When businesses look into forklift hire, the focus often falls on the monthly rate. But understanding what's included in forklift hire and, just as importantly, what isn't can be the difference between a cost that works for your operation and one that quietly spirals beyond budget. Hire agreements vary significantly between suppliers, and the small print matters more than most people realise before they sign.
This guide breaks down exactly what you should expect to see covered in a standard UK forklift hire contract, where the gaps commonly appear, and what questions to ask before committing.
What's Typically Included in a Forklift Hire Contract
Scheduled Maintenance and Servicing
For most long-term hire agreements typically running from one to seven years servicing, breakdown cover, and ongoing maintenance are included in the monthly fee, keeping forklifts in peak condition throughout the entire hire period. This is one of the core financial benefits of hire over ownership: you're not absorbing unexpected repair bills or having to manage service scheduling internally.
It's worth confirming whether this is a fully maintained agreement or a finance-only arrangement, as the latter leaves servicing costs entirely with you.
Breakdown Cover and Response
Most reputable hire contracts include some form of breakdown response, planned maintenance, safety inspections, fast breakdown response, and where needed, a replacement truck to keep you working. The key detail to check is the committed response time. A four-hour response SLA is standard among well-run providers; anything less defined should be queried in writing before signing.
LOLER Thorough Examinations
The thorough examination must be carried out at least every 12 months. Where the hire company provides the truck, the responsibility for the thorough examination lies with the hire company. In practice, this means a valid LOLER examination certificate should accompany every hire truck when delivered, and the hire company should manage subsequent examinations during the contract term.
This is a compliance point that trips up businesses every year. The thorough examination is a legal requirement under LOLER 1998, and assuming your hire company is handling it without confirming in writing is a risk not worth taking.
The Equipment Itself With Caveats
The forklift, a battery and charger (for electric models), and safety markings should all be included as standard. At iLift, every EP lithium-ion forklift delivered on rental comes complete with a high-performance battery included no hidden extras to source before you can get to work. Browse our available rental trucks to see the full range.
What's Usually NOT Included in Forklift Hire
This is where many businesses get caught out. A hire rate that looks competitive can look very different once the excluded costs are added.
Delivery and Collection
Delivery and collection costs are often not included in the base rental price. These costs can vary depending on the distance between the rental company and your location, and it's crucial to ask about these charges upfront. For short-term hires in particular, transport costs can be surprisingly significant once delivery and collection are included, a one-day hire can cost almost as much as a week's hire.
Some suppliers include free delivery on contracts beyond 12 months; others charge at cost regardless. Always confirm this before comparing quotes.
Operator Training
This one surprises many businesses. PUWER requires employers to ensure that anyone operating a forklift has received proper training. There is no single national forklift licence in the same way as a driving licence, but that does not mean anyone can simply operate a forklift.
Crucially, the user is responsible for the operator's competence, pre-use checks, and keeping the equipment within its intended use during the hire period. Operator training is almost never included in a hire contract; it remains your responsibility as the employer, regardless of whether the truck is owned or rented.
Accidental Damage
Wear and tear is typically covered under a hire agreement. Accidental damage caused by operator error, collision, or misuse is not. If the damage has occurred due to incorrect use of the truck or carelessness, the hirer is responsible for the cost. Damage due to wear and tear or factory defects is covered under the contract.
Some suppliers offer optional damage waiver add-ons, similar to car hire excess cover. These can be worth considering if your site has high pedestrian traffic or tight operating spaces.
Excess Hours and Usage Overage
Beyond the basic hire fee, watch out for extra charges including excess hour fees if the forklift is used more intensively than the contract allows. Most long-term hire agreements are priced around an assumed annual usage figure commonly 250 hours per year for lighter applications. Running a truck at 1,000+ hours per year against a contract written for 250 will generate overage charges.
Before signing, make sure the contracted hours reflect your actual expected usage and ask what the overage rate is.
