Every construction project needs equipment that only earns its keep for a limited time. Dewatering pumps run during groundworks, ventilation fans run while a basement or tunnel is being fitted out and compressors, hoists and conveyors come and go as the programme moves on. Each of those motors needs a starter, soft starter or drive to run it safely.
So when a new project comes in, should you buy that motor control equipment or hire it? For short-term work the answer is usually hire, but not always. This guide looks at the real costs involved, includes a simple cost comparison and explains when buying can make sense.
The hidden costs of buying
The purchase price of a starter or drive is only the start. When you buy equipment for a construction project, you also take on:
- Enclosure and panel work. A bare starter or VSD isn’t site-ready. It needs a suitable weatherproof enclosure, glands, isolation and labelling before it can go outside on a building site.
- Inspection and testing. Electrical installations on construction sites fall under BS 7671 Section 704 and generally need inspecting far more often than permanent installations. If you own the kit, arranging and paying for that testing is your responsibility.
- Damage and wear. Construction sites are hard on equipment. Water, dust, vibration and accidental knocks shorten its life and repairs come out of your budget.
- Storage and transport. Between projects, owned equipment needs somewhere dry and secure to live, plus transport to and from each site.
- Idle time. The biggest hidden cost is equipment sitting unused. A starter bought for a 10-week dewatering job may not be needed again for months, tying up capital that could be working elsewhere.
- Obsolescence and mismatch. The next job may need a different motor rating, voltage or type of control. Equipment bought for one project doesn’t always suit the next.
The advantages of hiring
Hiring turns most of those costs into someone else’s problem. Hire equipment arrives in rugged site-ready enclosures, tested and maintained between hires. You pay only for the weeks you use it, and when the phase of work ends, it goes back.
Hire also gives you flexibility. If groundwater is worse than expected and you need a bigger pump, you can swap to a higher-rated starter rather than being stuck with what you bought. If a unit develops a fault, a replacement can be sent out, which is essential when a dewatering pump stopping could flood an excavation overnight.
Finally, hire keeps costs predictable. A weekly hire rate is easy to price into a tender and easy to allocate to a specific project, which makes job costing simpler and cleaner.
A simple cost comparison
To show how the numbers can stack up, here’s an illustrative example. A contractor needs two starters to run a pair of 15kW dewatering pumps during a 12-week groundworks phase. Figures below are examples for illustration only. Actual prices depend on equipment type, rating and hire terms.
| Cost item | Buy | Hire |
|---|---|---|
| Two starters in site-ready enclosures | £4,000 | – |
| Panel assembly and initial testing | £800 | Included |
| Periodic inspection during project | £300 | Included |
| Repairs and wear allowance | £300 | Included (fair wear) |
| Hire for 12 weeks (2 units at £60 per week each) | – | £1,440 |
| Delivery and collection | – | £200 |
| Less resale value after project | –£1,200 | – |
| Total cost to project | £4,200 | £1,640 |
In this example, hiring costs well under half as much as buying, even after allowing for resale. It also avoids tying up around £4,800 of cash at the start of the job, which matters when project cash flow is tight.
When buying can make sense
Buying isn’t always the wrong choice. It can be the better option when:
- Utilisation is high. If you have a steady pipeline of projects that need the same equipment, and it will rarely sit idle, the cost of ownership spreads across many jobs. Using the example figures above, buying would only start to pay off if the equipment were in use for well over half a year, with little downtime between projects.
- The requirement is highly specialised. Bespoke control panels built around a particular process may not be available to hire.
- You have in-house electrical support. Contractors with their own electrical team and workshop can absorb testing, repairs and storage more easily.
For most short-term projects, particularly those under six months or with uncertain requirements, those conditions don’t apply and hire comes out ahead.
Planning hire into your project
Getting the most from hire is about planning. Identify the motors that will run on site, such as pumps, fans, compressors, hoists and conveyors, and note their power ratings and supply voltage early. Consider whether a soft starter or VSD would help, for example to reduce starting current on a limited site supply or to control flow from a dewatering pump. Then book equipment in line with your programme, so it arrives when each phase starts and goes back as soon as it’s finished.
It’s also worth agreeing breakdown support up front. On many sites, an unexpected failure isn’t just an inconvenience: it can stop work, flood an excavation or leave a confined space without ventilation. Knowing a replacement can be sent quickly is part of the value of hire.
The verdict
For short-term construction projects, hiring motor starters, soft starters and drives is usually cheaper, simpler and less risky than buying. You avoid capital outlay, testing and storage costs and you keep the flexibility to change equipment as the job evolves. Buying only makes sense when utilisation is consistently high or requirements are too specialised to hire.
If you’re pricing up a project, talk to our team about the equipment you’ll need and we’ll help you put together a hire package that fits your programme and budget.
Written by Neil Parsons, Technical Director – With over 35 years in electrical engineering across various sectors, these articles are written by a specialist with hands-on experience in electrical design and commissioning, PLC and variable speed drive programming and installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to hire or buy equipment for a construction project?
For short-term projects, hire is usually cheaper once you include enclosures, testing, repairs, storage and idle time. Buying tends to make sense only when equipment will be used consistently across many projects.
How long does a project need to be before buying is worthwhile?
It depends on the equipment and your utilisation, but buying generally only pays off when kit is in near-constant use for many months. For projects of a few weeks or months, hire is typically the better option.
Is hired equipment suitable for construction site conditions?
Yes. Hire starters and drives are supplied in robust, weatherproof enclosures designed for temporary installation on site.
Who is responsible for inspection and testing of hired equipment?
Hire equipment is tested before it leaves us. Your electrician remains responsible for connecting it safely and for ongoing inspection of the site installation. We can advise on what’s needed.
Can I change the equipment if project requirements change?
Yes. One of the main benefits of hire is flexibility. If you need a larger rating or a different type of starter, the equipment can be swapped.
What happens if hired equipment breaks down on site?
Contact us straight away and we’ll arrange a replacement or support to get you running again as quickly as possible.
Can I include hire costs in my tender price?
Yes. Weekly hire rates are easy to price into tenders and allocate to specific projects, making job costing simpler than with owned equipment.
