Hiring vs. Owning Injection Equipment:
What’s best for contractors?

In today’s construction and tunnelling industries, contractors are under increasing pressure to deliver projects efficiently, cost-effectively, and with minimal downtime. Injection technology plays a vital role in structural repair, water ingress prevention, ground stabilisation, and asset rehabilitation. But when it comes to accessing specialised injection equipment, contractors often face a key decision: should we hire or purchase? 

At DESOI Australia, we offer Australia’s largest range of injection equipment for hire, and to purchase. We see both approaches play out across the industry. The right choice ultimately depends on your project needs, budget, and long-term business strategy. 
 

Hiring Injection Equipment

Hiring is often the preferred option for contractors who:

• Work on short-term or specialised projects where injection equipment is only needed occasionally. 
• Want to minimise upfront capital investment and free up cash flow. 
• Value flexibility: equipment can be scaled up or down depending on project demand. 
• Benefit from technical support and servicing included in hire agreements, reducing the risk of breakdowns and delays. 
• Need access to the latest technology without ongoing upgrade costs. 

Example: A contractor managing a one-off tunnel shut down for maintenance, may find it more cost-effective to hire high-performance pumps and packers for the duration of the project, with maintenance handled by the supplier. 
 

Owning Injection Equipment:

Owning becomes appealing for contractors who: 

• Regularly use injection systems across multiple projects. 
• See equipment as a long-term investment that can reduce hire costs over time. 
• Prefer immediate access to equipment on hand, ultimately avoiding potential delays caused by shipping or transport logistics.  
• Pump can be charged directly to the project, essentially paying for itself over time through project charges. 
• Cost is typically recouped within months or years, depending on workload. 
• Want to train teams to become highly skilled in operating and maintaining their own equipment. 
• Have ongoing maintenance and service capacity in-house or through supplier partnerships. 

Example: A civil contractor specialising in concrete repair and waterproofing may benefit from owning equipment, as it provides full control and cost efficiencies over repeated use. 
 

Weighing the Decision: 

When you are deciding between hiring and owning, consider these factors:

• Frequency of use: will the equipment be used once or across various works?
• Project Pipeline: Are future projects likely to need injection solutions?
• Cash Flow vs Capital Investment: Is preserving capital more important than long-term cost savings?
• Support and Maintenance: Do you have the resources to service equipment, or do you rely on supplier support?
• Technology Upgrades: Is staying at the cutting edge critical for your competitive edge?
   

A Balanced Approach:

For many contractors, a hybrid strategy works best: hiring specialised equipment for unique projects while owning core tools for regular use. This approach combines flexibility with long-term value.

At DESOI Australia, we support contractors with both options – whether its short-term equipment hire with full technical support, or long-term ownership with training and servicing. By aligning equipment access with your business strategy, you can ensure the right balance of cost, efficiency, and performance. 
 

Conclusion:

There’s no one-size fits all approach when it comes to injection equipment. By carefully weighing your project requirements, financial considerations, and long-term goals, contractors can choose the path that delivers the best outcomes for them.

At DESOI Australia, we are here to guide and support contractors in making the right decision – whether hiring or owing, the key is having access to local, reliable equipment and expert knowledge when it matters most.