Plant Hire in Edinburgh

Compare plant hire companies in Edinburgh. View ratings, reviews and contact details. Get free quotes from local providers.

20 companies

Plant Hire in Edinburgh: What You Need to Know

The plant hire market in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh, 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. 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.

Lothian Hire Centre

Open
5(22 reviews)

Unit 1, Block 2, Inveresk Industrial Estate, Musselburgh, EH21 7UL, GB

For tool and small plant hire with the widest range of tools and small plant in Lothian and Borders call us on 0131 665 6674 today!

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Concrete MixerDumperExcavator
EdinburghView details →

Hireline Plant and Tool Hire Galashiels & Scottish Borders

Open
5(7 reviews)

Unit D, Whinstone Mill, Galashiels, TD1 3EY, GB

T: 0131 669 7660 for Plant Hire & Tool Hire in Edinburgh, Lothians, Scottish Borders, Fife, Berwick & Central Scotland or visit the Hireline website for info.

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CompactorConcrete MixerDumper+7 more
EdinburghView details →

101 Height For Hire

Open
5(6 reviews)

40c Coltbridge Ave, Edinburgh, EH12 6AH, GB

Cherry Picker Hire Edinburgh, we provide safe and reliable operated access solutions for working at height across Edinburgh and the Central Belt of Scotland.

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Cherry Picker
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C Roy Plant Hire LTD

Open
5(4 reviews)

Gifford Road, East Saltoun, Tranent, EH34 5EQ, GB

Our website is coming soon. In the meantime, contact us via the methods below:

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EdinburghView details →

Tweed Digger Hire

Open
5(1 review)

Farm Cottages, 1, Ladykirkshiels, TD12 4HF, GB

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EdinburghView details →

Highland Plant Hire Ltd

Open
4.8(30 reviews)

Unit 4, Garage, Seton Mains, Longniddry, EH32 0PG, GB

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EdinburghView details →

Basically Tool Hire

Open
4.7(110 reviews)

Old Newbattle Bridge House I, Newbattle Rd, Newbattle, Dalkeith, EH22 3LJ, GB

Tool & Plant Machinery Hire in Edinburgh, the Lothians & Borders

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CompactorMini Digger
EdinburghView details →

Haddington Hire Centre Ltd

Open
4.7(29 reviews)

Hospital Rd, Haddington, EH41 3BH, GB

Established in 2001, Haddington Hire Centre Ltd, is a family run business with an emphasis on quality hire products with competitive rates and excellent service. We are constantly updating our hire products, expanding the range and improving customer service.

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Tool & Plant Services

Open
4.6(89 reviews)

Units 13 & 14, Sauchiebank, Edinburgh, EH11 2NN, GB

The Edinburgh Stihl Centre Save up to £600 when you buy an iMOW for 2026 Offer valid on selected models for a limited time. Contact us now for more details. We pride ourselves on great customer service. All products purchased in store are built up, tested, fueled and ready to use - and we dispose

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Brandon Hire Station Edinburgh

Open
4.6(35 reviews)

Sighthill Industrial Estate, 21 Bankhead Dr, Edinburgh, EH11 4DW, GB

Brandon Hire Station: Tool & Equipment Hire.

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Jarvie Plant Group - Edinburgh

Open
4.5(12 reviews)

11a Bankhead Crossway N, Edinburgh, EH11 4DT, GB

Jarvie Plant is a family-run business and market leader in the provision of high-quality plant, accommodation and vehicle hire in the UK. Find out more.

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DumperExcavatorTelehandler
EdinburghView details →

GAP Hire Solutions - Sighthill (Edinburgh)

Open
4.2(22 reviews)

Sighthill Industrial Estate, 11 Bankhead Dr, Edinburgh, EH11 4EJ, GB

Discover GAP Group, the UK's leading hire company. Find a depot, explore our products, or view job vacancies. Join us in eco-friendly construction.

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Dumper
EdinburghView details →

Hireline Plant & Tool Hire Edinburgh Scotland

Open
4.2(22 reviews)

Unit 15, Merryfield Business Centre, Macmerry Industrial Estate, Tranent, EH33 1ET, GB

T: 0131 669 7660 for Plant Hire & Tool Hire in Edinburgh, Lothians, Scottish Borders, Fife, Berwick & Central Scotland or visit the Hireline website for info.

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CompactorConcrete MixerDumper+7 more
EdinburghView details →

Ron Boyd Group

Open
4(9 reviews)

66 Mayfield Industrial Estate, Dalkeith, EH22 4AD, GB

Need a mobile crane hire and haulage company based in Midlothian? Our Dalkeith-based team at Ron Boyd Group cater to all lifting and machinery moving needs.

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Telehandler
EdinburghView details →

Sinclair Plant Hire

Open
4(4 reviews)

1 Wallace Ave, Wallyford, Wallyford, Edinburgh, EH21 8BZ, GB

Sinclair Plant Hire, Machinery Hire, JCB 3CX's, Excavators, mini Diggers, site clearance & groundworks providing Edinburgh, The Lothians & surrounding area

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GAP Hire Solutions- Leith (Edinburgh)

Open
3.7(9 reviews)

79 Salamander St, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7JZ, GB

Discover GAP Group, the UK's leading hire company. Find a depot, explore our products, or view job vacancies. Join us in eco-friendly construction.

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Dumper
EdinburghView details →

C Foster Plant Hire Ltd

Open
No reviews yet

74 Acredales, Haddington, EH41 4NU, GB

Plant Hire & Groundworks - Foster Construction & Groundworks, East Lothian. Machinery For Hire. JCB Hire. Short & Long-Term Hire. 50+ Years' Experience. Call Us

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ExcavatorMini Digger
EdinburghView details →

Hermiston Plant Hire Ltd

Open
No reviews yet

3 E Hermiston, Farm, Currie, EH14 4AJ, GB

Our hired plant includes Road Sweepers, Vogele pavers, Wirtgen planers. We serve all over Scotland.

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EdinburghView details →

SDH Plant Hire

Open
No reviews yet

29 George Grieve Way, Edinburgh, Tranent, Tranent, EH33 2QT, GB

SDH Plant Hire is a Groundworks covering Tranent, Livingstone, Dunfermline, Edinburgh and East Lothian, specialising in Mini Digger Hire, Self Drive and Operated Driver, Drainage Specialist, Demolition Specialist, Foundations and Site Management.

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Mini Digger
EdinburghView details →

YES Your Equipment Solutions (Edinburgh)

Open
No reviews yet

Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, Unit 5 Dryden Pl, Loanhead, EH20 9HP, GB

Welcome to Your Equipment Solutions Ltd, since 2012 we have become your one-stop shop for all Plant Tool Access and Welfare Requirements, from Small drills and Breakers to Excavators and Dumpers we have you covered for any job you need to do.

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BreakerDumperExcavator+2 more
EdinburghView details →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many plant hire companies are in Edinburgh?
There are 20 plant and equipment hire companies listed in Edinburgh. Compare daily and weekly rates, equipment types and delivery options.
How much does plant hire cost in Edinburgh?
A micro digger in Edinburgh costs £80-£150 per day. A mini digger costs £120-£200 per day. Cherry pickers cost £100-£250 per day. Weekly rates are typically 3-4 times the daily rate, offering significant savings on longer hires.
Do I need a licence to hire a mini digger?
For private domestic work on your own land, no licence is required. For construction sites or commercial projects, operators must hold a CPCS or NPORS card. If you do not have a qualified operator, hire companies can supply one for an additional £150-£250 per day.

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