As a professional with extensive experience working on built projects, I’ve seen multiple changes in the UK construction industry in my two-decade-long career. Like any other demanding profession, the job of a site or project manager comes with highs and lows (more lows on some days).
But what lasts longer than any hardships on site is the partnerships you build with construction solution providers. When you have reliable providers for crucial and mandatory tasks like providing site welfare, the load on your shoulders tends to lighten a little.
I’m fortunate to have partnered with 5 such providers, who are the best in my book. Here in this article, I share my experience with their products and services.
1. Hireforce Welfare
Pros
Specialising in Welfare Hire
Based in Leicester, Hireforce Welfare is a trusted name in UK welfare hire. We first partnered with them for a project in Syston. I was the primary site supervisor, and because this was a small project, we had hired about ten of their 10-person Ecosmart hybrid welfare units. With tight deadlines, I only interacted with them briefly via email, but their team understood exactly what my project required.
It helped that their primary focus is solely on welfare hires, which is what they do best. We didn’t have to look anywhere else for welfare cabins for our Milton Keynes project because we were satisfied with their units and service.
Hybrid Range
Hiring their welfare units was akin to hiring a welfare trailer powered by the best of both worlds: fuel and battery. Moreover, I was quite impressed with the compact interiors that offered comfort with sustainability and functionality. The automatic generator switch-off feature saved us fuel while hot water was available, even as the generator was off.
Nationwide Delivery and Service
Anyone tasked with arranging site welfare knows the trouble they have to go through to transport the units on site when the delivery option is unavailable. I’m glad Hireforce took care of the delivery tasks for all my projects and delivered the units within the said timelines.
Quickest Setup Times
Setting up the welfare cabins can be difficult with some providers. But Hireforce has units that work differently. Their welfare units use hydraulic systems and can be set up in less than 60 seconds! This saved a lot of our project time.
Experienced Team
Hireforce Welfare is the welfare specialist division of the long-standing Hireforce Group, known for tools, mechanised and non-mechanised equipment, and small-access platform hire business. Speaking from personal experience, I think it’s better to trust a business that has built a solid reputation for decades in the same industry you’re working in.
Cons
Offer Only Hire
Hireforce only offers welfare cabins for hire. While this can be considered core expertise, it may also be a disadvantage for some projects.
Overall Experience
Both my team and I have had a great experience with Hireforce, with their well-maintained welfare cabins and prompt services going beyond our expectations.
My Rating
4.8/5
2. Welfare4Hire
Pros
Solar Units
We partnered with Welfare4hire for hiring 5 of their 12-person solar welfare units. It was small, according to my team, and provided all the different facilities it claimed to offer.
Wide Variety
Welfare4Hire offers a great variety of welfare units and services.
Cons
Toilet Emptying Service
Welfare4Hire offers a wide range of welfare and toilet units along with servicing options. In my experience, while their 12-person units were great, their toilet emptying service was not up to the mark.
Overall Experience
I had a good experience with Welfare4Hire, and I think they’re great for contractors looking for solar units.
My Rating
4/5
3. Garic
Pros
Quick Delivery Promise
Garic is a well-known site solutions expert, also providing welfare products and services for hire. Their USP allows you to either collect their welfare unit within 24 hours or get it delivered within 48 hours; either is great for getting a welfare cabin at the eleventh hour.
Range of Welfare Solutions
Garic offers a wide range of welfare solutions, from mobile welfare units to site tower lights.
Cons
Diesel-Only Generator Units
A good chunk of their range has diesel-only generator-powered units, something not too favoured with site managers like me who prefer an eco-friendly unit range.
Welfare is Not Core Focus
I felt Garic’s core focus is towards providing comprehensive site solutions, and site welfare can be a part of it.
Overall Experience
Personally, I liked Garic’s quick welfare delivery proposition and was glad they delivered on it.
My Rating
4/5
4. Wernick Hire
Pros
Solar-Lithium Technology
Wernick Hire’s solar-lithium battery-powered hybrid units were a good fit for our project sites that demanded greener on-site solutions.
Cons
High Rates
While their eco units are functional as advertised, they can come at a premium.
Large Project Focused
Their services tend to focus more on large project needs and less on small, short-term hires.
Overall Experience
Although a great choice for eco-friendly welfare hire, in my opinion, Wernick charges a premium compared to other providers.
My Rating
3.5/5
5. Norspace
Pros
All Steel Construction
We hired Norspace’s robust, all-steel units for one of our projects. The units were well constructed, especially because steel was a core part of the build.
Longstanding Name
Norspace is a long-standing name in the industry, well-known for its services since the 1980s.
Cons
Not Eco-Friendly
In my opinion, Norspace is focused more on the durability of their units on sites and not so much on eco-friendly needs.
Overall Experience
Our experience hiring Norspace’s welfare units was good, supported by prompt service.
My Rating
3/5
Summing Up
Ever since worker welfare was prioritised, I have worked with many welfare firms. You may think reviewing five welfare hire providers is a lot, but these are the ones I’ve had the best experiences with in my professional career.
The best is always subjective, so I always recommend you do your due diligence and assess your project’s needs before partnering with any provider.