News
31 July 2024
Powered access machines are used across various industries for different reasons. They come in all manner of sizes and types, but businesses often need to know what the best route of obtaining one is – hiring or buying.
Whether you are in construction, maintenance or any industry requiring work at height, you face the decision of hiring or purchasing these machines. Each option has its benefits, but hiring stands out for various reasons. Read on to understand our top tips and advice.
The benefits of hiring a powered access platform
Hire a powered access platform for unmatched flexibility. Often, companies face fluctuating project demands and timescales, and the ability to hire equipment ensures they have the right machine for the job without the long-term commitment and capital expenditure that comes with repair and maintenance. That’s because, at GTAccess, we take care of all the maintenance and repairs when you hire a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) with us.
You can also choose exactly how long you want to hire your machines, with delivery and pickup done by the GTAccess team too. This means you’ll only have to store the platform for as long as you need it and won’t have to worry about transporting it back to us after the hiring term is finished thanks to our nationwide depots.
You should hire powered access machines if your need for the machine is a one-off or short-term job. It would be a huge mistake to buy a MEWP if you’re only going to use it one week out of the year.
Summing up the benefits of hiring an access platform
- Low initial payments and no need for expenditures on maintenance and repair
- Choose the exact length of time you require the platform
- Delivery and collection by GTAccess
- Hiring is ideal for short-term and one-off jobs working at height
The disadvantages of hiring a MEWP
The main disadvantage of hiring a MEWP is to do with the availability of machines, as sometimes businesses may have to wait for a machine to be available during peak times of demand, causing delays in your project. Fortunately, across our depots, including in London, the West Midlands and all other corners of the UK, our fleet of powered access platforms includes over 3000 machines of different types including:
All are available to hire.
One of the other negatives of hiring is if your project has any unexpected delays, this will mean you will have to continue paying the rent costs longer than you first intended. Significant delays, although often rare, could mean you could be paying more than if you purchase a MEWP. Fortunately, our competitive hiring prices on powered access platforms mean that this is rarely the case.
Summing up the disadvantages of hiring an access platform
- Project delays could mean you pay more than what you expected
- Availability of a desired machine can fluctuate based on demand
The benefits of purchasing a powered access platform
If your business performs regular jobs at height, buying a MEWP is going to more worthwhile and cost-effective. If you work in tree surgery, for example, then owning your own platform is ideal for when certain trees are unsafe for your workers to use rigging and climbing systems.
Another advantage of owning a MEWP is you can imprint your own branding, colours and imagery on the platform, helping your business reach more potential clients. Also, by having a platform at your convenience, you can train your employees to use the machine safely with ease.
Also, at GTAccess, we supply both new MEWPs and used mobile access platforms to purchase, meaning there is a cost-effective choice for all types of businesses, with each machine possessing a 6-month LOLER certificate.
Summing up the benefits of buying an access platform
- Ideal for businesses that frequently have jobs requiring working at height
- No waiting times on delivery
- Display your branding on your own machine
- Choose from new and used platforms to suit your budget
The disadvantages of buying an access platform
The big issue many find with purchasing a MEWP is they will have to usually pay extra for any maintenance and repairs that need to take place. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the machine is safe to use, with maintenance costs adding up over time. However, we help with this with contract hire options, with businesses paying fixed monthly rates rather than one big initial payment.
Of course, purchasing a MEWP isn’t cheap, and ensuring you have the right machine is crucial, otherwise, you will have just made an investment that will not be worthwhile. You’ve got to make sure you don’t make the same mistake as Donovan in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, choosing the wrong cup and facing the consequences while Henry Jones Jnr chooses wisely and saves the day! Unless you have the funds to purchase more than one type of powered access platform, consulting with experts is a must.
Summing up the disadvantages of buying an access platform
- Choose wisely – talk with the experts at GTAccess for us to recommend the ideal MEWP for your needs
- You will have to ensure your bought MEWP is regularly maintained and serviced, adding to costs
- You will likely pay a significant sum when buying which may impact your cashflow
- Buy and hire powered access platforms with GTAccess
Whatever your needs, GTAccess, one of the UK’s leading independent powered access companies, can help. Hiring and buying MEWPs will depend on your industry and business’s needs, but we offer unbiased advice and assistance on the perfect machines for you. We can also provide a FREE site survey to help you get the right machine.
Do you already know which machine you need? Head on over to our sales page for more information or get in touch with us via our contact form, and remember, no matter where you are in the UK we get your hired access platform delivered straight to your site, from our headquarters in Bromsgrove to Brentwood, Hereford, Hailsham, Gloucester, Shrewsbury and everywhere in between, including key areas of London.