Why Contact is Key When Hire Equipment Goes Wrong

Event Equipment Faults: Why Contact is Key Hire

Equipment faults happen during events. A single misplaced napkin causes little concern, but a failing 6-burner commercial oven disrupts the entire service. Our focus remains on getting your event back on track rather than assigning blame. Reporting issues immediately proves that contact is key hire, allowing our team to dispatch replacement items or technicians before your guests arrive.

This guide outlines practical steps to take after encountering a problem with your hired equipment. Following these procedures helps you resolve technical faults or transit damage without delays. We operate from a primary Birmingham depot and 11 regional hubs across England and Wales, giving us the logistical reach to correct issues before your event begins.

Inspect Your Hire Equipment Upon Arrival

Spotting an issue early gives us the maximum time to fix it. We advise conducting a visual check of all delivered items before signing the delivery note. This initial inspection catches transit damage or missing components long before they impact your schedule.

Take five minutes to confirm all items match your order and function correctly. Spotting a cracked plate or a missing 16-amp cable requires immediate action. Ask the delivery driver to call the Expo Hire office straight away. We schedule deliveries the day before your event to create a 24-hour buffer for addressing unforeseen issues. Our live vehicle tracking and SMS ETA notifications help you plan your day around this arrival time, so you know exactly when the driver will pull up.

Unreported problems become harder to fix as the clock ticks down. Waiting until after your event to report a fault removes our ability to replace the item. Unreported breakages also create uncertainty regarding when the damage occurred. As the hirer, your responsibility involves checking all equipment upon receipt and notifying us of any discrepancies. We include a free minor damage waiver on every order, covering accidental scratches on table hire items and small breakages on glassware, but we still need to know about them.

You might not always be present to receive the delivery. Deliveries of furniture hire directly to an exhibition stand often happen before your team arrives. Inspect the equipment the moment you gain access to the venue and contact us with any concerns.

Resist the Urge to Self-Repair

A malfunctioning appliance might tempt you to attempt a quick fix. Replacing a blown 13-amp fuse in a plug or pressing a thermal reset button remains acceptable. We strongly advise against opening up equipment casings to diagnose internal faults.

High-value items like 10-grid combi ovens, 600-litre double-door refrigerators, and 96-plate heated banqueting carts require specialised knowledge. Attempting repairs without proper training risks further damage and potential safety hazards. Unauthorised tampering voids warranties and incurs additional repair costs. We do not require a security deposit on your orders, but severe damage caused by botched repairs will result in replacement charges.

A simple action like pressing a reset switch might resolve the fault, and our team will guide you through this process over the phone. For complex issues, Expo Hire dispatches a replacement item from our nearest regional depot or sends a qualified repair technician directly to your venue.

Consult Equipment Manuals for Correct Operation

Incorrect usage causes a significant percentage of equipment issues. Large appliances from our catering equipment hire range require specific startup sequences and operating temperatures. A hot cupboard needs 45 minutes to reach its 85°C operating temperature, and loading it with cold food will cause the internal temperature to plummet.

We supply operating manuals to help you operate our equipment safely. Product pages on our website feature downloadable PDF guides for immediate access. Reading the manual before switching on the appliance prevents most common faults. Call our warehouse team if you have questions about operating specific items. They possess extensive knowledge of our commercial-grade stock and offer expert advice.

Our Send It Back Dirty service applies to all crockery, cutlery, and glassware. You pack the items back into their designated crates unwashed, and we handle the cleaning at our Birmingham depot. This service saves you hours of labour, but you must still pack the items carefully to avoid transit breakages on the return journey.

The Importance of Clear Communication

Clear communication forms the foundation of resolving hire period issues. Following these steps helps Expo Hire maintain high standards and keeps your event running on schedule. Our goal involves supplying commercial-grade equipment, and your cooperation in reporting problems promptly proves vital. Remember that contact is key hire, and keeping us informed allows us to support your event from delivery to collection.

All orders process directly through our website without the need for a phone call. Prices and live stock levels display on every product page, allowing you to plan your budget with accuracy. We calculate delivery from £40 ex-VAT based on road distance from the nearest depot. Select your hire dates online to check availability and secure your equipment.