Power outages can cost businesses thousands in lost productivity, damaged goods and frustrated customers. This makes it absolutely crucial to have a reliable source of backup power, such as a diesel generator.
But the crucial decision is should your business hire or buy a generator? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, as it depends on the needs of your business along with lots of other factors.
It’ll also come down to cost, where you’ll need to decide what you can afford to pay upfront and which option represents the best investment and value for money.
Should You Hire or Buy a Generator?
The hire vs. buy question may be answered by thinking about how often you are likely to need backup power (although this can sometimes be hard to estimate). Your available budget is another crucial consideration, as are your long-term plans for your business, site and infrastructure.
Both options have pros and cons, so there’s quite a lot to think about.
Why Hiring Works for Short-Term Needs
Hiring a generator is the go-to solution for many businesses that need temporary or seasonal power. You might be hosting an event, running a short-term project or your usual power supply is temporarily down. You may even be in the process of installing a permanent generator, and need temporary power until the work is finished.
Here are a few of the main benefits of hiring:
- Lower upfront cost – no large capital outlay means better cash flow for your business
- No maintenance hassle – most hire agreements include servicing and support
- Scalability – if you need more power, you can simply upgrade to a bigger unit
- Quick deployment – generator hire companies often deliver and install fast.
Hiring is ideal when you need power for days or weeks, rather than years. It’s flexible, affordable and practical for short-term or infrequent use.
Why Buying Might Be the Better Long-Term Bet
If your business frequently relies on backup power or operates in remote areas with unreliable grid access, purchasing a generator could make more sense.
The benefits of buying include:
- Lower lifetime cost – although upfront costs are higher, buying can be cheaper in the long run if the generator is used regularly.
- Always available – you don’t have to wait for delivery or worry about availability.
- Customisation – you can invest in specific models and features that suit your operations.
- Asset ownership – the generator becomes part of your company’s infrastructure.
For businesses where power continuity is critical (for example, data centres, hospitals or manufacturing facilities) buying a generator is often a sound investment.
What Is The Average Cost Of Hire or Purchase?
Cost is usually the biggest factor in deciding between hiring or buying a generator. Understanding what you’re likely to spend can guide your decision.
The Price of Diesel Generators
In order to decide whether to buy or hire a generator, you’re going to need some hard data on costs.
So, how much do diesel generators cost to hire and to buy outright?
Hire prices for diesel generators typically range from £100 to £1,000+ per week, depending on the size (kVA rating), runtime and any support services included.
For example:
- A small 20kVA generator might cost £150/week
A large 250kVA unit could cost anywhere between £700 and 1,000/week.
To buy a generator outright, you can expect to pay:
- £3,000 to £6,000 for smaller models (up to 50kVA)
- £10,000 to £30,000+ for larger units (100kVA to 500kVA+)
You also need to factor in additional costs, such as transport, installation and housing (for example, weatherproof canopies or containers).
Generator Servicing Costs to Keep in Mind
Generators require regular maintenance to stay in top condition. If you buy one, servicing is your responsibility.
So how much does a generator service cost? On average, you can expect to pay:
- £150 to £300 for a basic service, done every 6 to 12 months.
- £500 to £1,000+ for a comprehensive service, which includes load testing, oil/filter changes and full inspections.
- £100+ an hour for emergency callouts, if your generator fails.
Hiring a generator avoids these servicing costs, as most providers include maintenance in the rental package.
How to Make the Right Call for Your Business
Cost will always be important, but making this major decision requires more than just a quick price check. There are other factors to consider too.
Think About Power Demand, Budget, and Flexibility
- Frequency of use – hiring is usually best for occasional use, while buying a generator makes more sense for regular or constant use
- Budget – hiring helps conserve capital by avoiding a large initial outlay, while buying offers long-term savings.
- Flexibility – if your power needs change often, hiring provides adaptability without commitments.
How Backup Planning Fits Into the Big Picture
Backup generators are a crucial part of contingency and continuity planning, helping your business prepare for unexpected outages.
In fact, ISO 22301, the international standard for business continuity management, recommends that organisations identify critical operations and ensure they have contingency measures in place for power loss and infrastructure failure.
This highlights just how important it is to include backup power solutions in your risk and resilience planning.
So when deciding whether or not to buy a generator, ask yourself:
- Do you have service-level agreements (SLAs) to maintain?
- Would a loss of power impact health, safety or compliance?
- How fast do you need to restore power after an outage?
If downtime isn’t an option, a permanent, on-site generator might be the only way forward.
Let’s Talk Solutions That Work for You
Every business is different. A small business such as a cafe or shop might only need a small generator during local grid work, while a manufacturing plant might require continuous standby power to keep operations running 24/7.
Whether you decide to hire for a specific event or invest in a long-term power solution, the right generator can protect your operations, reduce risk and improve resilience.
At Pleavin Power, we specialise in both generator hire and sales. Our expert team can assess your requirements and guide you to the best solution, helping you with everything from designing a custom generator setup to deciding which uninterruptible power supply to buy.
We also offer maintenance packages, installation support, and 24/7 emergency services to keep your business powered no matter what.
Need help deciding? Get in touch today for tailored advice and a no-obligation quote.
