Before signing a plant hire agreement, confirm the rate basis and minimums, transport charges, fuel and cleaning, damage waiver and insurance responsibility, breakdown response, standby and wet-weather terms, how off-hire is notified, and what condition reports are required at delivery and return.
Rates and minimums
Confirm hourly, daily or weekly basis, minimum hours per day, travel time, overtime and public holiday rates.
Risk and insurance
Understand who is responsible for damage, theft and third-party liability. Check the damage waiver—what it covers, the excess, and exclusions such as tyres, glass and undercarriage.
Breakdowns and standby
Ask how quickly the supplier responds to breakdowns, whether hire stops while a machine is down, and what standby rate applies when weather or site delays stop work.
Off-hire and condition
Record condition, hours and fuel level with dated photographs at delivery and return. Get an off-hire number when you call the machine off.
Common questions
What is a damage waiver in plant hire?
A fee that reduces your liability for accidental damage to an excess amount. It rarely covers misuse, negligence, tyres or undercarriage wear.
When does hire stop?
Usually when the supplier acknowledges your off-hire call and issues an off-hire number, not when the machine is collected.