NEW research has revealed that with the UK construction industry facing mounting cost pressures, tightening legislation, and accelerating decarbonisation targets, plant hire is ‘fast becoming the preferred route’ for accessing vital equipment.
Barbour ABI found that the UK plant hire market will reach a value of £3.56 billion in 2025, growing nearly 24% since 2020.
Researchers found that contractors and developers are increasingly turning away from asset ownership in favour of flexible, on-demand access to machinery. The shift is being driven by a need to reduce capital expenditure, avoid compliance risks, and accelerate the adoption of greener, more efficient technologies.
“Hiring gives firms the ability to scale up quickly for major infrastructure or energy projects, while avoiding the financial and legislative burden of plant ownership,” said Barbour ABI’s chief analyst Ed Griffiths. “With emissions regulations tightening and net zero targets looming, firms are under pressure to modernise fleets faster than ever, and plant hire offers a route to do that affordably.”
Barbour’s reporting highlights that earthmoving and lifting equipment alone account for 68% of plant hire value, with demand being ‘supercharged’ by major projects like HS2, The Great Grid Upgrade, and the upcoming AMP8 water infrastructure investment plan.
Hire businesses are also investing in low-emission, battery-electric and hydrogen-powered machinery, helping contractors meet new environmental standards without costly investment. With rental penetration in the UK already around 75%, Barbour added that the trend away from ownership looks set to continue well beyond 2025.
“As we look toward 2029, we expect the plant hire market to continue its upward trajectory, supported by a projected £700 – £775 billion in UK infrastructure investment and a growing push for low-emission equipment,” said Griffiths. “With rental penetration already sky high and sectors like renewable energy, data centres, and utilities driving demand, hire is no longer just a cost-saving choice – it’s a strategic one. The shift to smart, sustainable, and flexible solutions will define how construction firms operate over the next five years.”
