Not all accidents end up in a collision, some trip over things in their vans due to the mess says Clive Holland.

Danny Madden of Madden Builders acknowledges that most tradespeople including himself have untidy and littered vans as once the work is over people just rush home or to their next job.

Quoting his dad, Madden says: “We spend [a lot of] time looking for stuff in the back of the van, which is ridiculous.”

He points out that this causes tradesmen to make unnecessary purchases of tools and materials as they can’t find them in the van due to all the mess.

To change things up, Madden has gotten into a routine where at the end of each day, he spends 10 minutes tidying up the van.

“Psychologically it makes you feel better. When you open the van door it feels so much better looking at a neat arrangement rather than everything just strewn over,” he claims.

It pays to be tidy, he notes, “It makes you feel so much better doing your job. Which is why I try and do my best to keep my van as organised and neat as possible.”

Madden also points out that with tradespeople facing mental health issues, it’s important to note that a messy van can be a part of the problem.

He does agree that it’s challenging to maintain a clean and neat van all the time, but it’s vital to take the time to put in those extra minutes to keep your vehicle organised.

Alex Burman of Errioc Carpentry popularly known as the Valley Viking who also joined the show said that his van too is a bit untidy although not very cluttered.

“I cannot stand the mess, so I tend to box things up and usually keep them in their place. I had a strict upbringing,” he says.

Burman’s secret to having a tidy van is having a bin where any rubbish coming in goes straight to the bin.

Many listeners who tuned into the show said that while it’s difficult to always maintain a clean and tidy van, it’s critical to do so.

To hear the full show, click below.