Plant hire companies near me

If you’ve never rented heavy diggers and dumpers before, how do you decide which professional plant hire company to go with? That’s where Checkatrade can help.

Use our free directory to find reputable plant hire companies near you – we've done the groundwork for you.

How to find plant hire companies near me

Perhaps you need a digger and dumper to clear a back garden for an upcoming landscaping project or to dig foundations for a house extension.

Whatever the reason, finding a plant hire company that is both safety-compliant and reputable is vital. You (or the tradesperson working on your home project) will be operating heavy machinery, so it’s important everyone is safe.

How much does plant hire cost?

Prices can differ hugely depending on what type and size of machinery you need.

For instance, do you need a three-tonne mini digger or dumper, or can a one-tonne mini excavator (a micro-digger) tackle the job?

The type of ground you're dealing with is also an important consideration. For instance, if you're working on boggy, muddy ground, you'll want to hire a tracked dumper, which costs slightly more than a standard dumper.

However, as a general guide, a mini digger hire costs around £160 per day. This doesn’t include VAT or drop-off and pick-up.

If you’re not planning to operate the machinery yourself, remember to factor in the cost of a driver as well. Expect to pay £270per day on average for a driver.

You’ll also need to factor in the cost of insurance. Our questions section below provides more information about that.

Take a look at our mini digger cost guide for more information.

Your machinery hire questions answered

1. What does a tool and plant hire company do?

Plant hire companies rent out all sorts of construction equipment, machinery, and tools to businesses or homeowners tackling building and landscaping jobs.

While each company differs, most offer short-term (daily and weekly) and long-term (monthly) rentals.

2. Why is it called plant hire?

Plant hire (not be confused with the garden variety!) once described any large, fixed equipment or machinery ‘planted’ or installed on a site.

Nowadays, we consider plant hire to be any heavy machinery used for building works.

3. What is classed as plant hire?

Plant hire companies offer a range of machinery and tools for hire, including:

• Diggers (also known as excavators)

• Dumpers (tracked or wheeled)

• Small cranes

• Loaders

• Forklifts

• Concrete mixers

• Compactors

• Access equipment like cherry pickers and scissor lifts

• Small tools like drills, saws, and cement mixers

With so much to choose from, it's easy to get carried away with hiring more than you need. Make sure you hire the right-sized equipment for your requirements to avoid overpaying for larger equipment you don't need.

4. Do I need a licence to operate plant hire equipment?

You might be surprised to hear you don’t need a licence to operate a mini digger, dumper, or other small plant hire on private property.

However, you will need a licence if you drive the machinery on a public road. This might be a necessity due to restricted access.

5. Do I need insurance to operate a mini digger or dumper?

Yes. If you plan to operate the machinery yourself, you must factor in the insurance cost. This should include cover for any damages or injuries to third parties.

Some hire costs will include insurance, but always read the policy before agreeing to its terms.

While mini-diggers have simple controls and are relatively easy to manoeuvre, they can still cause serious damage if not carefully handled.

If you’re unsure, hiring a driver to operate the machinery might be a better option. A driver should be covered by public liability insurance and will get the job done quickly and professionally.

How do I find plant hire companies near me?

Follow these three simple steps to choose the right company for you:

1. Use a professional directory

You can easily find plant hire companies near you just by searching your postcode.

Plus, Checkatrade trusted members have passed up to 12 checks to become a member, so you can confident in your hire.

2. Read online reviews

There’s no better way to check the quality and professionalism of a plant hire company than with a previous customer review.

At Checkatrade, we check that reviews are from real people and that members meet our high standards.

3. Compare quotes

Getting at least three quotes from plant hire companies is always smart. That way, you get the best equipment and price for the job.

Ready to find highly-rated plant hire companies near you? Search your postcode in the box below.