Hiring Vacuum or suction excavators – what should I look out for?

So, you know you need vacuum or suction excavation as opposed to the traditional digging methods, but how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? When the real-world implications of choosing the wrong vacuum excavation company are so costly, it’s crucial you make your decision based on considerations that a company should be able to easily demonstrate. All sites and projects present different and unique challenges, but when you give thought to these important considerations for hiring vacuum or suction excavators, a favourable outcome is far more likely.

Here are 8 considerations when hiring vacuum or suction excavators:

Strike free record

It’s crucial that you question a company’s strike-free record when carrying out your research for a vacuum or suction excavation hire company. Every time a utility strike occurs during excavation, it triggers a series of direct and indirect costs that will severely impact the project and contractor in various ways. With the cost of a utility strike averaging at £30,000 (but has been known to run into the millions), it’s imperative you do everything you can to avoid an incident of this kind. This starts with your decision-making when choosing a vacuum or suction excavation company to partner with.

The Vac-Ex difference: John Mee Vac-Ex Hire has delivered over 1 million working hours with zero strikes, maintaining health and safety records. This proven track record is one we are extremely proud of and demonstrates our commitment to delivering predictable excavation outcomes to a variety of sectors throughout the UK.

Quality of operators

There can be a huge difference in the quality of vacuum or suction excavator operators, as legally you only need to hold a CPCS A78 (A-H) Trained Operative Red Card to operate the machinery. As with most specialist roles, personnel with industry-leading training and accreditation separate them from the rest and make efficient, strike-free outcomes far more likely. The difference between an operator who can work with agility and adapt as unexpected challenges arise compared to one who doesn’t have that experience or skills can make or break a project.

The Vac-Ex difference: At John Mee Vac-Ex Hire, we proudly consider our operators as elite, due to their completion of our highly developed in-house training program, becoming the best accredited operators in the industry, specialising in some of the most challenging construction sectors. Combine that with our proven record of over 1 million hours of strike-free excavation work, and they are well-prepared to meet the demands of your excavation project, no matter how complex.

Do they have the right equipment for your specific requirements?

Depending on the type of excavation project being carried out, the complexity, or the location, this can change the requirement of the machinery that is best suited for the job. Not all hire companies have the same fleet versatility to meet the demands of challenging environments. Some projects may have access issues, be in spaces with limited room, or be on treacherous, uneven ground, and this is where more specialists and state-of-the art equipment are required.

The Vac-Ex difference: John Mee Vac-Ex Hire understands the importance of staying ahead of the curve and continuously evolving to meet our customers’s ever-growing needs. Our growing fleet of operated machines available to hire 24/7 demonstrates our commitment to pairing cutting-edge equipment with our elite operators. Our fleet includes CPCS Ticketed Operated 32T 8 Wheel Vacuum Excavators, which is one of our most popular operated vacuum excavation units. The hydraulic ‘Mega Arm’ and 32-tonne capacity make it the leading machine on the market. For more complex requirements, our fleet also includes the CPCS Ticketed Operated T-Vac Midi Track, which is a compact yet powerful and versatile vacuum excavation unit capable of handling even the hardest-to-reach excavation projects. Our experienced team can assist you in selecting the most suitable equipment based on your project’s unique requirements.

Can they work in your sector?

There are strict regulatory requirements, safety protocols, and operational procedures specific to certain locations or sectors that are non-negotiable when carrying out excavation. Choosing a hiring company that isn’t familiar with these conditions could lead to delayed start times, inoperative personnel, missed deadlines, and monetary penalties.

The Vac-Ex difference: Finding a company that is confident in sensitive areas and sectors that require specialist passes is imperative. John Mee Vac-Ex Hire has a proven track record of working in nuclear, airports, substations, power stations, petrochemicals, MOD, and other specialist areas.

Flexibility

Even with the best intentions, dates and times of projects can quickly change when you consider all the moving parts. An unrelated issue somewhere else on site can have a knock-on effect and snowball into a situation that affects when the excavation can take place. If you choose a hirer that has limited or stretched capacity, they may not be able to offer the flexibility required to meet your new schedule.

The Vac-Ex difference: With an expansive fleet of operated machines and operators working 24/7, John Mee Vac-Ex Hire can offer true project flexibility to ensure the success of your excavation project.

Emergency response

When planning your project, you must account for all eventualities; this includes what would happen in the event of any emergencies. You should consider if the contractor you have entrusted has the resources and capacity to respond quickly and in the correct way.

The Vac-Ex difference: John Mee Vac-Ex Hire has the resources and capacity to help in any emergency situation. Backed up by our leading vacuum excavation experts who can offer support and advice at every stage of the job.

Industry standing

The reputation of a company should precede itself, and if said company has provided consistent performance and reliability and built long-term relationships with their clients, it should be evident for all to see. Don’t be afraid to ask about their strike-free record, who they work with, and their past projects. Most trusted contractors should be able to provide this information, or it will be on their website.

The Vac-Ex difference: With John Mee Vac-Ex Hire, you are in safe and trusted hands; our reputation throughout the industry speaks for itself. We’re happy to talk you through our zero strikes record, the clients that we work with, and discuss our many past projects of all complexities.

Support

From planning to execution and any unexpected challenges, having expert support from specialists who deeply understand the excavation industry proves invaluable.

Whether you encounter unexpected issues or require adjustments to your excavation plan, we have the expertise and resources to adapt quickly, keeping your project on track and minimising any potential delays. That is the Vac-Ex difference when choosing a specialist hirer like John Mee Vac-Ex Hire.

There you have it: 8 crucial considerations to make your decision-making much easier when hiring vacuum or suction excavators. Make sure your research is thorough and you choose the right excavator hire company to achieve a successful excavation outcome.

Are you ready to hire a vacuum or suction excavator?

So, now that you know what to look out for, it should be apparent that John Mee Vac-Ex Hire ticks all the right boxes to get the job done safely and efficiently. Choose a trusted provider that is already at the forefront of the industry with a proven track record for a predictable excavation outcome. You’ll be delighted by the Vac-Ex difference: the right advice, elite and accredited operators, and specialist vacuum excavation to tackle your most complex jobs.

For 24/7 available hire speak to an expert today 01302 636 532

Andy Roberts Editor at Vac-Ex

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