Wet Hire Terms | Heron Hire

Wet hire means the owner turns up with the machine and operates it for you, charged by the hour. These terms apply to every wet hire booked through Heron Hire, on top of our Terms of Service. Larger wet hires also get a Wet Hire Agreement to e-sign, which says the same things in more formal words.

1. Who does what

The operator (the listing owner or someone who works for them) brings the equipment to your site, operates it, and takes it away again. The machine stays in their control the whole time. You, the hirer, tell them what work you want done and give them a safe site to do it on. You don't operate the machine.

2. Hours and the minimum

You book a number of hours of operated work. Some operators set a minimum per booking; if you book fewer hours than that, you're charged the minimum. Time on site counts from the machine being ready to work until you release it. If the job runs long, request extra hours through Heron Hire at the same hourly rate — the operator can stop once the booked hours are used if nothing extra has been agreed.

3. Float fee

If the listing shows a float fee, it covers getting the machine to your site and back once. Heron Hire doesn't take commission on it. A second float, for example if you move the job to another site, costs the same fee again.

4. The operator promises

They hold every licence, ticket and competency the law requires to operate the machine for other people, including any high-risk work licence that applies.
They hold current public liability insurance that covers operated work.
The machine is safe, maintained and compliant with the manufacturer's requirements and work health and safety law.
They'll do the work with reasonable care and skill.

Operators confirm the first two points when they offer wet hire on Heron Hire. Ask to see the paperwork before work starts if you want to — a good operator won't mind.

5. You promise

Safe, legal access to the site for the machine and the operator.
To tell the operator about underground and overhead services, soft ground, asbestos, contamination and any other hazard you know about or should know about. If the job involves digging, get the free Dial Before You Dig information first.
To hold any permit, approval or neighbour consent the work needs.
To have someone with authority on site, or contactable, to give directions.
To keep people, animals and vehicles clear of the working area.

The operator can refuse or stop work, without owing you anything, if the site or what they're asked to do is unsafe or unlawful.

6. Who decides

You decide what gets done. The operator decides how the machine is run to do it safely, and can say no to anything that's unsafe, would damage the machine, or is beyond what it can properly do. Work done on your instructions is at your risk as to the result — including hitting a service or structure you didn't tell them about.

7. Damage

The operator is responsible for the machine, except where damage is caused by your negligence, a hazard you didn't disclose, or a breach of these terms — then you cover the reasonable repair cost and lost hire. You're responsible for damage to your site, services or someone else's property that comes from incomplete or wrong information you gave, or from following your directions.

8. Breakdowns and weather

If the machine breaks down, the clock stops. The operator will fix it, swap it, or reschedule as soon as they can, and any booked hours that can't be worked are refunded through Heron Hire. If weather or ground conditions make the work unsafe, either of you can postpone to an agreed date without penalty. A float that's already happened isn't refunded.

9. Cancelling

The cancellation policy shown on your booking applies. If you cancel after the machine has already been floated to site, the float fee is treated as earned.

10. Deposit

If the listing takes a deposit, Heron Hire holds it and releases it after the job unless the operator makes a claim under section 7 within 7 days, with evidence, through Heron Hire.

11. Insurance and responsibility

The operator insures the machine and holds public liability cover for operated work. Each of you is responsible to the other for your own negligence or breach of these terms. Neither of you is liable to the other for indirect losses such as lost profit or delay costs. Nothing here removes your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

12. The operator is their own business

The operator is an independent contractor, not your employee and not Heron Hire's. They look after their own tax, super and workers' compensation.

13. Finishing up

The job is done when the hours have been worked (or you've released the machine early) and it has left the site. If you disagree about the hours or the work, raise it through Heron Hire within 7 days.

14. Heron Hire's role

Heron Hire (Rogaland Pty Ltd) runs the marketplace, takes the payment and holds the deposit. We don't supply the machine or the operator and we're not a party to the hire. The deal is between you and the operator. Our Terms of Service cover the rest, including disputes.

15. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.

16. Questions

Not sure about something? Contact us.