When undertaking any type of construction, landscaping or earthworks project in Perth, there really are only two questions to ask: what materials will you need, and what equipment will you need to use? Sometimes a project will require machinery hire; sometimes it will only require material supply; however many times the project will require a combination of both.
At Formula Transport, we deliver to builders, landscapers and homeowners across Perth daily, and the most common question we are asked is 'Do I require machinery or do I require materials delivered.' We've compiled a simple guide with exactly what to expect for each answer.
What Is Machinery Hire?
Equipment hire refers to hiring a machine (like an excavator, bobcat, tipper or loader) with an operator to do the work on your site. Common place work includes: digging, levelling, demolishing, site clearance, and bulk soil and soil removal.
Most of the time machinery hire is the best option. It's only when your job is not conveyance of earthmoving materials but time-consuming work that you need to be thinking about buying in. Clearing a block, digging holes for foundations, grading a driveway or hauling away dirt before a build is a task for machines with experienced operators not a delivery.
What Is Material Supply?
Material supply, however, refers to having the raw materials for your project delivered to the site. This may refer to materials such as sand, gravel, roadbase, aggregate and decorative stone. Instead of hiring tools to perform a job, you are ordering the desired product in the desired quantity and having it delivered to site.
If you have the equipment, the labour, then material supply is the service you're after. Whether you require quality sand, gravel, roadbase, or any other construction material, we can provide it. Whether it's builders preparing footings, landscapers setting up garden beds, or a home-owner simply topping-up a driveway, we're here to supply the right product at the right specification. Time is also an important factor.
Key Differences at a Glance
|
Factor |
Machinery Hiring |
Materials Supply |
|
What you are paying for |
Equipment plus labor |
Time |
|
Most effective for |
Earthworks, excavations, demolition and land clearing operations |
Sand, gravel and road base aggregates |
|
Common Users |
Construction firms, earth moving contractors, building companies |
Landscapers, construction firms and homeowners |
|
End result |
Work is completed on site |
Materials are supplied for immediate use |
When You Need Machinery Hired?
Hiring machinery is the logical choice if your work involves altering the shape or condition of the land – that is:
- Site clearing, building preparation and demolition - clearing away all vegetation, outdated or historic structures, or pavement before completion of a build.
- Ditching for footings & slabs - by cutting out at the right depth and shape for a new build.
- Removal of soil and carting- removal of surplus or contaminated soil for disposal away from the site.
- Driveway and access grading - shaping and level out ground prior to paving or roadbase.
- Bulk earthwork - all engineering works involving the movement of large quantities of fill or spoil from one location in a site to another.
Hiring machinery almost always comes with an experienced operator for this reason because this kind of work needs operators trained in knowledge such as load limits, site safety and ground conditions
When You Need Material Supply?
Material supplies suit better once the groundwork is completed, or if your project merely needs a delivered product rather than physical labour. Typical examples are:
- Constructing a new driveway or driveway - price for roadbase, ferricrete or aggregate.
- Landscaping and Garden projects - Delivered brickies sand, paving sand or garden soil for beds, lawns, or retaining work.
- Preparation for casting in concrete or concrete paving - finding the most suitable mix of fine sand or aggregate to achieve the desired result.
- Extending current surfaces Add gravel/pea gravel to rejuvenate driveways, pathways or drainage areas.
- Bulk orders- special purchasing term,procurement of specific materials used in volume for large commercial or residential jobs.
Goods quality, correct size or grade, delivered reliably are the three more important factors here so that you don't end up holding things up while you wait for material.
When Your Project Needs Both?
Most bigger builds and renovations often require both services at different times. For instance, one residential build may require site clearing and soil removal (machinery hire) first and then it could go on to require delivery of sand, roadbase and aggregate (material supply) once the site has been prepared for the foundations, paving or landscaping. Once the timing works out well with the machines arriving first to get your site prepared and the materials arriving second to complete your project, you will meet your deadline without paying for machinery or delivery for something you don't need yet.
If you're unsure at what stage you are, it's advisable to have a short chat with a contractor that has the knowledge of both sides of the job. A reliable haulage and materials partner can advise you of the best order the works should take place allowing your machinery and materials to arrive on site when needed, not before and not after.
Why Perth Builders and Landscapers Choose Formula Transport?
As a company who has been providing earthworks and materials to projects in Perth for over 20years, we have a unique insight into both sides of this equation. We offer a premium delivery service of selected products including brickies sand, fill sand, paving sand, gravel, ferricrete and roadbase, all to commercial and residential customers throughout Perth metro. Through leading edge equipment and experienced operators, we also offer earthworks, bulk haulage, soil cartage and removal.
As all the material supply and earthmoving is under the one roof we are able to help you define exactly what your project will require during each stage of work rather than trying to co-ordinate several suppliers. Whether you require a site cleared and shaped or a load of premium roadbase to arrive tomorrow morning we have the staff and equipment ready to assist your project to run smoothly and within a budget.
Final Thoughts
Providers of machinery rental and suppliers of materials each address very different challenges. Whether that is moving, cutting or removing earth on your site, machinery hire will provide a physical form of labour. If it's the right product to lay, pave or landscape a particular area then a materials supplier will help. A project often requires both at different points and understanding the difference can help you more accurately plan your schedule and costs.
If you're planning a project in Perth and are unsure what machinery, materials, or a combination of both, will be necessary, then why not contact the Formula Transport team. We'll assist you in determining just how much you require and deliver it on time.
FAQs
Do I need machinery hired for a small landscaping job?
Generally not. Small landscaping jobs usually just require material supply such as sand, soil, or gravel to be delivered and spread out onto your property, as the digging or shaping work is normally done by hand.
Can Formula Transport provide both machinery hire and material supply?
Yes we can. It is the reason why our company, Formula Transport, provides not only supply of sand, gravel, roadbase and aggregates but also earthworks, soil removal and bulk haulage. We are all on the same project.
How do I know if my project needs both services?
If your project is for clearing, digging or leveling of the land prior to construction or landscaping, then equipment hire might be required initially and then materials supply could be started for finishing.
Is machinery hire more expensive than material supply?
Costs depend on the nature of the work. Hire of machinery is charged on an hourly or daily rate including operators hired for supplying materials usually by tonne or m3; depending on quantities supplied.
What materials does Formula Transport supply?
We have brickies sand, fill sand, paving sand, aggregate, cracker dust, ferricrete, roadbase, pea gravel available direct to deliver to all locations in Perth for residential and commercial projects, bulk and special orders.
Do I need an operator with hired machinery?
Yes, in general. Heavy excavation and earth works need skilled operators who can read conditions of ground, limits of loading etc. Hence naively equipment hire will include an operator with it.
Who should I contact to plan machinery and material needs?
Get in touch with a company like Formula Transport. They will visit your site if needed and advise on the best order for machinery hire and supplies of materials, as well as arranging delivery dates.
