Terms and conditions of hire
These terms apply to every hire from Viksons Tool Hire. Please read them before you book.
Viksons Tool Hire — Kirby Cross, Essex
Terms and conditions of hire
Version 2026-08 · viksonstoolhire.com/terms
Version 2026-08
Save or print a copy of the full hire terms for your records or site file.
1. The hire agreement
A hire begins when equipment leaves our yard or is delivered to you, and ends when it is returned to us or collected. The person named on the agreement is responsible for the equipment throughout, including when it is on site with others. We hire only to customers aged 18 or over.
2. Hire periods and charges
Rates are quoted per day, per weekend or per week and exclude VAT unless stated. A day is a 24-hour period from the time the equipment leaves the yard. Weekend rates cover Saturday collection with return by 09:00 Monday. Weekly rates cover seven consecutive days. Late returns are charged at the standard daily rate for each day or part-day the equipment is held.
3. Identification and payment
First-time hirers need photo ID (driving licence or passport) plus a utility bill, council tax or bank statement dated within the last three months showing the same address. Hire charges, deposit and any delivery are paid in full before the equipment leaves the yard. We accept card and cash; approved trade accounts are invoiced monthly, strictly 30 days net.
4. Deposits
A refundable deposit is held on most items and is shown on every product page — typically £50 to £100 on hand and power tools, £100 to £250 on garden machinery and breakers, and £250 to £500 on excavators, dumpers and powered access. The deposit is refunded to the same card or in cash within three working days of the equipment being checked back in complete, clean, fuelled and undamaged. Outstanding hire charges, refuelling, cleaning, damage or missing accessories are deducted from the deposit first and the balance returned. Approved trade accounts hire deposit-free.
5. Delivery and collection
We deliver on our own transport from the yard in Kirby Cross. Charges are per journey and quoted at the point of booking; the bands below are a guide. Deliveries run Monday to Friday with morning and afternoon slots, and Saturday morning by arrangement. You must provide safe, suitable access, a firm level area for unloading and someone over 18 on site to sign for and take handover of the equipment. Wasted journeys — no access, no one on site, or the equipment not ready for collection — are charged at the full journey rate.
| Area | Distance | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Kirby Cross, Frinton, Walton, Thorpe-le-Soken | Up to 5 miles | £15 each way |
| Clacton, Weeley, Great Bentley, Kirby-le-Soken | 5–10 miles | £25 each way |
| Colchester, Harwich, Manningtree, Brightlingsea | 10–20 miles | £40 each way |
| Wider Essex and Suffolk borders | 20 miles + | Quoted per journey |
Charges exclude VAT and are per journey. Excavators, dumpers and towers may carry a higher rate where a plant trailer is needed.
6. Your responsibilities
Use the equipment only for its intended purpose, by competent operators, in line with the handover briefing and the manufacturer's instructions. Carry out the daily checks we show you, keep the equipment secure and out of sight when not in use, and do not modify, dismantle or sub-hire it without our written agreement. Some plant requires certification, such as IPAF for powered access; we will tell you before you book.
7. Damage, loss and theft
You are responsible for the equipment from handover until it is back with us, including loss and theft. Damage is charged at the cost of repair plus lost hire time while the item is off the fleet; equipment that is lost, stolen or beyond repair is charged at its full replacement cost. Theft claims must be supported by a police crime reference number. Tyres, tracks, glass and damage from striking buried services are chargeable in all cases.
8. Damage waiver and insurance
An optional damage waiver of 10% of the hire charge (minimum £5) reduces your liability for accidental damage to a £250 contribution per incident. It is not insurance and does not cover theft, loss, misuse, neglect, running the machine without oil or coolant, wrong fuel, lost keys, or damage where the equipment was left unsecured. Without the waiver you carry the full cost. Trade and contractor customers should carry hired-in plant insurance on a new-for-old basis for the replacement value of the equipment, plus public liability cover; we can provide values and serial numbers for your insurer on request. Our own insurance does not extend to equipment while it is in your possession.
9. Fuel, consumables and cleaning
Petrol and diesel machines leave the yard with a full tank and must be returned full. Refuelling is charged at pump price plus a £10 handling fee per machine. Use only the fuel stated on the machine and in the handover — two-stroke equipment is supplied with the correct pre-mix and must not be run on straight petrol. Consumables including blades, discs, drill bits, sanding sheets, chains and picks are charged for wear or replacement at cost. Equipment must come back swept down and free of concrete, mortar and soil; a cleaning charge from £15 applies where it does not.
10. Breakdowns
Stop using the equipment and report any fault immediately. We repair or replace items that fail through fair wear and tear and credit the lost hire time. Faults caused by misuse, wrong fuel, running dry or continuing to use a machine after a fault are chargeable, including recovery and transport costs. Do not attempt repairs yourself.
11. Cancellations and changes
Reservations cancelled more than 24 hours before the start of the hire are refunded in full. Inside 24 hours we may charge one day's hire, and delivery charges already incurred are non-refundable. Extensions are subject to availability and must be agreed with the yard before the return date.
12. Liability
We are not liable for indirect losses such as loss of profit, contract or site delays. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for anything else that cannot be limited by law.
13. Legal Acknowledgement and Governing Law
This website and every hire agreement is operated by VIKSONS TOOL HIRE LTD (company number 15786702), whose registered office is Chalice House, Bromley Road, Elmstead, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7BY. By using this website, requesting a quote, making a reservation or signing a hire agreement, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales, and any dispute arising from them shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
These terms are a summary of our standard hire conditions and do not affect your statutory rights. A full copy is available on request from the yard. Last reviewed August 2026.