COST GUIDES
Cherry picker hire: Cost breakdown 2026
Updated 07/25
By: Content Team
Need to hire a cherry picker to access otherwise unreachable heights for DIY, building or gardening work? Find out cherry picker hire costs in this comprehensive guide.
Fast Facts
A cherry picker with a one-man crew typically costs between £27.50 - £32.50 per hour
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How much does cherry picker hire cost in 2026?
The average cost to hire a cherry picker in the UK is around £300 per day or £30 per hour, depending on the type of lift and length of hire.
However, several factors will impact your total cost, including the terrain, your location, and whether you need an operator.
| Cost provided item | Price range - low | Price range - high | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-man crew (per hour) | £27.50 | £32.50 | £30 |
| Two-man crew (per hour) | £52.50 | £67.50 | £60 |
| Scissor platform (per day) | £280 | £320 | £300 |
| Truck mounted (per day) | £370 | £400 | £385 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
Hourly hire for a cherry picker starts at around £27.50 for a one-man crew
Daily hire starts at around £280 for a standard scissor lift
Truck-mounted cherry pickers cost more to hire, but have increased reach and offer greater flexibility with uneven terrain
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The prices in this guide should act as a guide to help steer your project costs. See available cherry picker hire companies covering your area and contact them for quotes.
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How much does it cost to hire a cherry picker in the UK?
Two popular types are the scissor lift platform and the truck-mounted cherry picker.
Scissor lift cherry picker
Moves straight up and down, using a crisscross (scissor-like) mechanism
As it's compact, it's easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces
Ideal for smooth surfaces or indoor use
Can bear a load of approximately 230-450 kg
Typical cost to hire a scissor lift: £300 per day
Truck-mounted cherry picker
A mobile platform with a boom arm is mounted on a vehicle, providing greater reach (outwards and upwards)
Perfect for navigating around obstacles and accessing multiple sides of a structure
They're better suited for rough or uneven terrain
Can lift a load up to 500 kg
Typical cost to hire a truck-mounted cherry picker: £385 per day
Why hire a cherry picker?
Cherry pickers are used to help tradespeople work at height safely, and there are several types available. In general, they're:
Powered by hydraulic pressure – A lifting boom (operated by a driver) moves a basket or platform up to the required height
Quick to set up – One of the reasons that they are often preferred over traditional scaffolding
Versatile – They can adjust to various heights
Deciding which cherry picker to hire depends on the job at hand.
Common uses for cherry pickers
Cherry picker hire for roof repairs in the UK is probably one of the most common uses. However, there are plenty of other jobs they provide safe access for, including:
Building and construction work
There are a couple of different ways to hire a cherry picker. You can hire one by the hour for small jobs or by the day for larger projects. In many cases, a cherry picker hire with an operator will be included in the cost.
Cherry picker hire cost per hour
Hiring a cherry picker by the hour with a crew is the most cost-effective option for smaller tasks, such as minor roof repairs or tree pruning.
An experienced cherry picker operator can get to work efficiently and safely to maximise your hire time:
One-man crew: It typically costs between £27.50 and £32.50 per hour
Two-man crew: You're looking at paying between £52.50 and £67.50 per hour
Cherry picker hire cost per day
For larger projects, where work is likely to take longer than a couple of hours, it may be more cost-effective to hire a cherry picker for the day:
Scissor platform: It typically costs between £280 and £320 per day
Truck-mounted: Prices are between £370 and £400 per day
Cherry picker hire: Job estimator tool
Use our job estimator tool below to help calculate how much it costs to hire a cherry picker in your area.
Need help working out cost? Our job estimate tool calculates the costs for you.
