Your guide to budget-friendly van rental without cutting corners
Hiring a van doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re moving house, picking up new furniture, clearing a garden, or running a quick delivery, there are plenty of ways to keep your rental costs low — without sacrificing quality or service.
At UDrive Van Hire in Bolton, we’ve helped thousands of people hire vans affordably. We know where the hidden costs can creep in, and we also know how to avoid them. In this blog, we’re sharing 7 insider tips to help you save money on your next van hire in Bolton — plus a few bonus insights that only a local company would tell you.
Let’s dive in!
1. Book Direct with a Local Van Hire Company
It might be tempting to go with a national chain because of a flashy website or big brand name — but here’s a little-known fact: local van hire companies are often much cheaper, with more flexibility and fewer sneaky add-ons.
At UDrive, we’re a Bolton-based family-run business, and we keep our prices fair and transparent. You won’t find booking fees, admin charges, or inflated deposits. What you see is what you get — and if you need to tweak your booking, we’re just a phone call away.
Plus, you get personal service, local knowledge, and real humans helping you, not a call centre in another city.
2. Choose the Right Size Van for the Job
One of the easiest ways to overspend is by booking a van that’s too big or too small for what you need.
Too big? You’re paying for space you don’t use.
Too small? You’ll waste time and fuel doing extra trips.
We offer a range of vans, including short wheelbase and long wheelbase (LWB) panel vans — and we’re always happy to help you pick the best one for your job. Just let us know what you’re moving and we’ll recommend the most efficient (and cost-effective) option.
Don’t guess — ask! We’d rather you save money and come back to us next time.
3. Take Advantage of Weekend Discounts and Flexible Deals
Did you know we often run weekend hire offers?
If you’ve got a flexible schedule, you can save by collecting a van on a Friday afternoon and returning it Monday morning — giving you the whole weekend for a lower rate than booking two separate days. Perfect for house moves, tip runs, and last-minute clearances.
We also offer:
- Short-term deals
- Long-term hire discounts
- Tailored packages for small businesses
If you’re not sure what works best for you, just ask. We’ll walk you through all the options and help you get the most value for your budget.
4. Avoid Companies That Add on Hidden Extras
Here’s where the costs really start to mount with some hire firms…
- Admin fees
- Insurance excess cover
- Additional driver charges
- Mileage limits
- Fuel top-up charges
- Cleaning fees
- Late return penalties
At UDrive Van Hire, we keep things simple and fair. You get:
- Insurance included
- Breakdown cover included
- An extra driver included
- Unlimited mileage on most local bookings
- No hidden cleaning fees, as long as it’s returned in a reasonable condition
It’s all clearly explained upfront. We’d rather be honest than sting you later.
5. Plan Your Route to Save Fuel and Time
Fuel can be a hidden cost in van hire — especially if you’re unfamiliar with driving a larger vehicle or you’re making multiple trips.
A few planning tips:
- Map out your route in advance to avoid traffic-heavy roads or tight urban corners
- Group tasks into one trip (e.g., pick up a sofa and do a tip run in the same hire)
- Avoid busy times, especially near Bolton’s retail parks or during school run hours
- Use eco-driving techniques like steady acceleration and avoiding harsh braking
And of course, we’ll always make sure the van is fully fuelled and ready when you collect it — and we’ll tell you exactly where to top it up before you return.
6. Collect and Return Your Van Out of Hours
Need your van early in the morning? Or working odd hours?
Most hire firms are rigid with their opening times — but we’re different. At UDrive, we offer out-of-hours collection and return, meaning you can:
- Collect your van before our usual opening time
- Drop it off later in the evening
- Fit your hire around your job, your move, or your weekend plans
No need to pay for extra days just because you can’t return during office hours. Just let us know your timing needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
7. Get Your Tip Permit in Advance (If Needed)
Doing a tip run with a hire van in Bolton? You’ll need a van permit to access local recycling centres — and without it, you’ll be turned away at the gate.
The good news? It’s free, and we’ve created a full step-by-step blog to walk you through it.
By planning ahead, you can:
- Get your permit ready in time
- Avoid delays or wasted trips
- Combine tip runs with your move or clearance
- Make sure your hired van isn’t sitting idle while you wait
Tip permits are valid for 18 visits per year and can be linked to the hire van you’re using — just make sure to allow 2 working days for approval.
Extra Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Van Hire
Still looking for ways to stretch your budget? Here are some bonus tips from our team:
Ask About Free Upgrades
If we have availability, we’ll often offer a free van upgrade — giving you more space at no extra cost.
Share the Load
Hiring with a mate? Add them as a second driver for free and share the driving (and the lifting!).
Only Hire for the Time You Need
If you only need a few hours, don’t book a full day. We’re happy to offer short-term hire slots when we can — just ask!
Keep an Eye on Facebook
We often post last-minute deals and seasonal offers on our Facebook page — so give us a follow and stay in the loop.
Why UDrive is the Smart Choice for Affordable Van Hire in Bolton
We’re not a faceless corporation. We’re a family-run Bolton business that believes in offering a great service at a fair price — with no gimmicks, no hidden costs, and no nonsense.
We’ve been helping locals with reliable van hire since 1999, and whether it’s your first hire or your fiftieth, we treat every customer with care, flexibility, and a bit of Northern common sense.
When you choose UDrive, you get:
- New 25 plate vans
- Free breakdown cover
- No hidden extras
- Out-of-hours options
- Low deposits
- Support 7 days a week
Let’s Get You on the Road
Hiring a van in Bolton doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful. At UDrive, we’ll help you keep costs down and make your experience smooth from start to finish.
Whether you’re moving house, picking up furniture, clearing a garage, or helping out a friend — we’ve got the right van, at the right price, with the service you’d expect from a local company that cares.
Call us today on 0808 100 2309
Or email us today!
Open 7 days a week — always happy to help.
