3 Things to consider before purchasing Plant Machinery

3 Things to consider before purchasing Plant Machinery

Plant machinery is essential for almost every construction job, making laborious jobs done by hand seem efficient and less time-consuming. Giving you the extra firepower, you are able to complete your construction job far quicker than if you were to use outdated methods.

Of course, if you are in an industry that requires access to plant machinery on a regular basis, you wouldn’t be the first person to consider purchasing plant machinery. Having your own fleet of plant machinery ready for when your job requires it can be the most convenient way of operating but it doesn’t come without its drawbacks.

Throughout the course of this blog, we will identify the 3 key things to consider before purchasing plant machinery, as opposed to renting machinery.

The Cost of Buying Plant Machinery

The most obvious factor you have to take into consideration is the cost of purchasing machinery as opposed to renting plant machinery. It is no secret that buying your own machinery is going to be more expensive than renting it, which is why you have to think about how much your business needs it.

If you need the machinery for an indefinite period of time, renting machinery would prove to be a drain on finances with a one-off payment for the machine proving a better decision. But the costs of buying a machine don’t end there.

You have to take into account the running costs of owning such a large machine. Take a 9-tonne dumper for example, the larger the machine the more expensive repairs are likely to be. You will also have to factor in paying for things such as storing the machine as well as fuelling it regularly. When you rent a machine you only pay for the use of the machine as long as you need it.

Consider a fuel-efficient machine

As the world evolves and things such as fossil fuels become in shorter supply, now is a great time to consider moving over to a more efficient or sustainable machine. Forklift manufacturers have begun offering electric options which are better for the environment and likely to be cheaper to run than the traditional options. Electric options are a great investment as government funding becomes available for those who adopt them as it subsidises the overall cost of purchasing.

For more information on which would suit your needs better, discover our blog on the differences between Diesel and Electric machinery.

Renting Machinery could prove to be more reliable

There are a number of benefits that come with renting machinery as opposed to buying it. One of them is you can be sure that they will be in full working order when you take delivery of it on-site. While we cannot speak for other plant hire companies, we can assure you that any machine hired from the Tiger Plant fleet is maintained to the highest standard.


Having peace of mind that the machine you are operating is mechanically sound and maintained to a safe standard will allow you to complete your work with a clear conscience.

Do you buy new or used plant machinery?

The difference in price between buying new and used is evident, however, both types of machines come with pros and cons. A new machine is likely to be fitted with the latest technology meaning you may be able to complete your job with even greater efficiency.


Businesses that have the latest technology in their fleet are likely to attract business that is impressed by the capabilities of their new machinery. The prospect of cutting-edge technology leading to the work being done on their project is likely to sway customers looking for a construction company to complete their work.

Used machinery tends to be cheaper which obviously means it will be easier to justify the one-off payment. This isn’t the only benefit of a used machine, but they will likely have been on the market long enough for them to have built a reputation. Before you buy you will be able to ask around as well as research the machine in order to find out its quirks and also things such as reliability. Getting advice from someone who has first-hand experience using a machine you’re interested in will benefit you in the long run as you will have a reference point.

Choose a trusted brand for your machinery

A helpful tip is to buy a machine you are familiar with. If you’ve hired machines previously and have gotten on well with them, then we would advise you to seek one out to purchase one of your own, should that be your chosen route? Another thing to take into consideration when choosing a machine is to think about the brand you are buying from. Becoming a trusted brand takes years of hard work and consistency when it comes to manufacturing reliable machines.

Buying or renting Plant Machinery from Tiger Plant

Here at Tiger Plant, we have a wide range of machinery available for purchase as well as for hire. Whether you’re after Rollers, Dumpers or Excavators, we have the perfect machine ready for your next job.

If you require more information on which option suits your business the best, we would advise you to consult our hire vs purchase blog. Here you can find the pros and cons of both options in greater depth.

Get in touch for more information on buying machinery from Tiger Plant

If you have any questions about an aspect of the Tiger Plant service or a specific question about a machine, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our experienced team is more than happy to help you with your query. While you wait for our response, why not check our FAQ page, here you can find the answer to the most commonly asked questions.


Looking for some guidance on undertaking your own self-build project? The Tiger Plant Blog is a great place to find all the latest news and guidance with regard to plant machinery.

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