Consumables: Tyres, Forks, and Chains
Misuse, damage, forks, tyres, chains, and hoses are typically excluded from contract hire coverage. These are considered wear items and are generally the hirer's responsibility. Tyres in particular can be a significant cost on heavily used trucks, so it's worth clarifying whether a tyre replacement package can be bundled into the agreement.
The Compliance Split You Need to Understand
One of the most misunderstood aspects of forklift hire is where legal responsibility sits. Many businesses assume that hiring a forklift transfers compliance obligations to the supplier. It doesn't at least not entirely.
The split works like this:
The hire company is responsible for: placing compliant equipment into service with a valid thorough examination certificate, and managing subsequent statutory examinations during the contract.
You as the hirer are responsible for: operator training and competence, daily pre-use checks, safe lift planning, keeping the truck within its rated capacity, and ensuring the operating environment is safe.
Neither party can shift its duties onto the other by contract, which is a point the HSE has made repeatedly in enforcement cases. If an untrained operator damages the truck or causes an injury, a hire agreement does not shield the employer from liability under PUWER or the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Forklift Hire Contract
Before committing, run through this checklist with any potential supplier:
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Is this a fully maintained contract, or finance-only?
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Are delivery and collection included in the monthly rate?
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What is the committed breakdown response time, and is a replacement truck provided?
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Who arranges and pays for LOLER thorough examinations?
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What is the contracted annual usage figure, and what is the overage rate?
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Are tyres, forks, and chains covered, or excluded?
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Is there an option to add accidental damage cover?
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What are the terms for early termination if your needs change?
Why Lithium-Ion Forklifts Simplify the Hire Equation
One practical advantage of hiring a modern lithium-ion electric forklift rather than a diesel or LPG model is that several common contract complications simply don't apply.
There's no fuel supply to arrange, no engine servicing to schedule, no emissions compliance to manage indoors, and opportunity charging during breaks means the truck is almost always ready to use. Lithium-Ion batteries are 95% efficient or more, compared to around 80% efficiency of traditional lead-acid batteries, and electric forklifts typically require less maintenance due to fewer moving parts.
iLift's rental fleet is built entirely around EP lithium-ion equipment, from compact 3-wheel trucks ideal for narrow aisles through to heavier counterbalance models for yard and loading bay use. Every rental truck comes with a battery included and a full pre-delivery inspection, so it arrives ready to work from day one.
Explore our short and long-term rental options or get in touch with the iLift team to discuss what's right for your operation with no hidden fees and clear, honest contract terms from the outset.
FAQ: Forklift Hire Contracts
Does forklift hire always include maintenance?
Not automatically. Long-term contract hire (typically one year or more) usually includes planned maintenance and breakdown cover as standard. Short-term hire may or may not always confirm before booking.
Who is responsible for LOLER compliance when hiring a forklift?
Responsibility is shared. The hire company must provide a truck with a valid thorough examination certificate and manage scheduled examinations. You, as the hirer, remain responsible for operator training, daily checks, and safe operation on site.
Can I end a forklift hire contract early?
This varies by agreement. Most long-term contracts include early termination clauses, often requiring a settlement payment. Check this before signing, particularly if your operational requirements could change.
Is operator training included in forklift hire?
No. Operator training is almost never included in a hire contract. As the employer, you are legally required under PUWER to ensure all operators are adequately trained and competent before operating any forklift, owned or hired. The HSE's Approved Code of Practice L117 sets out the training requirements in detail.
What happens if the hired forklift breaks down?
Under a fully maintained contract, the hire company is responsible for repairs and should provide a replacement truck if the machine cannot be fixed promptly. Confirm the response time commitment and the replacement truck provision in writing before signing.
Getting the Contract Right from the Start
Understanding what's included in forklift hire before you sign protects your budget and your compliance position. The headline monthly rate rarely tells the full story delivery costs, usage limits, damage liability, and training responsibilities all deserve equal attention.
If you'd like a straightforward conversation about iLift's rental terms with no jargon and no hidden extras contact us here and our team will walk you through exactly what's covered.
