Whether your latest construction job requires working at heights, on the ground, or a combination of both, there’s no denying that you’re going to need a range of different machinery. With this in mind, you may already have made up your mind to hire the majority of these. 

Many construction company owners and project managers are taking advantage of the scissor lift hire Melbourne rental agents offer. No matter how big or small the tool or machine is that you need to hire, the only real question you should be answering is, do you need a wet or dry hire? This post a closer look at the difference. 

Understanding Wet and Dry Hire

When you first hear the terms “we” and “dry” hire, you may think it doesn’t apply o he types of machinery you need to rent. However, understanding the difference may save you time and money in the long run. 

Typically, wet hire refers to renting the machine AND a licenced operator to drive and operate the machine or piece of equipment in question. This usually refers to cranes, mini excavators, scissor lifts and other machinery that isn’t simply plug and use.

In this instance, you pay extra for the operator, and they are wholly responsible for the machine. These hires work well if you’re only going to use a machine once and don’t need the added cost of hiring and training an additional staff member. 

Dry hire, on the other hand, refers to the process of simply hiring the machine and not the operator. A company will usually do this if they already have a qualified and licenced operator on staff. In this instance, the person signing the leasing documents becomes responsible for the welfare of the machine. 

Figuring Out Which Option Is Best

There are pros and cons to both processes and it’s essential to know what these are before deciding which one will work best for your needs and your budget. We’ve compiled the advantages of each to help you decide.  

Advantages of Wet Hire

There are several pros to wet hire, as listed below:

• Access to a skilled expert: More often than not, heavy machinery requires specialised operation. This means you’ll need someone who is not only qualified but also has experience using the machine. Wet hire ensures that you get both. If the operator has worked on similar projects before, you will benefit from the skill. 
• Compliance with local laws: The laws for operating certain types of machinery can vary in different states. This means that in some you may need a licence while in others not. A wet hire operator will be aware of this and will be certified and licensed to work in the area where the rental company is located. You won’t need to take out additional licenses. 
• Quality workmanship: You’re more likely to get superior workmanship from an operator who has done the job before as opposed to someone who you just trained. Quality workmanship is essential to maintain your reputation. 
• Less risk of additional costs: Knowing beforehand f you want a dry or wet hire can save you money in the long run. You won’t have to add costs for training or licensing if you’ve decided upfront to opt for wet hire. 

Advantages of Dry Hire

If you have a diverse team of employees who are trained in various aspects and hold operator licenses, you may be leaning toward dry hire. Here are the pros to consider:

• Saves money: If you already have trained operators on staff then dry hire will save money on the initial rental costs. If you don’t have to add an additional salary to your budget, this will be the better option. 
• More flexibility: Dry hire means you rent the machine on the days that you need it. You won’t be tied to a wet hire agreement where you’re paying for an operator to sit around while they wait for someone else to finish a certain task before they can do theirs. With dry hire you’re using your own staff, so you’ll be able to use them for other tasks when they don’t need to operate the machine. 
• Ease of management: It can be challenging to work with a wet-hire contractor who has no loyalty to your company. You also have no control over their work ethic, and they are less likely to go the extra mile to help you meet your deadline. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, choosing between wet and dry hire depends on what your project needs. If you’re going to have a use for a skilled operator in the future, it may be more cost-effective to train someone on your own team. 

Alternatively, if you’re doing a job outside of your usual work scope, it may be simpler to hire the operator with the machine. This will save you the cost of training or adding a new employee to your payroll. It’s important to choose the option that will enable the job to get finalised as quickly and safely as possible.