Hire FAQs

To hire equipment, simply complete our online enquiry form, contact us by email, or call our team directly. You’ll need to select the machine using the stock number. If you're unsure which machine is right for your needs, our adviser is available to help — call us on 01727 743118 (Monday to Friday, 7:30am–5:00pm or Saturday, 8:00am–12:00pm). To create an account, please upload two forms of ID along with two utility bills dated within the last three months.

Yes, we provide delivery and collection services for all our plant hire equipment, using a fleet of vans and lorries ranging from 3.5 to 26 tonnes. Simply let us know the delivery location and the date you require the equipment, and we’ll ensure it arrives on time and is collected once your hire is complete. Please note that delivery charges vary depending on the machine’s weight, size, and the delivery address. Prices start from as little as £15 + VAT each way. When you finish using the equipment, you must notify us by submitting an off-hire notice — this is the point when we stop charging for the hire. In most cases, collection is arranged for the next working day following the off-hire notification.

We offer flexible hire periods to suit your project requirements. The minimum hire period is 1 day, and there is no fixed maximum — you can rent equipment for as long as needed. Please note that certain categories, such as crushers, access equipment, or forklifts, may not qualify for reduced daily rates (65% weekly rental value for 1 day hire). We recommend discussing your project timeline with us so we can tailor the hire terms to your needs.

RS Hire Machinery proudly serves customers across London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Kent. If you're based in any of these areas, we can provide reliable plant hire services tailored to your needs.

We offer a comprehensive range of plant hire equipment to suit a wide variety of construction and groundwork needs. Our fleet includes diggers, excavators, dumpers, breakers, access platforms, backhoe loaders, forklifts, generators, telehandlers, and a selection of smaller plant and tools. For a full list of available equipment, please get in touch with our team.

We accept multiple payment methods, including bank transfer, credit/debit cards, and — in certain cases — cash. When you open an account via the Create Account link, we’ll email you a hire contract containing all prices, terms, and conditions. Once you sign the contract, you’ll receive a secure payment link to complete the booking. Full payment details and terms will be provided as part of your hire agreement setup.

In the unlikely event of a breakdown due to normal use, please contact us immediately. Our team will work quickly to resolve the issue — in most cases, we’re able to fix around 95% of problems over the phone. For more serious issues such as hydraulic leaks, we typically dispatch assistance within 2 hours to minimise downtime and keep your project on track. Your satisfaction and safety are our top priorities.

Yes, same-day delivery is possible. To increase the chances of arranging it, we recommend calling us as early as possible. By contacting us directly, we can check current availability, discuss any specific requirements, and do our best to accommodate your request. Our team is committed to providing fast and reliable service — feel free to call us to discuss your needs in more detail.

At RS Hire Machinery Ltd, a weekly hire covers the full working week — from Monday to Friday. We do not charge extra for Saturday or Sunday if the equipment is not in use. However, if you require the machine specifically for weekend use, we apply a weekend rate of 75% of the standard weekly hire price. This flexible approach ensures you have the equipment when you need it, without unnecessary restrictions or hidden charges.

Yes, we offer Trade Accounts for regular and business customers. Please contact us to find out more about setting one up. We’re also happy to consider price matching — if you have a formal quote from another plant hire company, send it over and we’ll do our best to beat it.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact our team — we’re here to help. You can find all contact details on our Contact Us page or simply fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of this page. If you need to add an attachment such as a breaker or auger to your digger, or require a dumper alongside your hire, please let us know when booking — we’ll be happy to assist.

We do not require a deposit. However, a minimum payment covering a 1-week hire must be made in advance via the secure payment link provided once your booking is confirmed.

Most smaller tools and equipment do not require separate insurance. However, larger machines — such as diggers, scissor lifts, and telehandlers — will require Hired-In Plant Insurance. Many businesses already hold this type of cover. If your business does not, we can assist you in arranging suitable insurance through our trusted partner: JCB Insurance. If you’re hiring as a private individual rather than a business, we can also help you obtain short-term Hired-In Plant Insurance, allowing you to access equipment typically reserved for commercial use.

Yes, we kindly ask that all equipment is returned in the same clean condition as when it was hired. If cleaning is required upon return, a cleaning fee may apply. We operate a fair and reasonable cleaning policy — for example, we expect paint to be removed from scaffold towers and cement to be cleared from mixers before return.

Yes, you can change the hire dates free of charge as long as you notify our hire team at least one working day before the scheduled delivery date. If the hire is cancelled on the same day as the planned delivery, a delivery fee will still apply to cover transport costs. To make any changes, please contact us by phone as early as possible.

