Site Set-Up Hire Vs Buy: A Framework For Contractors
Setting up site welfare, canteens and kitchens, office space and meeting rooms is a core mobilisation activity for main contractors when getting a project up and running, ready for site operatives and workers.
Hire vs buy decisions influence:
✅ How length of the project justifies ownership
✅ How much storage pressure builds up
✅ How cost comparison shapes the overall project
✅ How easy close-out recovery becomes
Hire vs buy decisions affects cost, compliance, delivery, project timeframe, flexibility, risk and sustainability. Making these decisions without a framework, tends to fall back on habit. Habit usually means buying what’s familiar, hiring what’s urgent, and leaving recovery to the end. That approach creates waste and friction, even when the project team is strong.
A better approach is to use a small number of decision drivers that reflect the real world of site operations.
The Seven Drivers That Matter On Live Projects
Instead of debating every item individually, assess the project against these drivers first. They determine which approach will cause fewer problems.
Driver 1: Duration of Use |
Some items sit in one place for the full programme, others move weekly. |
Driver 2: Storage Space and Security |
Storage constraints turn “buying” into a hidden risk. |
Driver 3: Movement & Handling Frequency |
Movement creates wear, damage, and loss. |
Driver 4: Risk of Damage & Replacement |
Damage creates waste, delays, and repeat spend. Items exposed to high traffic, heavy handling, or rough conditions should be assessed honestly. |
Driver 5: Delivery Constraints & Logistics Pressure |
Delivery pressure creates waste indirectly through rushed decisions and poor storage conditions. |
Driver 6: Close-out complexity and recovery route |
This driver is often ignored until it is too late. |
Driver 7: Standardisation Across Multiple Sites |
Contractors running multiple sites often benefit from consistent setup standards. It reduces decision time and prevents each site inventing its own rules. |
Hire Vs Buy Decision Framework For A Contractor
Here’s a simple framework that only takes 4 steps to complete to help make the decision on hiring or buying for a site or project.
Step 1: Scope 'The Seven Drivers' that matter on a project
This tool will help determine which approach will cause fewer problems.
Step 2: Perform a simple break-even with a 'Hire vs Buy Calculator'
Compare the cost of hire vs purchase.
Using Bryson’s site set-up calculator we can highlight at what point in the project scope hire vs buy is the best approach. Based on the scope of the project using predefined parameters (for example number of operatives, timeframe, site set-up products required) our calculator can advise which route is better suited.
Step 3: Consider branding client expectations
Custom branding requirements on a project vary depending on the contractors involved and the client’s requirements. It’s also worth considering the importance of well branded, eye-catching site set-up to impress the end client and stand out from the competition.
If standard product and signage/hoarding are required, these are often hired. However, if custom branding is required and is almost always the case PPE & Workwear items, then these items are purchased.
Step 4: Select hire or buy, or a hybrid approach
There is no universal “correct” model. What matters is whether the chosen approach keeps the site controlled across phases, is simple and cost effective and reduces waste outcomes over the full project lifecycle.
Why Hybrid Is Often The Strongest Model
Hybrid works well on many sites because it balances control with flexibility.
A strong hybrid model usually means:
✅ Buying stable, long-life items that remain consistent across the programme
✅ Hiring items that are needed for shorter durations
✅ Buying items that require branding
✅ Using managed replenishment for consumables
Hybrid wins because it prevents both extremes:
✅ Buying too much and carrying the storage and space burden
✅ Hiring too much for a lengthy project duration and running the risk of higher damaged items costs
Bryson’s Approach To Site Set-Ups
Using the above framework to adequately assess the project, if buying is the best approach, using Bryson’s clear five-step Sustainable Site Set-up structure, from early consultation through to ongoing reuse and recycling support, we can help define your set set-up requirements, build and consolidate your order, and delivery it one go.
Bryson offers a comprehensive range of site set-up, safety and PPE products for any construction site going through the process of setting up a new project.
The benefits of using Bryson’s model over hiring include:
✅ An honest framework and a site set-up calculator provides steer as to when hire vs buy is the best approach.
✅ Consolidating all items from one supplier with one delivery helps reduce logistics admin particularly for sites with delivery constraints.
✅ We offer in-house custom branding, further consolidating ordering and making site admin simpler and cost effective. Plus ensuring sites have a well branded, eye-catching setup to keep clients happy.
✅ Our end-of-use, take-back and recycling schemes help reduce waste for bought products, making them as attractive as hired items.
✅ We can help sites create a standard ‘site setup checklist’ which means a consistent, reliable and compliant range of items delivered every time, whereas hiring often has its limitations on item availability and deliverability.
If you want a sustainable site set-up plan that's practocal, controlled, and built for real site conditions, Bryson is ready to help.
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