Plant
Which machine is on the quote, at what width or class, and is it self-drive or operated?
Comparing quotes guide
How do you compare a surfacing quote?
A cheaper-looking quote often leaves out transport, people, support or the work of planning the job. Use this checklist to compare like for like.
Back to the Learning Centre →» Straight answer
Compare the whole job, not the cheapest-looking line
A useful quote says which machine turns up, who operates it, what supporting plant is included, how it gets to site, what happens to materials or planings, and who is planning the work. If those are missing, you are not comparing like for like.
This is a checklist, not a price list. MAC does not publish public rates here. We will still review the job with you before anything is confirmed.
People
Does it include a driver, screwmen, extra labour, or is that your crew?
Supporting plant
Rollers, sweepers and other kit are not automatic. Ask what is actually coming.
Transport
Does the figure include delivery and collection, and how many movements?
Materials and planings
Who supplies the asphalt? If material is removed, who keeps it and who moves it?
Cover if something stops
Workshop support, breakdown cover and night working are not always included, especially on self-drive hire.
What you still arrange
Site management, traffic management, materials and other trades often stay with you unless the quote says otherwise.
Who is planning the job
Hiring a named machine is not the same as asking MAC to plan the work from start to finish.
» What to watch for
Why two quotes for the same job can look so different
Buyers often compare the number on the page. The difference is usually what was left off. Ask these questions of every quote, including ours.
A day rate with no delivery
Ask whether transport is in the figure. A cheaper line can grow once delivery is added.
One movement, heavy load
Ask how many vehicles the move needs and whether the weights work. One low-loader is not always the same job as two.
Self-drive treated as fully covered
Night-time call-out is not automatic. Check what workshop cover is included and when it applies.
A square metre rate with no list
Ask which people, rollers, planing, transport and traffic management sit behind the rate.
Package labels with no scope
Full gang and kit, or complete package, only means something when the quote lists what is in.
A paver and driver when you need the job planned
If your team is still ringing the office to ask how to build the job, you may need contracting rather than plant hire.
» Related guides
Get the detail for the service you need
Paver hire options
Compare self-drive hire, operated hire and a complete surfacing package, then check current pavers.
Choose a paver option →Road planer hire quotes
Every MAC road planer is operated. Send what needs removing, whether the plant can get in and where the material will go.
Prepare a planer enquiry →» Quantity calculator
Estimate quantities before you compare quotes
A planning figure for asphalt or removals helps you see whether two quotes are even talking about the same job. It is not a price.
Use this to see whether two quotes are even describing the same area and depth. It is not a price and it does not replace a quotation.
Estimate quantities →
» Case study
Car Park Planing, The Mount Hotel, Tettenhall
MAC's role: planing and wider car park work
MAC planed the existing car park surface and carried out wider refurbishment work, including drainage, kerbs, surfacing and line marking.
This case study shows a wider car park job, not a single-line plant hire quote. It does not prove every quote comparison on this page.
Read the case study →» Need help choosing?
Tell us what you need quoted
Send the site, the work you need and which quotes you are comparing. MAC will help you see what is actually included.