Factors affecting the cost of hiring a cherry picker
Cherry picker hire is pretty straightforward, but several elements can affect your final hire cost. For example:
Vehicle size and type – Truck-mounted cherry picker costs will be higher than a standard scissor platform
Hire duration –Will determine whether you're quoted hourly or daily rates
Terrain suitability and safety features – If the site you're working on has sloped or challenging terrain, you might need to upgrade to an all-terrain cherry picker with four-wheel drive. This will be more expensive than the standard types we've explored above
Location – If the cherry picker crew has to travel far to get to you, it could cost more. This is why it's worth looking for a reviewed company covering your local area first, using our free search directory
Operator requirements – An added cost, but hiring a trained operator will increase efficiency and safety
A note about operator requirements and licenses
You might be surprised to hear that if you’re hiring a cherry picker that weighs under 3.5 tonnes, you can legally operate it as long as you have a valid UK driving licence.
However, you must hire a trained operator (or undergo training) to drive larger or more specialised cherry pickers. For safety purposes, it’s a good idea to use a trained operator regardless.
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Hidden costs to watch out for
As you budget for the cost of cherry picker hire, you may wonder if there are any additional, perhaps less obvious, costs to be aware of.
VAT – Unless already included in your quote. It's always worth double-checking with the hiring company
Fuel surcharges – May apply for longer jobs or more remote locations
Setup and delivery fees – Particularly for larger, truck-mounted models
Permit fees – If access involves public roads or footpaths, for example
Tips for reducing hire costs
Looking for ways to help you save on costs? Here are some tips for reducing hire costs:
Bundle services – Make your money go further by tackling multiple tasks in one hire. For instance, if the primary reason is to repair part of your roof, ask your tradesperson if they would consider cleaning the guttering while they are up there. Or hire a checked gutter cleaning service for the same day
Opt for companies covering your local area – Services tend to be more competitively priced
Plan your time wisely – If it's a smaller job, you may only need to hire a cherry picker for an hour
Hire a cherry picker company that's rated & reviewed in your area
Booking a checked and reviewed cherry picker hire company helps to ensure you receive a good standard of service and are charged a competitive rate.
Connect with local hire companies for quotes using our request a quote form, or enter your postcode below to begin your search.
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Cherry picker hire vs. scaffolding hire
You may be wondering whether it's cheaper to hire a cherry picker or scaffolding.
Often, people are surprised to hear that hiring a cherry picker works out more cost-effectively, but only if it's a short project. Here are some costs to compare:
Scaffolding (per week) – The cost for a single scaffold tower (up to 10m high) is about £625 per week
Cherry picker (per day) – For a standard cherry picker, you're looking at £300 per day
Cherry picker (per hour) – It typically costs £30 per hour for a one-man crew
As you can see from the costs above, hiring a cherry picker for a week soon adds up.
So, if you've got a longer-term project that requires access for more than a few hours or a single day, you're better off hiring scaffolding for a week
However, if it's a smaller project that could be done in a day, cherry-picker hire is the way forward
Cherry picker hire vs. scaffolding: pros and cons
Costs aren't the only deciding factor when choosing between a cherry picker and scaffolding. There are other important considerations, such as functionality and safety. Let's look at the pros and cons of each:
Pros of cherry pickers
Safety – The stable platform or basket often comes with additional safety measures, such as harnesses to keep tradespeople safe
Flexibility – Can be used on challenging terrains, such as sloping ground and at various heights, thanks to the stabilising feet
Quick setup – No build time like scaffolding
Cons of cherry pickers
More expensive – If you need to hire one for more than a day, the hire costs can add up
Clearance space – You'll need space for the cherry picker stabilising legs and for the operating cabin to manoeuvre
Height restrictions – Maximum height may be lower than some scaffolding setups
Wind limitations – You might be unable to use a cherry picker on extremely windy days due to the risk of it toppling over
Pros of scaffolding
Flexibility – Can be built to varying heights and also over extensions or other ground-level structures
Large work area – The stable platform allows multiple tradespeople to work at height at one time
No power needed – Doesn't require fuel or electricity (unlike cherry pickers), so is more reliable for remote building work
Cons of scaffolding
Longer set-up time – You'll need to factor in the build and dismantle time
Limited on some terrains – Scaffolding isn't suitable for all sloped terrains
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Cherry picker hire cost checklist
As a quick summary, here are the key points to bear in mind when looking at the cost of cherry picker hire:
Choose the right type of cherry picker for your project, that is, the type of job and the terrain
Confirm if an operator is needed
Check whether all costs are included, e.g., VAT and delivery charges
Use a checked cherry picker hire company covering your local area to reduce travel costs
Bundle tasks together to get the best value from your hire
Get a selection of quotes
Finally, it’s a good idea to request at least three quotes from cherry picker hire companies to ensure you receive a fair and competitive price. Use our request quote form to connect with reviewed hire companies covering your local area.
