All construction companies need building equipment and machinery to do the job, whether a floor saw, power float or masonry saw. Sometimes site labourers may use the same machine every day or only for a short duration for a specific job or construction project.
Construction workers have to choose whether they hire or buy the relevant tools and machinery, depending on various factors. Here’s a guide to help you determine which option is more suitable for your needs.
Benefits of construction equipment rental
The key reason why you’d choose to hire a machine is if you only need it for a short period for a specific job. It’s unnecessary to spend a lot of money on equipment you won’t use again, and it doesn’t make financial sense. Also, if you’re short on cash flow, hiring may be the only feasible option if you don’t have the cash to purchase the machine upfront.
Hiring a machine also allows you to try it and see whether it’s suitable for the job before choosing to buy it. You can see if you can trust it to perform and achieve the desired high-quality result. Some construction labourers prefer not having the responsibility to maintain the equipment, as this lies with the hiring company.
Some construction companies choose to hire so they don’t need to worry about servicing and sourcing replacement parts. Hiring also means using any limited space you have for storing essentials that you use regularly, and you don’t need to rent or buy additional storage space.
Benefits of purchasing construction equipment
The main reason you would choose to buy construction tools and machines is if you need to use them regularly for most of your jobs. Purchasing will be more cost-effective over time and save the hassle of arranging rental from hire merchants. Large construction companies can train their construction workers on that machine instead of learning how to use different equipment depending on what they hire.
If you choose to hire any equipment, it will depend on whether the rental company has it available when you want it. Hiring may be a struggle during busy periods of high demand, such as road construction or roof repairs in the springtime when the weather improves. In addition, relying on hire merchants can add additional stress in calling around different hire branches to find what you need when you need it.
If you have invested in a specific machine and have complete ownership, you’re more likely to look after it properly and control how it’s maintained. The machine will also be brand new and not used by many labourers beforehand. By using it correctly and maintaining it regularly, you’ll get more out of it, and it will be reliable for the next job.
Building Equipment Considerations
If you choose to hire construction site machines, there are some things to consider before deciding which one is the most suitable:
- How old it is and how long the merchant has had it
- The reliability
- The range
- Will the machine need access to a water source permanently, or does it have a water tank
- The features and benefits, such as whether it has vibration dampening technology to help prevent Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
- How often does it need filling up
- Whether you can use a smaller alternative instead to achieve the same result
- The overall cost. For example, the Norton Clipper CS451 floor saw may cost £45 per week over an average hire run of 10 weeks. Therefore, the total cost is £450, plus any charges for repairs due to damage and lost parts.
Overall, construction machinery hire over the medium and long term can be expensive, but there isn’t the maintenance, storage and transport costs. When deciding which option is best for you, balance the cost-effectiveness of buying versus hiring for the required length of time.
For more information on how to get the most out of your building equipment and manage costs effectively, take a look at how Norton Clipper is supporting the UK construction industry. Please get in touch if you need any further support and product recommendations.