It is every constructor wish to have a flawless project. Be it paving, landscaping, or any other work that requires construction machinery, it is crucial to use efficient and effective construction equipment. Before purchasing construction machinery, there are countless factors to be considered. Some of these factors are obvious: cost, brand model, maintenance services are always on top of mind. However, other less obvious factors might cost you a considerable blow if not well considered.
The Top 5 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Your Construction Equipment.
- Safety
Your safety is paramount! Hence, before purchasing any construction machinery, it is essential to check on the equipment safety features. With the advanced technology, the industry has enhanced the safety standards, with many manufactures offering safety guidelines on maintenance and usage of construction equipment. Among the essential safety features to consider include; grip treading on platforms, handrails on huge machinery, visibility via cab windows, ground-level serviceability, among others.
Every worker is entitled to go back home in a safe condition as they reported to the workstation, so don’t ignore checking the safety of construction equipment you eye to purchase.
- Purchasing or Renting
When it comes to owning construction equipment, it is essential to consider some features such as the availability of resources, the flow of work, and prior experience in handling this equipment. These features will give you the green light on whether to hire or buy the required machinery.
When it comes to renting, some dealers are now offering (RPO) rental purchase option, a service that enables you to buy the machine, where part of your rental fee is used as a machine’s principal. Besides, rental fleets may provide services in either dry hire or wet hire style. If the project is long term and there are available funds, purchasing new equipment may be a better option.
- Fuel Usage
If you consult any constructor, they will freely tell you that construction machines are not cheap. Besides the high cost of purchase, maintaining this equipment will require you to dig deeper into your pockets.
However, one way of minimizing cost is by purchasing fuel-efficient equipment. Since fuel usage is a significant consideration in the construction sector, buying machines that are fuel efficiency will help you save a lot of money.
- Prior Skills of Machine Usage
Renting or purchasing efficient and reliable construction equipment will be of no good if you have no experience or knowledge of handling them. Operating heavy construction machinery requires loads of experience as these machinery have a high risk of causing safety hazards if failed to be handled with care.
In order to ensure you and your workers are safe, the machines should only be operated and handled only by specialized and skilled operators. If you don’t have prior skills in construction equipment management, it is vital if you consider dry hire vs wet hire.
Another crucial thing you should do is carrying out regular training for your staff before they operate these machines.
- Quality of the Equipment
When planning to buy construction equipment, you need to take into consideration the quality. For instance, there are times you will have construction projects in remote areas with unpredictable weather conditions. When construction equipment is exposed to these weather conditions for a while, they become susceptible to damages. The compromised machinery can pose safety hazards to employees as well as lower the integrity of the building being constructed.
Therefore, it is essential to invest in quality equipment that is resistant to harsh weather elements. Not only will you enhance the safety of your workers, but you will be in a position of saving maintenance and repair costs.
Final Verdict
Construction equipment is part of your long term asset, and therefore, ensure you invest wisely on the right equipment to secure your tomorrow. The above five tips will be of great benefit when planning to purchase any construction equipment.