Steel road plates are an essential part of construction, civil and excavation projects. But should you buy or hire steel road plates? When is buying beneficial, and when should you rent? What factors should you consider for renting steel road plates?
If you want an answer to any of these questions, you’re at the right place. This article will break down:
- When you should buy steel road plates.
- When renting is the smart, cost-effective and feasible option.
- Key factors to consider before renting steel plates.
Buying vs Renting Steel Road Plates: Which is Better?
Both buying and renting have their own pros and cons and suit specific requirements. Buying is useful when:
- You have a long-term requirement.
- You frequently use road plates in your everyday projects.
Renting is right for you if:
- Road plates are not a part of your everyday projects.
- You are involved with one or more projects requiring short-term use of road plates.
Buying a road plate requires a large upfront investment, while the rental cost is much less, even if the project lasts a month. However, in the long term, renting costs more. Hence, buying is only convenient if you frequently handle projects where road plates are necessary and required for long-term use.
Buying is a thoughtful process requiring precision for size selection. You either buy multiple sizes of road plates or carefully select the sizes you commonly need. Still, the chances are you might need a specific size that you don’t own, or you may not have enough plates.
On the other hand, renting gives you the flexibility to get the exact size of road plates you need without any quantity constraint. Like at Legend Hire, we have a large stock of multiple sizes and thicknesses of road plates. You can hire any size and any quantity you require.
Keep in mind that if you buy road plates, you will be responsible for regularly maintaining and storing them, something that is not your duty when renting.
| Hiring road plates | Buying road plates |
| Best for short-term and occasional use | Ideal for long-term and frequent everyday use |
| Low rental cost makes it affordable | High upfront investment |
| No storage or upkeep required. The rental company handles the plates. | You’re responsible for storage, transport, and ongoing maintenance. |
| Offers high flexibility. You can rent different sizes and thicknesses as needed. | Limited flexibility. You’re restricted to the sizes, thicknesses and quantity you own. |
Steel Road Plates Vs Composite Plates: Which One Do You Need?
Steel road plates rental guide: 7 Things you need to know
Here are a few things you must consider before renting steel plates.
1. Your requirements
Note down your site conditions and necessary data. This includes:
- Size of the trench: Measure the area needed to be covered.
- Traffic: How frequently vehicles will pass over the road plate and how heavy they are. Is it a pedestrian path, a main road, or a construction site where cranes and heavy machinery need to pass?
- Duration: For how long do you need the plates? You can hire steel plates on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
- Installation: Do you plan to install the plates yourself and have the necessary tools and machinery, or do you need installation services? Consider that steel plates require a crane to lift them.
At Legend Hire, we offer prompt delivery and installation services to our customers. Check out how our team delivered and securely installed 15+ road plates to a site within 3 hours, reopening the road for traffic.
- Safety: Assess the safety concerns on site, such as slopes, ramps, loose ground or other potential hazards.
2. Size of the road plates
Road plates come in different sizes. The right size for your trench or excavation will be slightly bigger than the trench’s length. This extension will ensure that the plate is securely fitted and supported by the ground.
Legend Hire offers multiple sizes of steel road plates. Our most common steel plate sizes are 122cmx122cm, 244cmx122cm, 300cmx122cm, 300cmx180cm and 400cmx180cm. Contact us to get your required size.
3. Thickness of the road plates
The thickness of the steel road plate determines its load capacity. The higher the thickness, the more load a plate can bear. Legend Hire’s steel plates are available in multiple thicknesses, including the common 2.5cm, 3.2cm, 3.8cm and 5cm.
4. Anti-slip coatings
Steel plates, though, are safe on their own, but can become slippery for high-speed vehicles and pedestrians in muddy and rainy environments. To prevent slips and accidents, ensure the steel plates have anti-slip coatings. It is a layer on the top surface of the plate that increases the friction and prevents slippage under any condition.
All our road plates have high-quality anti-slip coating, making them safe to be used under any weather conditions. Check out how a civil contractor ensured safety with our anti-slip road plates after a pedestrian accident.
5. Cost of hiring steel plates
Steel road plates’ rental cost depends on a few factors:
- The size and thickness of road plates: Larger and thicker plates cost more.
- Your location: Hiring road plates in Sydney and Brisbane may have different pricing.
- Duration of hiring: The longer the duration, the higher the cost.
- Supplier: Different suppliers have different pricing.
- Specific features, requirements or services: The cost increases if you require additional features or services.
We offer road plates for hire at competitive prices and provide complete customer support so you can get the right steel plate for your project. Contact us to get a quote or talk to our team.
6. Regulatory compliance
Before you rent, confirm with the supplier that the steel plates are according to Australian Standards and have the necessary certifications.
7. Consult an expert
Lastly, before making a final decision, consult an expert. Walk them through your site conditions and requirements, and they will guide you on the right steel plate.
You can contact Legend Hire’s team anytime to inquire about any product or selection process. One of our Legends will guide you on selecting the right steel plate for your project requirements that will be safe and compliant.
How to choose the right road plate for your construction needs?
Hire top-quality steel plates from Legend Hire
For most projects, renting is the practical, fast and efficient option, unless you meet the criteria for buying. No matter what option you choose, always consider factors like plate size, thickness, load capacity, coatings, and compliance to ensure safety and efficiency in your project.
If renting is the right fit for you, Legend Hire is your supplier of road plates for hire in Australia. We provide multiple steel road plate sizes, anti-slip coatings, prompt installation and complete compliance with Australian Standards. Contact us to speak with an expert and get the right plates delivered and installed at your site.