The day-to-day reality of the UK’s tradespeople is being hampered by more than just busy schedules and tough working conditions. A new study from storage solutions brand Bunker reveals that disorganised vans and fears of tool theft are taking a measurable toll on both productivity and mental wellbeing.
Vans in Disarray
According to the research, more than half of UK tradespeople describe the inside of their van as messy. Over a third express a desire to get better organised, yet many feel unable to do so—nearly a quarter cite time pressure as the main barrier to keeping their van in order.
This lack of organisation is not just a minor inconvenience. One in three tradespeople say they often waste time looking for tools and essentials in their van. On average, that adds up to 51 minutes lost every week—equivalent to more than 40 hours a year per person. That is time that could otherwise be spent on jobs, training, or rest.
Despite this, 41% of tradespeople claim to know where everything is, and 32% say they take pride in the organisation of their van. However, the findings suggest that for a majority, van clutter is contributing to broader professional stress.
Mental Health and the Shadow of Theft
A staggering 77% of tradespeople admit that the state of their van affects their mental wellbeing. But the mess inside the van is only part of the problem.
More pressing is the persistent fear of tool theft—a long-standing issue in the trades sector. The Bunker research found that over a third of tradespeople experience daily anxiety over the possibility of van break-ins and stolen tools. This aligns with a recent 2025 report from On The Tools, which shows that almost 90% of tradespeople worry about tool theft regularly.
Despite growing media attention, high-profile campaigns, and industry petitions, the problem remains unsolved. Tool theft continues to be one of the biggest threats to livelihoods in the sector, with more than a third of Bunker's respondents stating that it is their single biggest work-related worry.
A Practical Response from Industry
Bunker commissioned this research to inform the development of its new van storage collection—designed to help tradespeople bring order and security to their working environment. The new range includes stackable storage boxes lined with EVA foam, durable sliders for heavy loads, and most notably, integrated holders for Bluetooth trackers such as Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags.
Sarah Hartland, Head of Marketing at Bunker Storage, commented:
“We know that tradespeople are some of the hardest workers out there—it’s a stressful job, with long hours, challenging conditions, and the perpetual threat of tool theft. With all that going on, it’s no wonder some trades just don’t have time to keep their vans as organised as they’d like to.
As part of creating our van storage range, we really wanted to listen to the industry, to understand their concerns and how we could help make life easier. While the issue of theft is multifaceted, we want to play our part with solutions that offer protection and reassurance.”
Hartland adds that security has been placed at the heart of the new range, alongside a strong emphasis on practicality and efficiency. The goal is to support tradespeople not only in safeguarding their tools, but also in reclaiming time, space, and peace of mind.
An Industry in Need of Protection
The message from this research is clear: disorganised vans are more than just untidy—they’re time-consuming, demoralising, and in some cases, financially risky. While many tradespeople are doing their best to keep things in order, others are overwhelmed by the daily demands of their work.
With van break-ins and tool theft remaining a serious industry-wide concern, solutions that combine storage with theft deterrence could become essential in helping the UK’s trades workforce stay productive and protected.