Summary: How much does it cost to hire a cherry picker, average cherry picker prices and costs.
There are lots of domestic DIY projects that might require the use of a cherry picker. Any type of work that is carried out at a height can be dangerous and for many people the thought of scaffolding or industrial ladder hire can be expensive and time consuming. By the time scaffolding has been erected around a house, a cherry picker and its crew can have the job done for you and be off to the next client.
Cherry pickers are hired out with a crew who are experts at their job. The members of staff are trained to stringent British safety standards and will hold certificates in the relevant fields for working at heights.
Self drive hire for the general public is not usually an option with cherry pickers. This is almost solely for safety reasons. It would be impossible for a self hire firm to gain insurance on cherry pickers loaned out to the general public.
Average Cost
| Job | Average Cost | Updated | Quote |
| 40ft Cherry picker (Day) | £80 – £100 (Day) | 2019 | n/a |
| 40ft Cherry picker (Week) | £200 – £300 (Week) | 2019 | n/a |
Factors to consider
Cherry pickers come with a one man or two man crew, so you can choose the size of your workforce at the time of ordering. If you think you might need extra operators, ask at the hire firm and they will usually add extra staff to the crew for an additional fee. Most jobs that require working at heights can be carried out with a cherry picker and they are available in a range of reaches suitable for domestic use around your property.
Many hire firms offer standard rates for frequently carried out jobs such as TV aerials, gutter and roof work, tree access, painting and decorating and even rescuing pets. If you have a job that you’re not sure whether a cherry picker would be suitable, ring round and ask. You will be surprised at some of the work they are asked to do that requires access at height via a platform.
Costs to consider
You can hire a cherry picker for about £25 per hour with a one man crew and £45 per hour with a two man crew. Check that there is no minimum rate as some firms will specify that you have to hire for a certain number of hours if you live quite a distance from the depot.
For example if you are 50 miles from the depot, you may be obliged to hire the cherry picker and crew for a minimum of three hours to include the time it takes for them to travel to and from your site. Even though you are not actually using the cherry picker, it is considered to be in use by you until it has returned to the depot to be dispatched to the next client. Therefore, it makes sense to use a hire firm that is as local as possible to get the best rates.
For general domestic based jobs that require a small cherry picker you will usually be offered a Transit van based vehicle with a 12 metre reach that gives sufficient height for a standard house. For higher buildings, an up and over boom and double hydraulic arm system can be a flexible option for a range of projects. Larger vehicles such as this tend to be hired out on a day or weekly rate rather than by the hour as they are more likely to be used on more complex jobs that take more time.
Unlike the hiring of most plant vehicles, cherry pickers don’t always require a deposit if they are being driven and operated by the hire firm’s own staff. You are paying for the service and not technically using the equipment yourself so there shouldn’t really be any need for them to charge a retainer or returnable upfront fee. If there is a deposit to pay it is unlikely to be very much and certainly nowhere near as high as hiring a self-drive van, for example.
A cherry picker hired for residential use cannot be used for any business purposes and you may be required to sign a hire agreement stating that the work to be carried out is not for commercial gain and that it is not a business property.
Public liability insurance should be held by the hire firm so if any damage occurs on your property as a result of an accident involving the cherry picker, you should be fully protected. If you are unsure about insurance, ask the hire firm when you are filling out the agreement.