costs. Sometimes the answer is a nearby car park or a private arrangement. Sometimes it means looking at another property.
Tell us up front
If you tell us about vehicles in your first enquiry, we only show properties where it works.
Common questions
Does contractor accommodation include parking?
Some properties do and some do not. Always ask, and say how many vehicles you have and what size they are.
What if the property has no parking?
Ask where the nearest legal overnight parking is and what it costs, or look at a different property.
Related: Contractor accommodation. Shared houses and flats near the site, sized to the team and priced per person, per night.