S&J Self Drive Hire

Van and vehicle hire across Essex from three depots

S&J Self Drive Hire is a vehicle rental company that has been established since 1996. It operates from depots in Ockendon, Romford and Basildon, serving customers across Essex. The company presents itself as a family-run business and is a member of the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association). Its fleet consists of late-model vehicles, and the website states that all quoted prices include VAT, insurance and a mileage allowance.

Rental fleet and pricing structure

The hire catalogue is organised by vehicle size and body type, with daily and weekly rates. Each rate includes VAT, insurance and either 150 miles per day or 1,000 miles per week, with additional mileage charged at 12p per mile. The published rates at the time of writing are as follows:

• Small Van: £70 per day or £350 per week, described as suitable for smaller household jobs.
• SWB Van (Short Wheel Base): £90 per day or £400 per week, significantly larger than the small van.
• LWB Van (Long Wheel Base): £100 per day or £450 per week, suited to bulky items.
• XLWB Van (Extra Long Wheel Base): £120 per day or £500 per week, also for bulky loads.
• Luton Tail-Lift: £150 per day or £600 per week, with a tail-lift to ease loading for house moves.
• Tipper: £150 per day or £600 per week, intended for materials such as sand or soil.
• Dropside: £150 per day or £600 per week, an open-back truck with drop sides for easier loading.
• 7.5 Ton Box Tail-Lift: £200 per day or £800 per week, the largest vehicle in the fleet, aimed at larger house moves or very heavy goods.

For the 7.5-tonne vehicle, the company notes that drivers must have held a category C1 entitlement for at least two years and be over 25 years of age. Age restrictions are also mentioned for the fleet in general. Continental hire is available, with prices provided on request.

Booking terms and flexibility

The website highlights several booking conditions: there is no booking fee, daily and weekly rates are fixed, and bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before the hire period begins. If dates change, customers are asked to notify the company so that the booking can be adjusted. A price guarantee is also offered: if a customer finds a like-for-like quote cheaper elsewhere, S&J will beat it.

Depots and contact points

The company operates from three locations, each with its own phone number. The Ockendon depot can be reached on 01708 67 11 22, the Romford depot on 01708 73 33 03 and the Basildon depot on 01268 52 23 11. The general email address is info@sjgroup.biz, and a second address, info@sandjselfdrive.co.uk, also appears on the site. The online booking form allows customers to select a pickup location from Basildon, Ockendon or Romford.

Customer feedback

The website includes several testimonials. A reviewer named Rev. Andrew mentions collecting and returning a Vauxhall van from the Romford branch and describes the staff as helpful and straightforward. David Parker comments on the efficiency of hiring a Luton van and the cleanliness of the vehicles. Alan describes hiring a truck from the Ockendon depot and notes that the vehicle was clean and that staff explained its operation before departure. Jim Pepper, who works for a removal company, states that he has used S&J for over ten years and continues to do so when his own vans are booked out.