Buying isn’t always the right call, for short-term projects, uncertain durations, or when you’d rather not tie up capital in a tank you might only need for a few months, hiring is often the more practical option. Here’s how it actually works.
How fuel tank hire works
You hire a bunded tank, and, if needed, a generator feed tank, for an agreed period, typically with delivery and collection included. The tank is fully bunded and compliant from day one, so you’re not responsible for sourcing or installing your own compliant setup, it arrives ready to use.
Typical contract lengths
Hire periods are usually flexible, starting from as little as 60 days and extending for as long as the project or need runs, rolling on a month-to-month basis is common once you’re past the minimum term, so you’re not locked into a fixed end date if your timeline shifts.
What it typically costs
Hire pricing is usually a periodic fee based on tank size and hire duration, separate from the fuel itself. Exactly what’s included varies by supplier, delivery, collection, and sometimes servicing during the hire period can be bundled in or charged separately, so it’s worth checking what’s covered before comparing quotes on price alone.
When hiring makes more sense than buying
- Short or fixed-term projects, where the tank won’t be needed once the job’s finished.
- Uncertain duration, if you don’t yet know how long you’ll need on-site fuel storage, hiring avoids committing to a purchase you might not need long-term.
- Avoiding upfront capital outlay, particularly useful for smaller businesses or one-off projects where cash flow matters more than long-term unit cost.
- Seasonal or occasional demand, such as agricultural work concentrated in particular months.
When buying makes more sense
If you know you’ll need on-site fuel storage indefinitely, or the hire period would realistically stretch out over a year or more, buying is usually the better value over time, see our bunded fuel tank costs guide for what ownership actually costs by size, and compare that against the ongoing hire fee for your expected duration.
What to check before you hire
- Confirm the tank is fully bunded and compliant, this should be standard, but worth confirming rather than assuming.
- Ask what’s included in the hire price versus charged separately (delivery, collection, servicing).
- Check the minimum term and what happens if your needs change, can you extend, or end the hire early, without penalty?
Need a tank for a fixed-term project, or not sure whether hiring or buying is the better fit? Get in touch and we’ll talk through what makes sense for your timeline and budget, or see our fuel tank hire page for our current range.