Find affordable cherry picker hire near you
As we now know, cherry picker hire can offer flexibility and affordability for various tasks in the home and garden.
Get your project underway. Search your postcode to find cherry picker hire companies with real reviews covering your local area.
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Cherry picker hire: Cost FAQs
What’s the average cost of hiring a cherry picker in the UK?
The average cost of hiring a cherry picker in the UK depends on how long you need it. For a standard cherry picker, you're looking at £300 per day or £30 per hour.
Can I operate a cherry picker without training?
If you’re hiring a cherry picker which weighs under 3.5 tonnes, you can legally operate it as long as you have a valid UK driving licence.
Is cherry picker hire cheaper than scaffolding?
Hiring a cherry picker could be cheaper if you only need height access for a short period of time, like an hour or a day. However, if you need it for a longer-term project that will take over a week, scaffolding will work out cheaper.
What surfaces are suitable for cherry pickers?
The beauty of cherry pickers is that they are suitable for operating on many different surfaces, including challenging terrains and slopes. The type of cherry picker you hire will depend on the particular surface you're working on.
How much does it cost to hire a cherry picker per hour?
That depends on whether you need a one or two-man crew. Here are the costs:
One-man crew – Between £27.50 and £32.50 per hour
Two-man crew – Between £52.50 and £67.50 per hour
What’s the daily rate for a cherry picker with an operator?
The cost can vary depending on whether you hire a scissor platform or a truck-mounted cherry picker:
Scissor platform – It typically costs between £280 and £320 per day
Truck-mounted – Prices are between £370 and £400 per day
Do I need a license to operate a cherry picker?
If you’re hiring a cherry picker that weighs under 3.5 tonnes, you can legally operate it as long as you have a valid UK driving licence.
You will need to hire a trained operator (or undergo training) to drive larger or more specialised cherry pickers. For safety purposes, it's a good idea to use a trained operator regardless.
Can I use a cherry picker on uneven terrain?
Yes, cherry pickers are suitable for uneven or sloped terrain. An experienced hire company can advise you on the best type of cherry picker for the job at hand.
However, they'll most likely recommend using a truck-mounted cherry picker if the terrain is particularly challenging.
What’s the difference between a scissor lift and a truck-mounted cherry picker?
A scissor lift moves straight up and down, using a crisscross (scissor-like) mechanism. As it's compact, it's easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.
Meanwhile, a truck-mounted cherry picker has a boom arm mounted on a vehicle. It can move vertically and horizontally, so it is better suited to jobs in multiple locations on a site or with challenging terrain.
Is it cheaper to hire a cherry picker or scaffolding?
That depends on the length of time you need it. For short, smaller jobs, cherry pickers work out cheaper. But if the job requires tradespeople to work at height for a week or more, you're better off hiring scaffolding.
Are cherry pickers safe for residential projects?
Absolutely. They work as well for domestic projects as they do on commercial builds.
However, it’s important to check in advance that your cherry picker will be able to handle the surface it will be driven on, as well as any slopes and inclines.
You should also check that the cherry picker can handle the weight of any equipment it will carry.
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