Why hire trench shields rather than buy?
When you’re working around trenches and excavations, having the right protection in place is essential. But while owning your own trench shields might seem like a good long-term solution, hiring is often the more practical and cost-effective option.
Here are seven key reasons to consider hiring rather than buying.
1. You’ll get the right shield for the job
Not every excavation is the same. Trench depth, width, ground conditions, access and the type of work being carried out can all influence what equipment is appropriate.
Hiring gives you the flexibility to select the trench shield that suits the job at hand, rather than trying to make do with equipment you already own. For contractors working across a range of projects, that flexibility can be a major advantage.
2. It avoids a large upfront investment
Trench shields are a significant piece of equipment, and buying them ties up capital that could potentially be better used elsewhere in your business.
With hiring, you pay for the equipment when you need it, without having to make a substantial upfront purchase. This can make project costs easier to manage, particularly when equipment is only required for a limited period.
3. No need to find storage space for them
Owning trench shields means having somewhere suitable to store them when they aren't being used – and they’re not small!
Hiring removes the hassle of needing to find yard space for equipment that may sit unused for months.
4. No maintenance burden
They may look hardy, but shields come with an ongoing maintenance burden. You need to inspect them after each use to ensure there hasn’t been any damage that will make them vulnerable to collapse with weak points – and then do something about addressing it if that’s the case.
We have a full workshop with engineers who take responsibility for their upkeep plus a regular pressure tester who comes around to check our gear will continue to perform under pressure to ensure every shield is fit for purpose.
5. On site, when you need it
Time spent sourcing parts, arranging repairs or dealing with equipment that isn't suitable for a particular excavation can quickly become expensive. Hiring provides a straightforward way to get the equipment you need for a specific project.
And if your requirements change, you have the option of discussing an alternative solution rather than being stuck with what you own. Plus, we deliver to site – saving you the hassle of transporting shields to a project down the line if you’ve got them stored at HQ elsewhere.
7. Expert advice when you need it
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of hiring is having access to people who understand the products and work with different sites and projects every day.
A good hire company (like Trenchmate) can help you identify the most appropriate trench shield for your requirements and answer questions about equipment, availability and logistics.
Hiring is the smarter option for many contractors, giving you greater flexibility without the long-term cost and responsibility of ownership.
Trenchmate can help you access the equipment you need, when you need it – while avoiding the capital outlay, storage, depreciation and ongoing maintenance that come with owning it. Talk to us about your next project – we’d love to help.