Plant Hire Rates in South Africa
Free quotes from plant hire companies across South Africa. One request, no obligation.
- Size class
- per hour, day, week or month
- Gets to site
- On a lowbed
- Job stage
- Plant hire services
Plant hire rates in South Africa depend on the machine, how long you need it, whether an operator and fuel are included and how far it must travel. PlantHiring.co.za is a free quote service. Fill in one form and independent hire companies near your site send you their own prices directly. We do not hire, set prices for or transport any machine ourselves, and there is no fee or obligation. This page explains how rates are built so you can compare quotes properly.
How plant hire rates are structured
Hire companies price yellow plant in a few standard ways:
- Hourly rates, read off the machine's hour meter, usually with a minimum of several hours per day
- Daily rates for a set shift, common for small plant and short jobs
- Weekly and monthly rates, cheaper per day, often with a cap on hours per month and extra hours billed separately
When you search for plant hire rates per hour in South Africa, remember that the hourly figure is only part of the bill. A low rate with a high daily minimum can cost more than a slightly higher rate with a short minimum.
What drives the cost
The main cost drivers are the same for every machine:
- Machine size and type, as a 30 t excavator costs far more than a mini
- Wet or dry hire: see plant hire with operator
- Float charges to deliver and collect on a lowbed, charged each way
- Abnormal-load permits for wide or heavy machines
- Standing time, overtime and weekend hours
- Deposits, account terms and damage waiver or insurance
- VAT, which some quotes include and others add at the end
Remote and mining sites may also carry operator accommodation and travel.
Reading a plant hire price list
A plant hire price list or yellow plant hire price list is a starting point, not a quote. Lists show base rates, but the price for your job depends on location, duration and conditions. Check each list for minimum hours, float zones, fuel terms and whether rates exclude VAT. For example, a TLB hire price may be listed per hour, but a one-day house job will also carry a minimum charge and delivery each way. Machine pages such as TLB hire and excavator hire explain size-specific factors.
Getting comparable quotes
Give every supplier the same information: machine size, job description, site address, expected hours or days, start date and whether you want an operator and fuel. Ask for a written quote showing the rate, the minimum, the float charge, standing time rules and VAT. Then compare the total for your realistic hours, not the headline rate. Check payment terms too: cash clients usually pay a deposit up front, while approved account holders pay at month end after an account application with company and bank details.
What to include in your request
- Give the machine size and job
- State expected hours or days
- Say whether you want an operator and fuel
- Ask for float, minimum and VAT to be shown
Plant Hire Rates on different jobs
- House plots and renovations: a one-day TLB booking with a minimum charge and float each way for foundations
- Housing estates and townships: monthly rates for excavators, graders and rollers on services and road works
- Shopping centres, offices and schools: hourly and daily rates for loaders and cranes during bulk earthworks and lifting
- Factories, warehouses and logistics parks: long-term monthly rates for loaders and forklifts on yards and platforms
- Roads, pipelines and civil works: monthly wet rates for graders, rollers and water trucks on layer works
- Mines and quarries: monthly hour-capped rates for excavators, dozers and loaders on load and haul
- Farms, dams and game lodges: daily or weekly dozer rates with float charges for dams and farm roads
Frequently asked questions
Does PlantHiring.co.za set plant hire rates?
Why is there a minimum number of hours?
What is a float charge?
Are plant hire rates cheaper for longer hires?
Plant Hire Rates by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Lephalale
- Kimberley
- Kathu
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
More plant and equipment for hire
Dig & load
Machines that excavate, trench, load and clear
Haul & lift
Trucks that move material, machines that lift it
Compact & finish
Level, compact and mix for layer works and slabs
Site power & tools
Power, breaking, small plant and access
Plant hire services
Hire with operators, rates and buying equipment