Free guide to starting a UK plant hire companyUpdated October 2026 · Browse all guides

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Startup checklist

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Templates and resources

Plant hire agreement checklist

Everything a plant hire agreement should cover, as a tick list. Use it to check your own hire agreement or terms.

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Checklist specTPL-94

Checks28

Stages7

SavesIn your browser

UpdatedOct 2026

PROGRESS0 / 28

STAGE 01Parties

Owner's full legal name, address and company number.Hirer's full legal name, address and account or company number.Contact names and phone numbers on both sides.

STAGE 02Plant

Machine make, model and serial number.Attachments and accessories listed.Hour meter reading and fuel level at delivery.Condition recorded with photos.

STAGE 03Hire period

Start date and time.Expected duration.Minimum hire period.How to off-hire and when charges stop.

STAGE 04Charges

Hire rate and unit.Delivery and collection charges.Fuel, cleaning and damage charges.Damage waiver terms, if offered.Deposit amount and refund conditions.Payment terms.

STAGE 05Responsibilities

Hirer responsible for the plant during hire.Competent operator and supervision.Site access, ground conditions and services.Security and immobilisation on site.No re-hire or use elsewhere without consent.

STAGE 06Problems

How to report breakdowns and accidents.What happens to charges during breakdowns.Insurance requirements or waiver.

STAGE 07Acceptance

Reference to full terms and conditions (e.g. based on CPA conditions).Signature or online acceptance by the hirer.Consumer information for homeowners, including cancellation rights.

FAQs

Common questions

What should a plant hire agreement include?+

Parties, plant details, hire period, charges, responsibilities, breakdown and accident procedures, insurance and acceptance of full terms.

Do I need a solicitor for hire terms?+

It's wise to have your terms reviewed; see hire terms.

Is this checklist legal advice?+

No, it's a practical checklist.

Keep going

Related guides

PHSUG-39

Plant hire terms and conditions

Hire terms, CPA conditions and the paperwork for every hire.

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PHSUG-40

CPA Model Conditions for plant hire explained

How the industry's standard hire terms work.

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PHSUG-89

Hiring plant to homeowners and DIY customers

Consumer law, ID, deposits and competence.

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PHSUG-33

Fuel, cleaning and damage-charge policies

A fair schedule of fuel, cleaning and damage charges.

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This guide is general information for people setting up a plant hire business in the UK. It is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Rules and thresholds change, so check current guidance on GOV.UK and take advice from an accountant, solicitor or broker before acting.

Practical, plain-English guides for people starting or growing a plant hire company in the UK: costs, fleet, finance, compliance, systems and customers.

Starting out

How to start
Costs
Checklist
Business plan
VAT, PAYE and CIS

Fleet & money

First fleet
Finance options
Pricing hire
Used plant checklist
Transporting plant
Utilisation
Cash flow
Delivery charges
Profit margins
Bad debt

Running the business

Insurance
Hire terms
Booking systems
Finding customers
Payment terms
Local SEO
PUWER and LOLER
Theft prevention
Health and safety
KPIs
Directories
CPA conditions
Google Business Profile

SISTER SITESPlant Hire Finance PlantClassifieds Rental Desk Pro

This guide is run by the same team as Plant Hire Finance, PlantClassifieds and Rental Desk Pro. Where a guide mentions one of those services we say so, and we list alternatives. Plant Hire Finance is a finance introducer, not a lender or broker. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, insurance or financial advice.