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Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:26 pm
by KLS
Just wondering what peoples views are on buying equipment such as diggers/dumpers, is it wort it or is it best to hire?
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 8:33 pm
by lutonlagerlout
a secure yard and a mechanical mind are the key things
when we had a yard we had a dumper,an old ford,loads of scaffold ,big diesel mixer etc etc
but now its lock ups its not so secure
so we hire in
LLL
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:03 pm
by GB_Groundworks
We buy 
don't hire unless we haven't got but then if the job needs it we'll buy it then if not needed sell it on , certain things we do hire like sheet pilling hammers etc but that's about it.
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:27 pm
by dig dug dan
Depends how often you are going to use something. Hire is ok, but nothing like having your own digger on site for a month, just using it here and there without being charged, plus you can add attachments hire companies don't have.
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:46 pm
by Kuts
Only thing i hire is an asphalt paver, it kills me as my dad had 3 of the fooking things back in the day.
£500per day for machine + £300 transport + VAT
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:26 pm
by mickg
hire
its cost 10 pence to get one delivered and 10 pence to get it picked up, other than the cost of fuel to run it for the duration its required there is no more cost involved after the daily rate
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 7:11 am
by dig dug dan
Mick, there is a hire firm round here its 30 delivery, 30 pickup, 120 for the day, and 30 to fill it with diesel. They wont let you use your own fuel. That's even if its 5mins up the road!
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:34 am
by Carberry
dig dug dan wrote:Mick, there is a hire firm round here its 30 delivery, 30 pickup, 120 for the day, and 30 to fill it with diesel. They wont let you use your own fuel. That's even if its 5mins up the road!
I refuse to use them if they won't let me put my own fuel in.They're all charging a fortune for the diesel.
Hiring versus buying - as others have said, it depends on how often you're going to use it, how secure your yard is and whether you can comfortably maintain the stuff yourself. I have bought just about all the small tools I need, could do with a nail gun at some point. Hire any of the bigger stuff like diggers and dumpers, would like to buy one day though.
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:55 am
by msh paving
I don't very often hire, anything needed for paving work i have bought over time,hydraulic power pack for breaker, mixer, wackers, pumps, 3 diggers 2 dumpers and all hand and power tools also grundomat moles
if you own it its there when needed and no worry with hire cost,
i probilly have more plant then i realy need but it was all bought from auctions, sales etc, i guess i'm a bit of a tool and plant addict 
MSH
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 1:48 pm
by Dave_L
Kuts wrote:Only thing i hire is an asphalt paver £500per day for machine + £300 transport + VAT
Is that with a driver and you have to screw it yourselves?
Is that with a driver and you have to screw it yourselves?
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 2:31 pm
by Kuts
driver and a screw man
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:09 pm
by rab1
As everyone else has said, if you use it every day and can securely store,maintain etc then buy. We have about 20 genie hoists but now mainly hire due to the cost of shipping and 6mth safety certs etc.
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:43 pm
by KLS
My main issue would be transport if I was to buy, as I passed my test after jan 97 I cant tow with out taking the extension test, then its everything to do with the tacos etc as plant would mostly be towed with a transit dropside, its off setting the cost of the hire charges to all of the time associated with the paper work.
I would only be looking at say 1.5t mini digger and 1t high lift dumper, so storage shouldn't be too much of an issue, if needs be I have a 'yard' at home so could store them there. Unless it was a major issue maintaining can be done in house too.
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:03 pm
by local patios and driveway
Why buy when you can hire from us, delivered, fuel, a driver and the digger, plus we repair the machine if its damaged, we are insured for loss or theft or liability, we are faster and safer than a bricklayer having a play, and theres no heavy deposit to stump up. All for £200 a day. Winner!
Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:32 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i think MSH and DDD are mechanically minded
my mind goes blank with anything mechanical,best i have ever managed was changing a wheel
plantmasters in dunstable are very reasonable to us kieran for wackers stuff like that,think its only £10 delivery
so if we need a wacker for a job they bring it out (heavy diesel one 130kg)
we use it for 2 hours,they then pick it up and it has cost me £25 all in
no stress about transporting it or losing it,plus its always fueled up
the pikeys nicked my beaver pack,wacker and bosch breaker, and the 2 grand cost to replace was too much
LLL