Hiring a forklift seems straightforward – find equipment that meets your capacity needs, agree on a rental period, and get it delivered. In practice, businesses make mistakes during the hiring process that lead to operational problems, unexpected costs, or equipment that doesn’t actually suit their needs.
These mistakes aren’t obvious until you’re dealing with the consequences. The forklift arrives and can’t navigate your aisles. The hire agreement includes costs you didn’t anticipate. The equipment technically meets your specifications but doesn’t work for your actual operations.
Avoiding these common pitfalls means asking the right questions upfront, understanding what you actually need rather than what you think you need, and working with hire companies that help you make informed decisions rather than just processing orders.
One of the most frequent mistakes is hiring based on typical loads rather than maximum loads. You know you usually move pallets weighing 800kg, so you hire a forklift rated for 1,000kg. Seems reasonable, until you need to move something heavier and discover the equipment isn’t rated for it.
Forklifts lose capacity as lift height increases. A forklift rated for 2,500kg at ground level might only safely handle 1,800kg at full mast extension. If you didn’t account for this when specifying requirements, you’ve hired equipment that can’t safely do what you need.
Calculate your maximum load weight, not your average. Include the weight of any attachments or pallets. Consider your maximum required lift height and check what capacity the forklift maintains at that height – this information should be on the load chart, and reputable hire companies will provide it.
Build in a safety margin. If your heaviest load is 1,800kg, hiring equipment rated for exactly that leaves no room for error. Equipment rated for 2,000-2,500kg provides the buffer that prevents unsafe operation when you encounter slightly heavier loads.
Hiring an indoor electric forklift because it’s cheaper, then trying to use it on rough outdoor surfaces, causes problems quickly. Cushion tyres designed for smooth warehouse floors don’t handle uneven terrain. The equipment struggles, operators get frustrated, and you’re using equipment in ways it wasn’t designed for.
Similarly, hiring a large outdoor forklift for warehouse use might technically work, but you’ll struggle with manoeuvrability in tight aisles and deal with emissions in enclosed spaces.
Honestly assess where the forklift will operate most of the time. If it’s primarily outdoor work with occasional warehouse use, hire outdoor equipment. If it’s mainly indoors with brief trips to the loading bay, indoor equipment makes more sense.
And when it comes to things to know before hiring a forklift, being realistic about your operational environment is key. This means choosing equipment designed for those conditions, rather than equipment that seems adequate but creates daily frustrations.
You hire a forklift that meets your capacity and lift height requirements, then discover it can’t navigate your warehouse aisles. The turning radius is too wide, or the forklift’s overall length makes cornering impossible in your layout.
This is particularly common when businesses hire larger capacity equipment than they’ve used previously. Higher capacity often means larger overall dimensions and wider turning radius – specifications that matter enormously in confined spaces.
Measure your narrowest aisles and tightest turning points. Provide these measurements to the hire company and ask whether the proposed equipment will work in those spaces. Reputable companies will advise you if the equipment won’t suit your layout and suggest more appropriate alternatives.
If you’re unsure, some hire companies can arrange site visits to assess your space and recommend equipment that will actually work in your environment. This takes more time upfront but prevents hiring equipment that arrives and immediately proves impractical.
Hire costs aren’t always as straightforward as they appear. The quoted daily or weekly rate might not include delivery and collection charges, damage waiver fees, insurance, operator training, or maintenance costs during the hire period.
Some companies charge separately for fuel or battery charging. Others include basic maintenance but charge for repairs beyond normal wear and tear. Without clarifying these details upfront, your actual hire cost can exceed your budget significantly.
Ask specifically what the hire rate includes and what costs extra. Confirm whether delivery and collection are included, whether insurance or damage waiver is mandatory and what it costs, who’s responsible for routine maintenance during hire, and whether fuel or charging costs are included.
Request a complete cost breakdown in writing before committing. This prevents surprises and allows accurate budget planning for the full hire period.
Businesses often hire conservatively, booking equipment for the minimum time they think they’ll need. Then the project takes longer than expected, stock levels remain high, or the temporary capacity needs extend beyond initial estimates.
Extending hire periods usually costs more per day than booking longer initially. Daily rates typically decrease for longer hire periods – weekly rates are better than daily, monthly better than weekly. Frequent short extensions cost more than booking the appropriate duration from the start.
Consider your project timeline honestly, including realistic buffers for delays. If you think you’ll need equipment for two weeks, hiring for three weeks might cost less overall than booking two weeks then extending twice.
Many hire companies offer flexible terms where you can return equipment early if your needs end sooner than expected, whilst still benefiting from longer-period rates. Ask about these options rather than assuming you’re locked into the full hire duration.
Assuming your operators can use any forklift because they’re certified is a mistake. Forklift licences cover general operation, but different equipment types, controls, and features require specific familiarisation.
Some businesses hire equipment then realise their operators aren’t actually certified for that specific type. Electric forklifts operate differently than LPG or diesel. Reach trucks require different skills than counterbalance forklifts. Operating uncertified creates serious legal liability and safety risks.
Verify that your operators hold appropriate certifications for the specific equipment type you’re hiring. If they don’t, arrange training before the equipment arrives – most hire companies can provide or arrange operator training.
Even if operators are certified, brief familiarisation with the specific equipment is valuable. Controls vary between manufacturers and models. Safety features might differ from what operators are used to. Taking 30 minutes to familiarise operators with new equipment prevents mistakes and improves safety.
Avoiding these common mistakes comes down to thorough preparation – understanding your actual requirements rather than assumptions, asking detailed questions about costs and terms, and working with hire companies that provide guidance rather than just processing orders.
At Acclaim Handling, we provide lift trucks without long-term commitment whilst helping you avoid the mistakes that turn short-term hire into expensive problems. We’ll help you specify the right equipment for your actual needs, explain exactly what hire costs include, and ensure you’re making informed decisions that work for your operation.
Hiring equipment should solve problems, not create them. Getting the details right from the start ensures you get equipment that actually works for your operation at costs you’ve budgeted for, without the surprises that come from rushing the decision or making assumptions about what you need.
We prioritize accuracy and integrity in our content. Here's how we maintain high standards:
Our content is carefully reviewed by experienced professionals to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Look for the expert-reviewed label to read content you can trust.
01708 861 414
