How to Choose a Plant Hire Company

Plant Hire Company
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When you are doing a full property renovation, choosing the right machinery to do it with will save time and costs. You may have to level ground for an extension or dig up some of the formwork to lay new piers or foundations. All this work must be done by machine and plant hire is far more affordable than purchasing machinery to do it with.

Honest and communicative

However, it is important to choose the right company to deal with. Not only should they be honest, but communicative as well. Trying to deal with a company when they don’t answer their phone or fax is difficult and frustrating. Having to work out what you need with only a junior staff member who knows next to nothing to help you, is just as bad.

Knowledgeable

You need to speak with someone who not only knows exactly what machinery they have available for hire, but can advise on the most suitable one for the work you want done. They are the machinery expert, not you – unless you’ve had some kind of experience in this area. Most handyman or even professional builders don’t know too much about the machinery needed to dig holes and ditches or level off sloping ground.

Ready and willing

You don’t need to speak with someone in the company who fobs you off or can’t answer your queries. You want someone who is willing to answer your questions. You need to know what is the cost per hour, if there is an operator, when they can come and how long it will take them to do the job. And of course the most important of all; the costs. Costs can be broken down into hourly rates, freight to deliver the machinery and rates for the operator. Then there are are fuel costs and possible breakdown costs.

What if it breaks down?

Most plant hire companies don’t charge for breakdown; they just send someone to fix it, or send another machine if it can’t be fixed on-site. You will probably have to sign an agreement before hiring plant or equipment, so be sure to read it carefully first to be sure of what you are agreeing to.

If there is something in the agreement that you don’t understand, it is quite ok to ask for clarification. It is important to know where you stand and what your responsibilities are in the matter. Once you fully understand what you are signing it won’t be long before the machinery and its operator are arriving at your address, ready and willing to get started on your project. Just make sure you check the weather forecast before you agree to the dates set for that machinery to work at your place.