Yes, all hired equipment is delivered with a full tank of diesel or petrol, and we ask that it is returned refuelled to the same level. However, if you're unable to refuel before off-hire, that's not a problem — we’ll top it up during the off-hire inspection and simply add the fuel charge to your contract based on the number of litres required. Please note: as of 1st April 2022, red diesel is no longer permitted for use in most industries. Customers must not refuel hired equipment with red diesel, even if they believe their industry is exempt. Misfuelling will result in a tank drainage and disposal fee.

Legally, you do not need a licence to operate plant machinery on private land. However, when hiring from RS Hire Machinery Ltd, we expect all operators to be competent and appropriately insured. If you’re unsure whether you meet the requirements, please contact our team — we’re happy to advise.

Our team is available to respond to phone calls, emails, and online chat Monday to Friday, from 06:30am to 16:30 (excluding Bank Holidays). We are also open on Saturdays from 08:00 to 12:00. The RS Hire Machinery online portal is available 24/7, 365 days a year, so you can browse and submit enquiries at any time.

All prices displayed on our website are net prices and exclude VAT. A 20% VAT charge will be added to the final invoice total. If you need a full breakdown of costs including VAT, please contact our team — we’re happy to help.

Not automatically. We will arrange collection once you inform us that the hire is finished by submitting an off-hire notice — this can be done by email, text message, or phone call. Please note that even if you booked the machine for just one day, the hire period will automatically continue (and be charged) until we receive your off-hire confirmation.

Yes — any damaged or missing equipment will be charged in line with the CPA Terms and Conditions. We strongly advise all customers to ensure that equipment is secured when not in use and protected from theft, vandalism, or misuse. Please follow these safety tips: Keep the key with you at all times — do not leave it on-site or share it. Never write or display the immobiliser code on the machine. When hiring a standard digger and dumper set, we recommend placing the digger arm inside the dumper skip overnight for added security. All machines are equipped with immobiliser keys. We highly recommend purchasing Hired-In Plant Insurance to protect yourself from unexpected costs. If you’re unsure, our team will be happy to assist you.

If you have an approved Credit Account with us, we will automatically generate invoices for ongoing hires and send your weekly account invoices on the first working day of each week (typically Monday, unless it's a Bank Holiday). For non-account customers or hires that finish before the weekly invoicing period, invoices are issued after the off-hire inspection, where we check the fuel level and condition of the machine. All invoices and statements are sent electronically via email. Invoices are provided as a PDF attachment. Your statement is sent in a separate email with a PDF attachment. If you have any questions or would like to update your preferences, please contact our accounts team at accounts@rsmachinery.eu.

Yes — our team can provide basic training and guidance on the safe and proper use of the hired equipment during delivery or handover. However, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the operator is competent and capable of using the equipment safely and in accordance with regulations.

In case of an emergency only, we offer an out-of-hours support line for our customers. Please call us on 07852 354011 — one of our team members will do their best to assist you as quickly as possible. Please note: this number is strictly for emergency situations outside of normal business hours.

Yes, we offer discounted rates for short-term hires: 1-day hire is charged at 65% of the weekly rate 2-day hire is charged at 75% of the weekly rate 3 days or more are charged at the full weekly rate Please note that some categories are excluded from the one-day hire rate — for example, access equipment and crushers are only available at standard weekly rates. If you're unsure whether your chosen machine qualifies, please contact our team for clarification.

Using a cement mixer correctly ensures a safe operation and consistent mix quality. Here's a step-by-step guide: Types of Cement Mixers Cement mixers are usually defined by their capacity. For example: 4/3 mixer: Holds 4 cubic feet of dry material and yields 3 cubic feet of mixed concrete. The 4/3 mini mix is the most common for small jobs — compact enough to fit through a standard doorway and comes with a stand for tipping into a wheelbarrow. Setting Up the Mixer Place the mixer on level ground, near your sand, cement, and water supply. Ensure it’s away from pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Protect surrounding surfaces, as splashes are common. Measure your ingredients consistently (a dry bucket is more accurate than a shovel). Suggested Mixing Ratios Application Cement Sand Aggregate Foundations 1 2.5 3 Garage Floor / Driveway 1 2 4 Garden Path 1 3 6 Fence Posts 1 2.5 3.5 Window Sills 1 3 – Garden Walls 1 4 – Aggregate = crushed stone or gravel. Ratios may vary depending on the specific job. Mixing Process Start the mixer while empty — never load it first. While the drum is turning, add sand, cement, and aggregate. Mix dry materials until the colour is uniform. Slowly add water until the desired consistency is reached. Note the amount of water used for future mixes. Let the mixer run until fully blended. Emptying the Mixer With the drum still rotating, tilt the mixer using the handles to pour the mix into a wheelbarrow or on the ground. Cleaning the Mixer Rinse off splashes regularly throughout the day with water and a brush. After use, clean the drum immediately — dried concrete is very difficult to remove later. Turn off the machine and rinse both inside and outside thoroughly. Need more advice on mix ratios or safe operation? Feel free to contact our team for support.