Advice & Guides
Hire, buying and running it properly: trailers and towing, tools, plant, vehicles, storage, removals, clearance and the trades. Plain answers, UK law included.
The HGV Annual Test Explained
An HGV annual test is a mandatory safety inspection for any heavy goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes maximum gross weight rating. It is carried out by DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) approved…
Hiring a van with penalty points on your licence
You can hire a van in the UK with penalty points on your licence, but whether a company will accept you depends entirely on its own insurance policy and the threshold it sets - there is no single…
How Long Can You Keep a Skip?
Most skip hire companies in the UK allow you to keep a skip for 7 to 14 days as standard, though the exact period depends on your agreement with the hire firm and local council rules about street…
Is Your House Clearance Company Legitimate?
A legitimate house clearance company must hold an upper-tier waste carrier licence, and you can verify this free of charge before you book. Hiring an unlicensed firm is not just a gamble on the…
How Far Ahead Should You Book a Removal Company?
For most UK house moves, booking a removal company four to six weeks before your moving date gives you enough time to gather quotes, arrange a survey and confirm your slot. During busy periods, that…
CaSSOA Grades Explained for Caravan Storage
CaSSOA grades are safety and security classifications for caravan storage facilities across the UK. The Caravan Storage and Security Association (CaSSOA) operates an independent accreditation scheme…
Do You Need a Licence to Hire Tools in the UK?
No government-issued licence is required to hire most power tools in the UK, but that does not mean you can simply pick up any piece of equipment and use it without restriction. Whether you need…
Hiring vs Buying a Mini Digger
Hiring a mini digger suits short-term projects and saves capital outlay, whilst buying makes financial sense for regular, long-term work. The choice depends on project frequency, storage space,…
Are towing mirrors a legal requirement?
Yes, towing mirrors are a legal requirement under UK law whenever a trailer is wider than the towing vehicle or blocks the driver's view behind.
Does Your Tradesperson Need to Be VAT Registered?
No - a UK tradesperson does not have to be VAT registered unless their taxable turnover exceeds the current HMRC threshold of £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period. A sole trader, partnership or…
Hydraulic Hose Failure: Spotting It Before It Goes
Hydraulic hose failure is one of the most dangerous faults that can develop on a vehicle or piece of plant equipment. Unlike a worn tyre or a flat battery, a burst hydraulic line does not give a…
What to check before you hire a van in the UK
Before you hire a van in the UK, there are several practical checks worth making - on your licence, your insurance position, the vehicle itself and the hire agreement - because terms vary…
Specs and comparisons
Check the numbers before you hire or buy, then see who near you has one.
1014 product fact sheets
Weights, sizes, power and payloads for the trailers, plant, tools and vans UK firms hire and sell.
259 makes
Who builds what, where they are from and which models they are known for.
Size guides
Skips, storage units, containers and vans: the dimensions and what fits in each.
Side-by-side comparisons
Two models or sizes, every shared figure lined up and the differences spelled out.
Popular comparisons