Plant Hire in Exeter

Compare plant hire companies in Exeter. View ratings, reviews and contact details. Get free quotes from local providers.

24 companies

Plant Hire in Exeter: What You Need to Know

The plant hire market in Exeter serves construction firms, groundwork contractors, landscapers, utility companies and homeowners undertaking significant projects. The most commonly hired machines include mini diggers for garden and driveway work, excavators for foundations and earthmoving, dumpers for site logistics, and cherry pickers for working at height. Both short-term daily hires and longer-term contracts are widely available. The market includes large national hire companies with extensive fleets and local independent operators who often provide more competitive rates and a more personal service for smaller projects.

When hiring plant equipment in Exeter, the key decision is whether you need wet hire (with a qualified operator) or dry hire (self-drive). For dry hire on any construction site regulated under CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations, the operator must hold a CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme) or NPORS card for the specific machine category. Homeowners using a mini digger on their own land for private domestic work are not legally required to hold a card, though training is strongly recommended for safety reasons. Wet hire includes a fully qualified operator and is the safer option if you lack experience — the hire company handles all competency and insurance requirements.

Typical daily plant hire rates in Exeter range from £80 to £150 for a micro or mini digger under 3 tonnes, £150 to £250 for a larger excavator, £100 to £180 for a site dumper, and £120 to £250 for a cherry picker or access platform. Weekly rates typically work out at three to four times the daily rate, offering significant savings on longer projects. Delivery and collection charges range from £50 to £150 each way depending on the machine size and distance. Fuel is usually your responsibility on dry hire. Ask whether the quoted price includes VAT and any damage waiver, as these can add 20 to 30 percent to the headline figure.

Several practical considerations apply when hiring plant in Exeter. Delivery access is critical — confirm that the site entrance, road widths and ground conditions can handle a low-loader delivering the machine. For work near highways or public footpaths, you may need traffic management plans and council permits. Noise restrictions in residential areas can limit operating hours, typically to 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Check the hire company's breakdown response policy: a reliable operator will have engineers available to attend site within hours if a machine develops a fault, minimising costly downtime on your project.

D & H Plant

Open
5(22 reviews)

Saunders Way, Cullompton, EX15 1BS, GB

At D & H Plant, we offer a large range of plant machinery, offering Yanmar mini & midi excavators from 3/4 ton up to 8 ton machines including micro diggers, zero tailswing diggers and long reach diggers. We hire a selection of Thwaites, Benford & Barford dumpers with a variety of straight tip,...

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BreakerCompactorDumper+4 more
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D & F Super Cranes

Open
5(4 reviews)

Cross Park Farm/Heath Cross, Exeter, EX4 2HN, GB

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Langford Plant Hire

Open
5(4 reviews)

East Langford, Bow, Crediton, EX17 6HX, GB

Offering an extensive range of plant machinery and attachments on both self drive and operated hire. Haulage and tipper services also available

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Morris Leslie Plant Hire Ltd (Formerly Selwood Ltd)

Open
5(4 reviews)

Bittern Rd, Exeter, EX2 7LW, GB

Morris Leslie Group continues to expand and drive innovation within construction, automotive, property, leisure, and many other industries.

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DumperExcavatorRoller+1 more
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Sky Platform Hire Ltd

Open
5(4 reviews)

Kingsford Rural Business Centre, Kentisbeare, Cullompton, EX15 2AU, GB

Sky® Platform Hire offers a fast, safe and reliable service with more than 40 years active experience within the Cherry Picker Hire industry.

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Cherry Picker
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BT Jenkins Ltd

Open
5(3 reviews)

Clyst Court, Blackmore Rd, Clyst Saint Mary, Exeter, EX5 1SA, GB

Plant Hire, Contracting, Groundworks, Earthmoving, Crushing and Screening services in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset from BT Jenkins Plant Hire and Contracting

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Exe Valley Plant Hire

Open
5(3 reviews)

Unit 6, Mill Ash Farm, Crediton, EX17 1AH, GB

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Huws Gray Plant & Tool Hire Exeter

Open
5(3 reviews)

Unit S, Matford Park, Yeoford Way, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8LB, GB

Hire tools, equipment and plant from our national network of branches. Experience local service, quick delivery and easy online ordering.

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R D Toms Plant Hire & Groundworks Exeter, Crediton, Tiverton Devon

Open
5(2 reviews)

Little Swallows Keymelford, Yeoford, Crediton, EX17 5JG, GB

RD Toms Plant Hire services throughout Crediton, Exeter and South Devon. Digger hire from1.5 tonne to 13 tonnes. Groundworks Services also available.

