If you need to move water quickly and reliably, a submersible pump can be an essential piece of equipment. From construction site dewatering and drainage works to wastewater management, flood response and industrial applications, submersible pumps are used across a huge range of environments.
But once you know you need one, another question quickly follows: should I hire or buy a submersible pump?
There isn’t a single answer that will suit every project. The right decision depends on how frequently the pump will be required, how long it will be operating, the conditions it will encounter and whether your pumping requirements are likely to change.
At Pump Supplies, we provide both pump hire and pump sales, so our focus is on helping customers find the solution that makes the most practical and commercial sense for their application.
When Does Hiring a Submersible Pump Make Sense?
For temporary works, one-off projects or situations where pumping requirements can change, hiring can be an extremely practical option.
Construction and civil engineering projects are a good example. You may require a particular pump for several weeks or months to manage groundwater, keep an excavation dry or maintain water levels while other works are completed. Once the project finishes, that equipment may no longer be required.
Hiring means you can access equipment for the period you actually need it without committing capital to purchasing a pump that could subsequently spend long periods unused.
It can also provide greater flexibility. Pumping requirements aren’t always predictable, particularly on complex sites. Flow rates, water levels, solids content, discharge distances and site conditions can all influence the equipment required.
If those requirements change, having access to a broad hire fleet can make it easier to adapt the pumping solution accordingly.
When Is Buying a Submersible Pump Better?
Purchasing becomes particularly attractive when a pump forms a permanent or frequently used part of your operations.
If the same type of pump is going to be used regularly over a number of years, ownership can make more financial sense than repeatedly hiring equipment.
Buying also means the equipment is available whenever you need it. For businesses with predictable pumping requirements, this can be valuable. There is no need to arrange hire every time the pump is required, and the equipment can be incorporated directly into your operational processes.
Permanent installations are another obvious example. Pumping stations, wastewater facilities, industrial sites and water management systems can require pumps that remain installed and ready to operate for extended periods.
In these situations, selecting the correct pump from the outset becomes especially important.
Don’t Base the Decision on Price Alone
Cost naturally plays an important part in deciding whether to hire or buy, but looking solely at the initial price can give a misleading picture.
If you purchase a pump, you’ll also need to consider servicing, maintenance, storage and repairs throughout its working life.
Hiring can transfer some of that responsibility to the supplier, depending on the hire arrangement. It can also give you access to specialist equipment without the significant upfront cost associated with purchasing it.
On the other hand, continually hiring equipment that you use throughout the year may eventually become more expensive than ownership.
The better question is therefore not simply “Which option costs less today?” but “Which option provides the best value over the period we’ll actually need the equipment?”
Getting the Pump Specification Right Matters Too
Whether you’re hiring or buying, selecting the right submersible pump is arguably more important than deciding how you’re going to acquire it. A pump needs to be matched to the application.
Factors such as required flow rate, head, discharge distance, liquid type, solids content, power availability and operating environment can all affect pump selection. Simply choosing a pump because it appears large enough or has worked on another project can result in poor performance, unnecessary energy consumption or reliability issues.
This is where technical support becomes particularly valuable.
At Pump Supplies, we work with customers to understand the application before recommending equipment. Our experience across pump hire, sales, servicing and engineered pumping solutions means we can consider the wider requirements of a project rather than simply supplying a piece of equipment.
What If Your Requirements Change?
This is another reason hiring can be attractive for project-based work. A project might begin with relatively straightforward dewatering requirements before conditions change and additional pumping capacity is required. Alternatively, the volume or type of water being handled could change as works progress.
Being able to adapt the equipment to the job can help keep projects moving without committing to purchasing multiple pumps for temporary requirements.
For businesses with ongoing needs, however, buying core equipment while using hire pumps for additional or specialist requirements can offer the best of both worlds.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a choice between exclusively hiring or exclusively buying.
So, Should You Hire or Buy a Submersible Pump?
As a general rule, hiring is often better suited to temporary, changing or project-specific requirements, while buying can make more sense for regular, predictable or permanent applications.
The important part is looking beyond the pump itself. How frequently will it operate? How long will you need it? Could site conditions change? Who will maintain it? Will you need additional equipment? What would downtime cost if something went wrong?
Answering those questions gives you a much clearer picture of which route represents better value.
With an extensive pump hire fleet alongside pumps available for purchase, servicing capabilities and in-house engineering expertise, Pump Supplies can help you assess your requirements and select an appropriate solution.
Whether that means hiring equipment for a short-term project, investing in a pump for a permanent application or developing a more complete pumping system, getting expert advice at the beginning can save considerable time, cost and inconvenience later.
Need help deciding whether pump hire or purchase is right for your application? Speak to the Pump Supplies team and we can help you find the most suitable solution.