Plant hire equipment is a bit of a lifesaver for any construction company that simply doesn’t have the capital to buy all of the equipment that they will need to use during the course of their projects. Plant hire equipment is easily available and backed up by the support of the company offering the equipment and the great advice that they are able to give to construction companies.
After using the plant hire equipment to do your construction work, there will come a time when you need to start doing the necessary planning to return the equipment, and since you received it in a great condition, it should go without saying that you should be making a big effort to do the same when you return it.
A Return Checklist
Plant machine hire is nothing like hiring just any old thing. The process is a careful one because there is a lot to consider. There are checklists involved and all sorts of other things that you will have to do, if you want to make sure that you are able to avoid having to pay additional fees, due to damage or neglect of the equipment.
When you first hire the machinery you should make sure that you go through all of the paperwork that you get with the machine. This will help you to familiarize yourself with what you are hiring and it will also help you to gain a better understanding of the condition that it is in. If you have hired a machine with an operator, they should be able to help you get to grips with the machinery, but if not, you will have to commit yourself to doing this part on your own.
The reason why you will want to do this first is because when the time comes to return the machine, you will be able to see any new dings and dents. You will also be more informed about what and how much the additional fees might be if you return the machinery and an issue is spotted.
The Final Inspection
On the day, or the day before the machine is due to be returned, you will need to do a final inspection of the machinery to ensure that every still works as it should. Here’s what you should pay extra attention to:
- The nuts and tyres. Ensure that everything is still in place and tightly secured.
- The lights. Make sure the LEDs are all in working order.
- The engine. Everything should be in good shape and working just as it should, or at least just as it was given to you.
- The brakes. The machine’s brakes should be in the best condition, and if not, you should inform the plant hire company that the brakes don’t work properly.
- The fuel. If the agreement is to return the machine with a full tank, then be sure to fill up.
You should also look at the attachments, if the machine has any, to ensure that they are not broken or damaged.
It is always best to be upfront and honest, should there be something wrong with the machine. Don’t ever try to hide damage, because it will lead to a harsh penalty later on.
