Plant Hire in Durham
Compare plant hire companies in Durham. View ratings, reviews and contact details. Get free quotes from local providers.
Plant Hire in Durham: What You Need to Know
The plant hire market in Durham serves construction firms, groundwork contractors, landscapers, utility companies and homeowners undertaking significant projects. The most commonly hired machines include mini diggers for garden and driveway work, excavators for foundations and earthmoving, dumpers for site logistics, and cherry pickers for working at height. Both short-term daily hires and longer-term contracts are widely available. The market includes large national hire companies with extensive fleets and local independent operators who often provide more competitive rates and a more personal service for smaller projects.
When hiring plant equipment in Durham, the key decision is whether you need wet hire (with a qualified operator) or dry hire (self-drive). For dry hire on any construction site regulated under CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations, the operator must hold a CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) or NPORS card for the specific machine category. Homeowners using a mini digger on their own land for private domestic work are not legally required to hold a card, though training is strongly recommended for safety reasons. Wet hire includes a fully qualified operator and is the safer option if you lack experience — the hire company handles all competency and insurance requirements.
Typical daily plant hire rates in Durham range from £80 to £150 for a micro or mini digger under 3 tonnes, £150 to £250 for a larger excavator, £100 to £180 for a site dumper, and £120 to £250 for a cherry picker or access platform. Weekly rates typically work out at three to four times the daily rate, offering significant savings on longer projects. Delivery and collection charges range from £50 to £150 each way depending on the machine size and distance. Fuel is usually your responsibility on dry hire. Ask whether the quoted price includes VAT and any damage waiver, as these can add 20 to 30 percent to the headline figure.
Several practical considerations apply when hiring plant in Durham. Delivery access is critical — confirm that the site entrance, road widths and ground conditions can handle a low-loader delivering the machine. For work near highways or public footpaths, you may need traffic management plans and council permits. Noise restrictions in residential areas can limit operating hours, typically to 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Check the hire company's breakdown response policy: a reliable operator will have engineers available to attend site within hours if a machine develops a fault, minimising costly downtime on your project.
Williamson Agricultural & Plant
OpenHigh Stonechester Farm, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3NG, GB
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J R Tool Hire & Aggregates
OpenHouse Farm, Bowbank, Spennymoor, DL16 7HY, GB
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Reuben Smith Plant Hire Ltd
OpenLittleburn Industrial Estate, Littleburn Rd, Langley Moor, Durham, DH7 8JF, GB
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H. E. Services (Plant Hire) Ltd - Durham Depot
OpenRiverside Industrial Estate, Langley Park, Durham, DH7 9TT, GB
The largest specialist UK Plant Hire Company, providing all types of plant with 11 strategically located depots nationwide. Call 0208 804 2000
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J&E Plant & Machinery Ltd
OpenKimblesworth Industrial Estate, Kimblesworth, Chester-le-Street, DH2 3QJ, GB
For all your plant machinery hire, repairs, maintenance, servicing and sales requirements
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Mabey Hire - Durham
OpenHetton Lyons Industrial Estate, Parkgate, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton le Spring, DH5 0RH, GB
Our dedicated team at Nottingham are on hand to provide you with the best solution to your temporary works requirements.
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NGJ plant & tool hire
OpenFront St, Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor, DL16 7HZ, GB
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Platform Rentals Ltd
OpenLeadgate Industrial Estate, Lope Hill Road, Consett, DH8 7RN, GB
Established in 2011, Platform Rentals is headed up by Ross Thompson (Managing Director). Having served a recognised industry apprenticeship, Ross has over 22 years of experience as an engineer. Ross is also Managing Director of a sister company RMT Access Ltd which he established in 2005. We...
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Digger and Driver Hire/ Groundwork’s/ Landscaping / Utilities
Open32 Hallgarth, Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor, DL16 7HR, GB
Hire a local driver with either a 2.6 or 14 tonne digger and dumper. All small domestic or light industrial jobs undertaken. Footings, groundworks and paths/drives all undertaken. Fully insured.
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MEP Hire Durham
OpenUnit 36, Greta House, Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham, DH1 1TT, GB
MEP Hire: Mechanical, Electrical and Low Level Access Specialists providing rental products nationally to the UK’s building services trades.
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Tool Time Ltd
Open2A Hatfield Way, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6XF, GB
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AK Micro Plant Hire
Open3 W Close Cottages, Chilton, Ferryhill, DL17 0PQ, GB
Micro Plant Hire Durham, Mini Digger Durham, Groundworks and Excavation Durham, Operator Hire Durham
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MGF
OpenLittleburn Industrial Estate, Thistle Rd, Langley Moor, Durham, DH7 8HJ, GB
MGF have a rich history in providing excavation support, lifting and safety and structural support solutions. We're industry innovators.
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KD Plant Services
OpenUnit 2, Colliery Workshops, Acorn Cl, Lane, Sacriston, Durham, DH7 6AN, GB
Nationwide short & long term hire of heavy plant Excavators, Dozers and Dumpers to the construction industry
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Nationwide Platforms
OpenDragonville Industrial Estate, Damson Way, Durham, DH1 2YN, GB
Powered Access Hire from the UK's market leading provider. Our huge range of access platforms includes cherry pickers, scissor lifts and tracked booms.
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Groundwork Services (Durham) Ltd
OpenLittleburn Ind Est, Langley Moor, Durham, DH7 8HJ, GB
We are a leading civil engineering company based in County Durham, which operates across a number of sectors and locations throughout the UK
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Boels Rental Ltd. Durham
OpenUnit 15, Cathedral Park, Durham, DH1 1TF, GB
Boels Rental is one of the largest hire providers of equipment & tools in Europe. With over 2,500 products, we provide the right tools for every need.
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B&A mini digger hire ltd
Open1 W Chilton Terrace, Chilton, Ferryhill, DL17 0GZ, GB
Explore our plant hire services across County Durham & the North East. Digger, dumper & roller hire for builders, landscapers & DIY projects. Flexible terms & fast delivery.
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KC's HGV & PLANT DRIVER HIRE
Open6 Wharrier Sq, Wheatley Hill, Durham, DH6 3LT, GB
We are a family owned company, committed to becoming the contractor of choice, pursuing excellence through dedication, experience and disciplined employees with an ongoing passion to deliver quality, timely and profitable projects.
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