Should I hire or buy bogmats?

To hire or to buy? That is the question. You can do both at Ryder Services. A go-to checklist is always handy to have, so here goes…

The UK construction industry experiences ups and downs all the time. In the quarter leading up to January 2024, construction output saw a decrease of 0.9%, chiefly driven by a 4.5% dip in new work, while repair and maintenance enjoyed a 4.0% lift.

Trends can and do influence decisions on whether to hire or purchase equipment like bog mats.

Then we have environmental considerations. Ground protection mats offer a more sustainable choice compared to traditional stone roads. They minimise dust, noise, and pollution, helping to lower the carbon footprint of any project and avoid costly clean ups.

This environmental benefit is a pull factor the investing long-term in bog mats for companies wishing to boost sustainability credentials.

What are bog mats?

Bog mats and ground protection mats provide stable platforms over unstable or sensitive terrains. They distribute the weight of heavy loads and maintain the integrity of the ground by allowing safe access for heavy machinery and personnel. This prevents damage to the ground and enhances operational efficiency.

The construction, pipeline, railway, events and film and TV industries use them, likewise mobile crane and geotechnical projects.

But should you hire or buy bog mats?

Hopefully this blog will help point you in the right direction.

Hire bog mats

Pluses

Good short-term fix

If your project is fleeting or you don't anticipate frequent use of bog mats, hiring can be the best option. No upfront costs. Likewise good for your business if work is patchy.

No storage or maintenance required

In the words of Phil Collins, no jacket required, and in the world of hired bog mats, no storage or maintenance required.

A good range of sizes to suit

Hiring or buying from Ryder Services means a good range of shapes and sizes of bog mats, and without the need to commit to a particular size or timber, recycled plastic mat etc. You can also spread the cost of course.

Minuses

Rising costs

If you’re a frequent or long-term projects requiring bog mats, hiring costs can multiply over time, potentially overtaking what would've been the initial outlay.

Availability

We always endeavour to meet your availability needs, but it might be that you need a bog mat at the drop of a mat! Or on a bank holiday!

Buy bog mats

Pluses:

Save money in the long run

If you’re a plant hire company, buying bog mats makes sense as it’s more cost effective. Or if you have multiple projects on the go at the one time.

You can access them as and when

Owning your own ground protection mats means you call the shots. You can start a new project in the moment, or generally just boast a more flexible operation.

Customisation

Customising the mats to suit your business as well as the team’s familiarity with them over time are two further benefits to buying bog mats over hiring them.

Minuses:

Initial outlay

Purchasing bog mats means a significant upfront expenditure, which your business’s budget might not be ready for. It might strain and stretch budgets, especially if you're a smaller companies with an infrequent need for such equipment.

Storage

Bog mats require proper safe, and dry storage so they don’t get damaged. You will also be responsible for their upkeep and any maintenance so that they last as long as possible and are always fit for purpose.

The passage of time

As with everything in this life, bog mats may wear out or become obsolete. Ground protection isn’t immune to technological advances.

In a nutshell

Questions around frequency of use and average duration of projects are key, as are budget and storage considerations too of course. Then there’s how varied your work is in terms of how many different types of mat you might need.

Call our expert team today on 01683 221082 if you’re still unsure.

We’re always happy to help.