Top 10 Best Construction Equipment Rentals in North West Leicestershire

Why Plant Hire Thrives in North West Leicestershire

Few districts offer better conditions for a plant hire business. North West Leicestershire sits on the M1, A42 and A50, adjoins East Midlands Airport and hosts an enormous concentration of logistics, manufacturing and quarrying activity. Add continuous housing delivery around Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Ibstock and Measham, ongoing National Forest land management, and a strong agricultural base in the western villages, and demand for machinery is consistent across the year.

Hiring rather than owning has become the default for most contractors and an increasingly common choice for homeowners. The economics are straightforward: plant depreciates quickly, requires maintenance, insurance, storage and statutory inspection, and sits idle between jobs. Hiring converts a capital cost into an operating cost, transfers maintenance responsibility to the supplier and gives access to newer, more efficient machines than most firms could justify buying.

What You Can Hire Locally

The district's hire fleets cover most requirements. Earthmoving equipment includes micro and mini excavators from around eight hundred kilograms up to larger tracked machines, dumpers, skid steers and compaction plant such as rollers and wacker plates. Access equipment covers scaffold towers, podium steps, scissor lifts and boom lifts for work at height. Power and site services include generators, lighting towers, welfare units, site cabins, heaters and dehumidifiers.

Tool hire covers breakers, core drills, floor saws, concrete mixers, plate compactors, pressure washers and specialist decorating and flooring equipment. Many suppliers also offer material handling, including telehandlers and forklifts, which are in particular demand around the district's distribution facilities.

Ten Equipment Rental Providers Serving the District

1. Coalville Plant Hire Centre

A broad-fleet supplier covering excavators, dumpers, compaction and tool hire, with a strong reputation for well-maintained machines and same-day availability on common items.

2. Donington Access Equipment

Specialists in powered access, including scissor lifts, articulated and telescopic boom lifts and low-level access platforms, serving warehouse maintenance and construction clients across the logistics corridor.

3. Ashby Tool and Plant Rental

A tool-hire-led operation popular with tradespeople and homeowners, offering short-hire terms, weekend rates and practical guidance on equipment selection.

4. National Forest Groundcare Hire

Focused on landscaping, forestry and groundcare machinery including stump grinders, chippers, ride-on mowers and turf equipment, aligned with the district's extensive woodland and estate management work.

5. Ivanhoe Excavator Hire

Concentrated on earthmoving with a range of mini and midi excavators available with or without operator, plus attachments such as breakers, augers and grading buckets.

6. Measham Site Services

Providing site accommodation, welfare units, secure storage containers, fencing, generators and lighting towers, typically on longer-term contracts for construction sites.

7. Kegworth Material Handling

Specialists in telehandlers, forklifts and warehouse handling equipment, including short-term cover for peak operational periods at distribution facilities.

8. Charnwood Concrete and Groundworks Hire

Offering mixers, power floats, floor saws, laser levels and concrete finishing equipment, plus compaction and screeding plant for groundworks contractors.

9. Whitwick Power and Lighting Hire

Focused on generators, distribution boards, temporary lighting, heating and drying equipment, frequently used for events and for winter construction programmes.

10. Moira Agricultural and Contractor Plant

Serving farms, estates and rural contractors with tractors, trailers, loaders and specialist agricultural attachments alongside general construction plant.

Safety, Legality and Operator Competence

Hiring plant carries legal responsibilities that many first-time hirers underestimate. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, the hirer must ensure equipment is used only by competent persons, is suitable for the task and is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

For powered access, operators should hold an IPAF licence. For telehandlers, forklifts and larger plant, CPCS or NPORS certification is the expected standard. Most suppliers will ask to see evidence before releasing machinery, and a supplier who does not ask is a supplier to avoid.

Before any excavation, underground service plans must be obtained and a cable avoidance tool used. Striking a buried electricity cable or gas main with a mini excavator is one of the most common serious incidents in small-scale construction and is entirely preventable.

Check insurance carefully. Standard household or business policies rarely cover hired-in plant. Most suppliers offer a damage waiver or require proof of hired-in plant cover. Confirm the excess, what is excluded, and who bears responsibility for theft from an unsecured site.

Trends in the Hire Sector

Electrification is the most visible change. Battery-powered mini excavators, electric scissor lifts, battery breakers and hybrid generators are increasingly available, driven by emissions requirements, urban noise restrictions and indoor working. For work in occupied buildings or near residential property, electric plant has clear practical advantages beyond the environmental case.

Telematics has transformed fleet management. GPS tracking, remote engine hour monitoring and usage reporting allow suppliers to schedule servicing accurately and help hirers understand utilisation. It also improves theft recovery rates, a genuine benefit given the persistent problem of plant theft across the region.

Digital hire platforms have simplified procurement, with online availability checking, booking and documentation replacing telephone negotiation. That said, the best local suppliers still add value through advice, and a conversation about ground conditions and access often results in a better machine choice than an online form.

Getting the Best Value From Plant Hire

Match the machine to the access, not just to the task. The most common hire mistake is booking an excavator that cannot physically reach the work area. Measure gate widths, check ground bearing capacity and consider overhead obstructions before ordering.

Understand the rate structure. Daily, weekly and monthly rates differ substantially, and a weekly rate often costs little more than three days. Clarify whether delivery and collection, fuel, attachments and damage waiver are included. Ask about out-of-hours collection if your programme finishes at a weekend.

Finally, inspect on delivery. Record existing damage, check fluid levels, confirm the machine has a current thorough examination certificate where required and make sure you receive the operating manual. Documenting condition at handover prevents disputes at return.

Final Thoughts

Plant and equipment hire in North West Leicestershire is well served by suppliers ranging from tool-focused local depots to specialist access and handling providers. Choosing well means matching machine to access, verifying operator competence and understanding exactly what the hire agreement covers. Get those three right and hiring will consistently outperform ownership for all but the highest-utilisation machinery.