January is a strange month for van hire. It’s quieter than Christmas, but far from dead. In fact, for a lot of people across Kent, it’s when vans suddenly become essential again.
The holidays are over. Real life starts creeping back in. And that’s when we see the same patterns every year at Hire2You.
Here’s how van hire actually looks in Kent once the New Year rolls around.
The First Two Weeks: Clear Outs and Catch Ups
Early January is all about clearing space. Garages that filled up over Christmas. Spare rooms that became storage. Properties that need emptying after tenants moved out before the holidays.
This is when we see a lot of:
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SWB vans used for quick clear-outs
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LWB vans for heavier household loads
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Flatbeds and tippers for waste and site cleanups
People usually don’t want anything fancy. They just want a van that starts, has space, and lets them get the job done in one or two trips.
Mid-January: Trades Get Busy Again
Once the first week or two pass, trades start picking up properly. Jobs that were paused in December come back online. New contracts start. Materials need moving again.
Builders, landscapers, and contractors around Kent often hire because:
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Their own van is booked elsewhere
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They need an extra vehicle short term
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A job needs a specific van type
This is where tippers, flatbeds, and long wheelbase vans are most popular. January is cold, messy, and busy. Hiring makes more sense than pushing worn-out vehicles through another winter.
Late January: Moves, Restarts, and New Plans
Toward the end of the month, we see a different type of customer. People moving house after the holidays. Businesses restarting deliveries. Small companies testing new ideas without committing to buying vehicles.
Luton vans become popular again here. They’re ideal for moves and bulk transport, especially when people want to get everything done in one go.
January is also when a lot of customers hire “just for now” and then come back again later in the year.
Choosing the Right Van in Winter
Hiring a van in January is slightly different to summer. Loads are heavier. Roads are wetter. Days are shorter.
That’s why customers often choose:
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LWB vans instead of SWB for fewer trips
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Lutons instead of smaller vans for moving
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Flatbeds or tippers for trade waste rather than enclosed vans
It’s not about size for the sake of it. It’s about efficiency when conditions are not ideal.
What Van Hire Looks Like in Kent in January
Most January hires are short, practical, and purposeful. People don’t browse endlessly. They know what they need.
Typical hires we see across Kent include:
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A one-day SWB van for a garage clear-out
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A weekend LWB van for moving furniture
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A week-long tipper hire for site work
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A Luton for a full house move
January isn’t about luxury. It’s about getting back on track.
Why People Still Hire Locally in the New Year
Big national hire companies slow down in January. Local companies don’t. That’s one of the reasons people come to us.
Being based in Medway means we’re used to January work. Short notice. Muddy boots. Last-minute changes. We keep vans ready and the process simple.
People hiring in January don’t want sales talk. They want a van that works.
If You’re Hiring a Van This January
A few simple tips that help every year:
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Book early if you can, January still gets busy
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Choose slightly bigger than you think you need
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Allow extra time, winter jobs always take longer
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Ask if you’re unsure, choosing wrong wastes money
We’d rather point you to the right van than see you struggle with the wrong one.
New Year Van Hire Without the Fuss
January is about momentum. Whether that’s clearing space, restarting work, or moving forward with plans you paused last year.
If you need New Year van hire in Kent, keep it simple. Get the right vehicle, get the job done, and move on to the next thing.
That’s how most of our customers use vans in January. No drama. Just progress.