Best Vans for Builders in 2025
As a builder, it is imperative to have the right tools for the job – and when we say ‘tools’, we are talking about the van as well. While we can’t speak for the best tool kits on the market, we can give you the lowdown on the best vans for builders in 2025.
Whether it is hammers, drills, saws or chisels, the kit for a builder needs to be fit for purpose. The same can be said about vans, which serve the purpose of transporting all of that kit – not to mention equipment, supplies and materials - during its working life.
Indeed, a builders’ van will be put through the sternest of tests, making it crucial that any choice is sturdy, reliable and hard-wearing.
From large vans to small vans, dropside vans to pick-up trucks, there is a commercial vehicle out there that will be well suited to meet the demands for any builder’s business.
But which models are Vansdirect’s best buys for builders?
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What Makes a Good Van for a Builder?
Payload – A generous payload is always important for any van engaged in business activities, but for builders it is of the utmost priority. Whether it is bags of cement, bricks, masonry or all of those hefty metal tools, building supplies and equipment are notoriously weighty, so it’s crucial you have a van that can take the strain and do so legally.
Load Space – While some items you transport might be heavy, others might simply be very big so it’s worth taking a moment to consider whether a small or medium van would be up to the job of swallowing supplies and materials with ease.
Practical Features – You might think that vans are simply a large cargo bays on wheels but many of today’s models are brimming with clever touches to improve versatility. From clever load-through hatches that extend the cargo space, to neatly positioned cubby holes, to ‘mobile office’ features, there is more to a van that what you see behind the bulkhead.
Secure – It is no secret that the scourge of tool theft has been on the rise, so if your livelihood depends on your van, security should be taken seriously. Vansdirect offers lockable racking and security solutions to ensure your new van and its contents repel thieves.
What Type of Van is Best for a Builder?
Panel Van – Panel vans are the most versatile commercial vehicle options out there so the question you should be asking yourself is which size should you choose. A medium van is often the ‘best of both worlds’ by providing spacious load bays and generous payloads, while being compact enough to fit into car parks and able to carry ladders on the roof.
It should be pointed out that large vans may not necessarily have a bigger payload than a medium van as they are heavier to start with. It means payload capacity is lowered to compensate for this, so it is important to consider whether payload or outright carrying capacity is more important to you.
Small vans shouldn’t be discounted either. If the majority of the heavy lifting associated with the building trade can be carried out by other means, small vans can still handle around 1000kg of payload – ideal for carrying tools and getting supplies – while proving more economical and easier to drive.
Dropside Van – Dropside vans feature hinged tailboards and sideboards which can be dropped down below the load bed for easier access. This makes them ideal for transporting loose material – such as cement or gravel – while the reinforced load bed can handle vast payloads.
Tipper Van – Tipper vans come with the functionality to raise the flat bed at an angle to allow the payload to come off at the rear. Tipper vans are therefore more useful for unloading loose materials such as dirt, gravel and sand.
Pick-Up Truck – Four-wheel drive pick-up trucks are well-liked for their ability to carry large and heavy payloads further afield than the average van, while they also provide easy access for loading/unloading.
Best Vans for Builders in 2025
Ford Transit
Body Styles: L2/H2, L2/H3, L3/H2, L3/H3, L4/H3
Engines: 2.0-litre 130 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 165 (Diesel), 68kWh 184 (Electric), 68kWh 269 (Electric), 89kWh 269 (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 924-2145kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 750-3500kg
After 60 years of dutiful service to the commercial industry, it isn’t hyperbole to suggest the Britain has been built on the back of the Ford Transit over the past few decades.
The strength of the Transit is the sheer breadth and depth of the range with myriad engines, body styles and gross vehicle weights available to help you tailor the exact van to meet the demands of your business.
It doesn’t hurt either that the Transit has some of the most generous payloads and load carrying capacity in the large van class, while being a Ford it is also well-built and is a refined drive.
And don’t forget that vast Ford dealer network, which will help you get back on the road in no time if you hit a problem.
VERDICT: A huge range of body styles and specifications means the Ford Transit can be built around the specific needs of any business, especially builders.
- 60 Years of the Ford Transit Van: The Evolution of a Motoring Icon
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Body Styles: L2/H2, L3/H2, L4/H2
Engines: 2.0-litre 150 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 170 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 190 (Diesel), 81kWh 135 (Electric), 81kWh 200 (Electric), 113kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 946-2479kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 2000-3500kg
If your business requires no compromise when it comes to payload and load carrying capacity, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will have you covered with its vast range of panel van options.
With many models in the range exceeding 2000kg in terms of payload capacity – and going all the way to a maximum of 2479kg – there is a Sprinter to suit even the heaviest of duty tasks.
With even the entry-level L2 measuring 5.9m (going all the way to 7.3m with the L4), the Sprinter matches its payload carrying ability with impressive load space too.
Better still, like the Ford Transit, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter can be had in various body styles, including tipper van, dropside van and as a chassis cab.
VERDICT: Combining a generous payload with a large cargo capacity, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter also stands out with its huge range of engine and body style options.
- VW Crafter vs. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter - What Are The Differences?
See Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van Deals
Ford Transit Custom
Body Styles: L1/H1, L2/H1
Engines: 2.0-litre 110 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 136 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 150 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 170 (Diesel), 2.5-litre (Petrol/Plug-In Hybrid), 65kWh 136 (Electric), 65kWh 218 (Electric), 65kWh 285 (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 846-1407kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 2000-2800kg
There are several good reasons to explain why the Ford Transit Custom rules the roost as the best-selling commercial vehicle in the UK, the most significant being that it simply gets the basics of what makes a good van spot on.
Indeed, the bare essentials of a medium van stipulate that it must be spacious, have a generous payload capacity and be versatile enough to handle all manner of tasks.
So, the fact that the Transit Custom can offer a payload upwards of 1407kg and has the most spacious load bay of any model in the medium van class suggests it does exactly that.
That it is also engaging to drive, has a quality interior and can be tailored with all manner of trim and engine (including electric and plug-in hybrid) choices is just the icing on the cake.
VERDICT: The Ford Transit Custom strikes the best of both worlds with its capacious, well-designed cargo bay and class-leading payload capacity potential
- Ford Transit Custom vs. Vauxhall Vivaro: Which Is The Best Medium Van?
- 2025 Ford Transit Custom Trims and Engines Explained
See Ford Transit Custom Van Deals
Citroen Dispatch
FIAT Scudo
Peugeot Expert
Toyota Proace
Vauxhall Vivaro
Body Styles: M, XL or L1, L2 or Standard, Long or Panel, XL – H1
Engines: 1.5-litre (Diesel), 2.0-litre 150 (Diesel), 2.0-litre 180 (Diesel), 75kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 927-1384kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 1000-2500kg
Regardless of whether you choose the Citroen Dispatch, FIAT Scudo, Peugeot Expert, Toyota Proace or Vauxhall Vivaro, you’ll be getting a well-packaged, very capable workhorse that will stand up to the demands of being a builders’ tool.
Though not the largest models in the medium van class, attention to detail has been paid to the cargo spaces to help maximise practicality, including load-through hatches and sliding doors on both sides.
They also offer the best average payload capacity of any medium van when the entire range is taken into account, while electric models can travel up to 230-miles on a single charge.
VERDICT: The Citroen Dispatch, FIAT Scudo, Peugeot Expert, Toyota Proace and Vauxhall Vivaro display excellent all-round abilities with some clever practical touches too
- Master of its Trade: 2025 Peugeot E-Expert Review
- 2025 Toyota Proace: Everything You Need To Know
- Ford Transit Custom vs. Vauxhall Vivaro: Which Is The Best Medium Van?
Citroen Berlingo
FIAT Doblo
Peugeot Partner
Vauxhall Combo
Body Styles: M, XL - L1, L2 - Standard, Long - Panel, XL
Engines: 1.5-litre 100 (Diesel), 1.5-litre 130 (Diesel), 52kWh (Electric)
Payload Capacity Range: 691-982kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 750-1050kg
While small vans are not designed to handle the biggest builders’ tasks of lugging heavy materials around, if all you need is a convenient, economical yet still spacious commercial vehicle to carry tools and supplies, then it will do the job.
With this in mind, it is still worthwhile getting a small van that offers the most generous payload for when you need it.
If so, the Citroen Berlingo, FIAT Doblo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo fulfil this brief to a tee with certain models in the range capable of hauling up to a class-leading 982kg of payload.
VERDICT: Well-packaged and capable of carrying payload that belies their size, the Citroen Berlingo, FIAT Doblo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo are small vans with big potential
- The Evolution of the Citroen Berlingo
- Citroen Berlingo vs. Renault Kangoo: Which is the Best Small Van?
- 2025 FIAT Doblo: Everything You Need To Know
- 2025 Vauxhall Combo: Everything You Need To Know
Isuzu D-Max
Engines: 1.9-litre (Diesel)
Payload Capacity Range: 1085-1205kg
Braked Towing Capacity: 2500-3500kg
Pick-up trucks are designed to tackle some of the toughest jobs, whether they are hauling heavy payloads, lugging big trailers or grappling with the rough stuff off-road.
And no pick-up truck is more adept at taking on each of these tasks than the rugged Isuzu D-Max.
Available in Single Cab, Extended Cab or Double Cab body style, the D-Max is equipped with a torquey 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine and is good for between 1085-1205kg of payload depending on the model chosen.
Moreover, it is seriously capable off-road, making it ideal for builders who need to carry heavy weight across slippery terrain.
VERDICT: Unstoppable in the rough stuff and built to transport heavy loads, the Isuzu D-Max will take anything that is thrown at it.
- 2025 Isuzu D-Max: Everything You Need To Know
- Which Pick-Up Trucks Have The Largest Payload 2025
See Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up Truck Deals
Honourable Mentions
Iveco Daily
When it comes to heavy-duty tasks, the Iveco Daily with its separate ladder frame chassis and 8000 different configurations is specifically designed to handle the most extreme jobs other vans can’t.
Indeed, the benefit of this type of chassis means that the Daily can be extended to an enormous 7680mm length in its largest form.
With a GVW of up to 7.2-tonnes, though you need a special licence to drive one, no other van can come close to matching this model’s sheer 19.6 cubic metres of cargo capacity.