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Excavator
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Castle Plant & Tool Hire

Open
5(1 review)

Alexandria Trading Estate, Alexandria Rd, Sidmouth, EX10 9HL, GB

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South West Tool Hire Exeter

Open
5(1 review)

Heron Rd, Sowton, Exeter, Ind, EX2 7LL, GB

South West Tool Hire supply all your tool and plant hire needs across Bristol, Exeter and the South West. Delivery within 2 hours dependent on location.

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BreakerCherry PickerCompressor+8 more
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Crediton Tool Hire

Open
4.9(21 reviews)

2 Marsh Rd, Crediton, EX17 1EU, GB

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Eagle Plant

Open
4.8(19 reviews)

Howden Industrial Estate, Tiverton, EX16 5HW, GB

As a long established, well trusted Plant Hire company we offer a range of equipment & portable buildings for use by both trade and public.

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DumperExcavatorRoller+1 more
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C Plant Services Devon Ltd

Open
4.7(18 reviews)

Fenny Bridges, Honiton, EX14 3BG, GB

C Plant Services specialize in hire & sales of plant machinery & tools, based in Honiton, Devon. We have a wide range of equipment available.

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BreakerCherry PickerCompactor+7 more
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Brandon Hire Station Exeter - Trusham Road

Open
4.7(12 reviews)

Unit A, 20 Trusham Rd, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8QG, GB

Brandon Hire Station: Tool & Equipment Hire.

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Holt JCB Exeter

Open
4.6(14 reviews)

Hennock Road East, Hennock Rd N, Marsh Barton, Exeter, Exeter, EX2 8RU, GB

Holt JCB has over 40 years experience of selling JCB equipment and after sales services, making it one of the longest running JCB dealers in the world.

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Generator
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Tool Care Hire (Devon) Ltd

Open
4.5(47 reviews)

9 Hennock Rd Central, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8NP, GB

Tool Care Hire - Experts in plant hire, small tool hire, operated plant hire, & plant sales. Depots in Exeter, Exmouth, Torbay & Okehampton.

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Cherry PickerDumperExcavator+2 more
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Devon Plant Services Limited

Open
4.4(18 reviews)

The Old Airfield/Unit 1, Winkleigh, EX19 8DW, GB

Dedicated for the Sale & Hire of quality new and used equipment to the construction and agricultural industries.

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DumperExcavatorForklift+2 more
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CCE Plant Sales - Devon

Open
4(1 review)

Hartnoll Business Centre, Post Hill, Tiverton, EX16 4NG, GB

Your Kubota dealer for the South West and South Wales, supplying Kubota Construction Machinery, Hamm Compaction Equipment, Promove Hydraulic Hammers, Cangini Attachments and Auger Torque Earth Moving Equipment.

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BreakerDumperExcavator+1 more
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GAP Hire Solutions - Exeter

Open
3.9(10 reviews)

Unit 10-12 Kestrel Business Park, Kestrel Way, Exeter, EX2 7JS, GB

Discover GAP Group, the UK's leading hire company. Find a depot, explore our products, or view job vacancies. Join us in eco-friendly construction.

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Dumper
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EG Plant Hire Ltd

Open
No reviews yet

Station Yard, Station Rd, Hele, Exeter, EX5 4PL, GB

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Piling Plant Hire

Open
No reviews yet

Suite 101, The Barbican Centre, Lustleigh Cl, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8PW, GB

Piling Plant Hire is here for all your piling equipment needs. Hire high-quality, industry machinery to complete your project successfully.

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Plantforce (Devon)

Open
No reviews yet

Chancel Ln., Pinhoe, Exeter, EX4 8FG, GB

Plantforce provides one of the largest and most diverse ranges of plant hire machinery and skilled operators in the UK. Find a machine for your site here.

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DumperExcavator
ExeterView details →

Sam Marles Plant Hire

Open
No reviews yet

Woodbury Salterton, Exeter, EX5 1EL, GB

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many plant hire companies are in Exeter?
There are 24 plant and equipment hire companies listed in Exeter. Compare daily and weekly rates, equipment types and delivery options.
How much does plant hire cost in Exeter?
A micro digger in Exeter costs £80-£150 per day. A mini digger costs £120-£200 per day. Cherry pickers cost £100-£250 per day. Weekly rates are typically 3-4 times the daily rate, offering significant savings on longer hires.
Do I need a licence to hire a mini digger?
For private domestic work on your own land, no licence is required. For construction sites or commercial projects, operators must hold a CPCS or NPORS card. If you do not have a qualified operator, hire companies can supply one for an additional £150-£250 per day.

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