Hiring is always a solution.
Whether you’re hiring a car, hiring a boat or hiring a person, it’s always as an answer to a problem. Need to get from A to B? Hire a car. Need someone to design a house? Hire an architect. Want to move pallets of goods? Hire a forklift.
Whilst for some purchasing solves more problems than hiring, there are many benefits of short-term hire (STH). Not only can you simply have the equipment you need, when you need it, you don’t have to worry about storing or financing them long term.
One day, One week, One Month, One Year…
‘Short-term’ is a broad spectrum; whether you need equipment for just twenty-four hours or up to two years, it can fall under short-term hire.
The fluidity of hire is one of its appeals. If you start out only needing your equipment (for example a scissor lift) for two weeks but end up requiring it for six months, you can often simply extend your contract. These ‘rolling contracts’ are a fantastic way of ensuring that you have your equipment for as long as you need.
When it comes to the cost aspect of rolling over a contract, there’s many options. Sometimes costs can be fixed, so a set payment is made every month without increase or decrease. This is often better for businesses who are unsure of how long they’ll need equipment.
However, for those who know the period they’ll need to hire, there’s another option. The longer the hire period (up to two years for short-term), the lower the cost. Talk to your local hire centre to find out what would work best for your business.
A Boost in Productivity
For many businesses there are quiet seasons. January, for example, is traditionally a retail lull – customers have less money due to Christmas. Times like these see temporary staff let go and material handling equipment not needed as much.
If you know what your busiest periods are, STH can allow you to bring in the equipment you need, as and when you need it. This enables you to have complete control over your productivity and to really make the most out your peak period. Then, when the lull occurs, you don’t have to worry about storing, servicing and paying for equipment that you’re not using.
Will the Latest Technologies Make a Difference?
For many small to medium sized businesses, bringing in the latest technological wizardry just isn’t an affordable option. This is especially the case if they’re looking to make an investment and don’t want to make the wrong choice.
By short-term hiring in up to date equipment, you can try out the newest advancements in material handling, access, warehouse and cleaning technology. By actually using the equipment in your working environment, you can judge whether the long-term costs and initial investment will be worth the operating experience. Then, if you decide it’s not for you, you can simply, when your hire period is over, return the equipment without having to worry.
If you do decide you like what you’ve experienced, then you can simply roll on your hire, consider long-term hire or look to purchase (or lease purchase).
Increase Your Business’ Scope
Worried that your business is unable to meet its full potential because you just don’t have the equipment on hand to take on different projects?
No problem – one of the benefits of short-term hire is that it allows you the freedom to take on whatever jobs you want. You can bring in the equipment you need for the duration of the build/project and when it’s over, you don’t have to worry about having the storage space available to house all your different machines.
Because many STH contracts can be arranged with fixed prices, it also makes it easier for you to figure out what costs are associated with bringing in the equipment – allowing you to easily add it to your customers invoice or quote.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of short-term hire.
If you want to hire access, cleaning equipment, material handling or warehouse equipment for the short-term? Why not give us a call today and we’ll be able to help you get started. Contact our hire team on 01933 243068 or get in touch through our contact us page.
