Even small construction companies can get in on bidding for jobs and competing with other companies hungry for work. You sometimes have to be clever about the way that you compete for tenders and you have to make sure we have the right equipment and materials to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible; we can to keep clients coming back. This can mean using a construction broker to make sure you get the right combo of new equipment and secondhand equipment to help the business succeed. This blog is about finding and choosing heavy construction equipment for your small scale construction company.
Commonly found in warehouses throughout Australia, forklift trucks take much of the work out of shifting heavy boxes around the site. They reduce the need to conveyor belts and similar permanent logistics equipment, meaning you and your employees can move good around in the most efficient way possible. However, getting a forklift truck onto your site is not as easy as it may seem. Initially, many people consider buying a permanent truck for their team, but this often incurs a large initial investment, not to mention it requires costs for long term repair and maintenance. That is why many site managers or owners will look to forklift truck hire companies to get around the cost barrier.
However, while renting is a great option for most projects, there are a few key things to think about to make sure you get the most suitable truck for you.
Different trucks for different purposes
Many people are surprised by the huge range of forklift trucks available. Before you hire, you need to understand the types of job you need the truck for. Speak to your team and find out where a truck will be most useful on your site. Reach forklift trucks, as the name suggests, are generally suited to work which involves getting objects down from high storage areas, so are typically found in warehouses. Terrain-proof trucks are suited for outdoors environments, such as construction sites and often resemble more of a tractor than a truck. The most common types of trucks are stand up trucks, which have horizontal forks to lift goods from below.
While stand up trucks will be suited to most applications, you should always double check whether there are any special requirements your team have before you start the hiring process.
Do you have a qualified driver?
Unfortunately, not just anyone can hire and drive a forklift truck. Before you hire, make sure that someone on your team holds the proper qualifications and certificates to enable them to drive the truck. You many have to invest in a training course for some of your team if no one currently has the correct licence. If you really are stuck for a driver, you might want to ask the rental company if they know any freelance drivers you could hire. Alternatively, you mat want to look into manual pallet trucks, which do not require a licence but are severely restricted in use compared to a proper forklift.
Long-term or short-term hire?
Hire companies will often rent equipment for up to five years, and sometimes even longer. Of course, the longer you hire for, you will be able to access better prices and terms. However, what you lose is flexibility. if you think the type of lift you need will change, you may want to consider leasing for shorter periods of time to allow you to bring in different trucks at different times.
Share22 January 2018
