HIAB hire costs in the UK are not fixed-rate — they depend on several variables that affect the time, equipment and crew required. Understanding those variables helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises on the invoice.
What Affects HIAB Hire Price?
The key cost factors are vehicle size, travel distance, load weight and complexity, site access, and whether a second operative is needed. A smaller HIAB 558 on a local urban delivery costs significantly less than a HIAB 858 travelling 300 miles to lift a 15-tonne transformer over an obstruction.
Typical HIAB Day Rates
As a rough guide, smaller HIAB trucks (up to 12 tonne lift) typically range from £400–£855 per day including driver and fuel. Mid-range vehicles covering most commercial work fall between £600–£900 per day. Heavy lift vehicles (HIAB 858) can be £800–£1,400+ per day depending on the specification required. These figures are indicative — actual quotes depend on the full job brief.
Per-Job vs Day Rate
Many HIAB jobs are priced per job rather than per day. A straightforward single-lift delivery within 50 miles may cost £250–£600 all-in. Multi-drop runs, complex lifts, out-of-hours work or jobs requiring special permits will be priced individually. Per-job pricing gives you certainty — you know the cost before work begins.
What Is Included?
A properly quoted HIAB job from a reputable operator includes the vehicle, driver, crane operator certification, fuel, third-party insurance and basic traffic management. Extras that may be charged separately include waiting time beyond a specified allowance, permit costs (road closure, abnormal load), specialist rigging, and return legs if the vehicle is repositioning from far away.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Provide your operator with: collection and delivery postcodes, a description and estimated weight of the load, any site access restrictions (low bridges, soft ground, overhead cables), whether offloading needs to be to a specific position or just kerbside, and your preferred date and time window. The more detail you give, the more accurate your quote will be.
At HIAB Services UK we provide free, no-obligation quotes. Fill in our quote form or call 0330 175 8197 and we will turn around a price quickly.
Is HIAB Hire VAT-Able?
Yes. All HIAB hire prices from VAT-registered operators (which includes any legitimate business operator) are subject to 20% VAT. Ensure your quote shows net and gross figures so you can budget accurately.
