In the commercial and industrial sectors, time really is money. A single delay on site can knock back your schedule, upset your client, and cost you thousands in lost productivity. Equipment hire delays are often preventable, but only if you’re working with the right partner. In this series of Blogs, we will explore the main pain points and explain how we can help.
At FESS Hire, we’ve listened to our customers, many of whom have had frustrating experiences with other suppliers. From machines arriving flat to long waits for breakdown support, here are the most common hire headaches and exactly how we help you avoid them.
1. Equipment Delivered Without Fuel or Charge
It sounds simple, but it’s a surprisingly common issue, especially with electric scissor lifts, booms, and telehandlers. You’ve scheduled an early start, the crew is ready, but the machine arrives dead. There is no fuel or battery charge, and now you’re stuck waiting for hours, if not the entire day, for support.
This isn’t just inconvenient; it’s expensive. Idle workers, missed deadlines, and sometimes, reputational damage when jobs have to be postponed. Find out more about the true cost of unfuelled equipment delays here.
At FESS Hire, we never send equipment out without thorough pre-delivery checks. Every machine is fuelled, charged, and tested before it leaves our depot, so you get equipment that’s ready to work the moment it lands on site.
2. Slow Breakdown Response
Breakdowns happen, particularly on heavy-use kit like boom lifts, forklifts, and material-handling equipment. But when they do, the clock starts ticking. Every minute the machine is down can cost you in both time and labour.
What really matters is how fast your hire company responds. Many providers have limited hours or slow communication, leaving you chasing updates instead of solving problems. Breakdown Response Times: Minimise delay in Plant Hire
With FESS Hire, you have 24/7 access to support and a direct line to your account manager. We’ve built a trusted network of nationwide engineers, so when something goes wrong, we act fast—getting you back up and running with minimal downtime.
3. Unfair Cancellation Charges
We understand that plans change. Jobs move, weather delays things, or access becomes an issue. But some hire companies will still charge you for a portion or the full cost of a hire, even if the machine hasn’t been delivered. Understanding the Plant Hire Cancellation Charges.
At FESS Hire, we believe in flexibility. That’s why we offer free cancellation on most equipment until 5 p.m. the day before delivery. There are no unexpected fees or awkward conversations. Just straightforward service that works around your needs.
4. Delayed Collections After Off-Hire
Another common frustration we hear about is equipment being left on site long after it’s off-hired. Whether skips, welfare units, or powered access, having unused kit sitting around can block space, create safety hazards, and increase the risk of theft or damage. The Hidden Cost of Delayed Off-Hires and Collections.
With FESS Hire, you won’t be left chasing collections. Our team works proactively to arrange prompt pickup, ensuring your site stays tidy, safe, and operational. We understand how quickly things move on a live site, and our service reflects that.
5. Poor Quality or Unreliable Equipment
Some providers send out old, worn-down machines just to get them out the door. But for most customers, machine reliability isn’t just a preference; it’s essential. If you’re using powered access to complete external cladding or storage installs, the last thing you need is a lift breaking down mid-task. The True Cost of Unreliable Plant Hire Equipment.
Case Study: Equipment Failures in UK Construction Projects
In the UK, delays in construction projects are increasingly common, with 91% of surveyed contractors reporting project delays. A significant contributing factor is using poor-quality or poorly maintained hired equipment. For instance:
- Breakdowns of hired tools and machinery can disrupt project schedules, leading to cascading delays. For example, a malfunctioning excavator or crane can halt critical operations, forcing contractors to pay workers overtime while waiting for repairs or replacements. This inflates costs significantly.
- Financial Impacts: Unexpected equipment failures often result in repair costs, penalties for missed deadlines, and additional rental fees for extended project timelines. In some cases, these breakdowns have added over 20% to project costs.
- Reputational Damage: Contractors may face reputational harm due to delays caused by unreliable equipment, which can affect future business opportunities.
At FESS Hire, our fleet is well-maintained, modern, and regularly serviced. When you order from us, you get equipment you can rely on and in the rare case something does go wrong, you know we’ll sort it fast.
Lack of a Single Point of Contact
When you’re juggling site logistics, the last thing you need is to explain your situation to a new person every time you call. Unfortunately, this is the norm with many national hire companies. You get passed from team to team, wasting time and risking miscommunication.
With FESS Hire, you get a dedicated account manager who understands your business, your sites, and your preferred way of working. They’re on hand to help with planning, delivery, support, and more, eliminating confusion and speeding things up.
As one of our clients, Barry Holt, put it:
“The communication is always brilliant, efficient, prompt, and clear. It ensures there aren’t discrepancies or any confusion in equipment requirements.”
How FESS Hire Helps You Avoid All This
We’ve built our business around one goal: to make equipment hire easy, reliable, and responsive. With 24/7 support, industry-experienced staff, and a quality-controlled fleet, we eliminate the common issues that slow down projects. Whether you’re hiring for a warehouse refit, a manufacturing line upgrade, or a fast-paced construction job, FESS Hire keeps your job moving—on time and on budget.
When things go wrong (as they sometimes do), we’re there to fix them quickly.
FAQs
Q: What types of equipment are most affected by fuel and battery issues?
A: Electric scissor lifts, booms, and hybrid access platforms are especially sensitive. If they arrive flat, you can lose an entire shift.
Q: How fast can FESS Hire respond to a breakdown?
A: We offer 24/7 support and rapid dispatch of engineers. In most cases, we can get someone to site the same day.
Q: Can I really cancel the day before without charges?
A: Yes. As part of our flexible approach, we offer free cancellation on most equipment until 5 p.m. the day before.
Q: What happens if equipment is damaged after off-hire?
A: That’s why we prioritise fast collections. Delays increase the risk of damage and theft, which is why we act quickly once you off-hire.
Q: How do I get in touch with my account manager?
A: Every FESS Hire customer has a dedicated contact available via phone or email; no call centres and no delays.