If you’re running a construction firm, a warehousing operation, or a business in a wide range of other niches, then there are going to be times where you need to hire some heavy-duty equipment. While your choices in hiring may seem like a fairly minor decision, they can have a pretty big impact on your bottom line. Here are some of the most important considerations when hiring any piece of equipment.
Delivery Times
All too often, business owners will see an available piece of equipment, and rush into hiring it without considering how quickly they’ll be able to actually start using the equipment. Delivery times, in a way, are going to be much more important to your overall success than any of the actual features on the equipment. If you want the equipment delivered on Monday morning, be aware that these times are exceedingly popular, so it’s important to book for this slot well in advance. If the site where you need the equipment is surrounded by narrow dirt lanes, school zones or low bridges, it’s a good precaution to mention these to the hiring company, and assure punctual delivery. I don’t have to tell you how important efficiency is at your business, so don’t overlook delivery times!
Service and Support
Another important part of your equipment hiring process is checking that you’ll receive a high standard of service and support throughout your hire. When you find that a piece of machinery suddenly needs some kind maintenance, or that staff aren’t familiar with using one of its features, then the time you lose can have a massive impact on your project. This is something that’s become more and more of a standard with equipment hire companies. Businesses like Height 4 Hire, for example, not only hire out equipment, but offer training sessions to make sure the machinery is implemented smoothly within the project. Sometimes, a lack of support can be reflected in a company’s rates, so don’t get taken in by those low, low prices! Unless you’ve got enough people on the team with extensive experience with the exact model, make sure you find a firm that offers technical service and support.
Quality of Equipment
When you’re paying for anything, the quality is obviously going to be a big deciding factor, and heavy machinery shouldn’t be an exception. Again, I’ll remind you to avoid getting taken in by low rates right off the bat! If the equipment is notably old, or it doesn’t have a set schedule in terms of service and maintenance, then it’s going to be much more likely to suffer a technical failure and set your business back. When you’re looking at prospective companies to hire from, be sure to call them up and ask them about how they service their equipment. Provided that they’re thoroughly checked, cleaned and serviced before each hire, you should have little to worry about.
Take these factors into account before you hire equipment, and you’ll maximise your chances of a smooth, hassle-free experience.