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Van organization can make a much bigger difference to productivity than people realize, especially in restoration work where you may be carrying a lot of equipment.

I’d organize the van around frequency of use rather than simply trying to fit everything in. Items you use on almost every job should be accessible without unloading half the van to reach them.

Keep hoses, extension cords and smaller accessories in designated locations so they always go back to the same place. Shelving and labelled bins work well for smaller tools, fittings, meters and supplies. Chemicals should be secured upright so they can’t tip over or become projectiles while driving.

With larger equipment such as air movers, dehumidifiers, extractors and scrubbers, think about both loading order and weight distribution. Heavy equipment should be kept low and properly secured, with enough room to remove one machine without having to move three others first.

It’s also worth leaving some open space. A van packed perfectly to the ceiling looks impressive until you need to bring wet equipment, contaminated materials or an unexpected piece of equipment back from a job.

Probably the best rule is: every item should have a permanent home in the van. If the crew knows exactly where something belongs, loading at the end of a long job becomes much faster and you’re far less likely to leave tools behind.