News, Tips & Advice

From our many years of experience supporting trades across the UK with premium plant and access hire solutions, we’ve seen how much of a difference a well-organised start makes.

Working at height is something most people encounter at some point, whether it’s part of your job or you’re just getting some DIY tasks done at home. Ladders are usually the first thing people reach for, and in a lot of cases, they’re exactly what’s needed.

Spring is when plans for the garden finally start to take shape again. We’ve made it through winter, the nice weather is on the way back, and it’s the first real chance to get outside, take a proper look, and see what needs sorting.

After a long winter, it’s not uncommon for fence panels to have seen better days. Between the weather, damp conditions, and general wear, things can start to shift, loosen, or look a bit worse for wear by the time spring comes around.

If you work in construction, roofing, rendering, or refurbishment, chances are scaffolding is part of your day-to-day. Whether it’s a domestic extension, a re-roof, external repairs, or a larger commercial project, working at height is simply part of the job.

Working at height can be tricky, to say the least. Whether you’re fixing gutters at home or tackling external maintenance on a commercial site, the right equipment makes the difference between a slow, stressful job and one that’s safe, manageable, and efficient.

Smiths Hire is launching tool and plant hire inside Howarth Timber branches in Wakefield and Leeds from March 2026.

Early Spring is the ideal time to start getting your garden back into shape. Here are five simple jobs to help you prepare for the months ahead!

Thinking about pressure washing your garden, decking, or paths? Here’s how they work, why damage happens, and what to think about before you start.

Working through wet weather or excess moisture on site? This guide explains how dehumidifiers work and how to choose the right one to keep your project moving.

Mini digger hire made straightforward. Who can hire, licence requirements, and what to consider before using a mini digger on domestic projects.

Our brand-new Smiths Hire depot in Wigan is now open, giving local trade and construction customers faster access to tool hire, plant hire and powered access equipment.

See how changing tool hire and access hire equipment trends are shaping construction projects in 2026, and why planning hire earlier is becoming the norm.

Getting ready for spring workloads? Lock in your tool hire equipment early with our team at Smiths Hire and keep projects moving as demand increases.

Thinking about starting a new project in 2026? Here’s our essential hire checklist, covering our most popular equipment and everything you need to get started!

How does plant hire support infrastructure and utility projects through winter? Smiths Hire explains what makes the difference.

Here’s how to use the quiet time between Xmas and New Year to tackle a few quick DIY jobs to help your home stay warmer and reduce energy bills in 2026!

Support your local community this Christmas by taking on meaningful outdoor projects with help from our gardening tool hire services at Smiths Hire.

From compact loaders to telehandlers and warm welfare units, here’s the winter-ready equipment that keeps your site moving safely through snow and ice.

Preparing retail spaces for the festive season? Make Christmas installations safer and easier with the right powered-access equipment from Smiths Hire.

From mini diggers to compaction equipment, here’s the essential plant hire options to help get groundwork projects finished before winter frost arrives.

Here is the must-have hire equipment that prepares your site for icy weather, prevents downtime, and keeps work moving in freezing conditions.

Get your home ready for Christmas with the right tools for the job. From ladders to lighting equipment, we have everything you need to decorate safely this festive season.

When cold weather and early sunsets threaten productivity, heating and lighting hire can keep your site safe, efficient, and on schedule, no matter the forecast.

When daylight’s short and the ground’s slick, working at height gets tricky. Here’s how to stay safe, steady and alert when using powered access equipment in Winter.

From removing dead limbs to hiring the right tools and access equipment, here’s how to get your garden ready for the season ahead.

We’ve got the tools and equipment you need to make Halloween event setups simple, safe and stress-free – from lighting towers to power and access hire.

As the leaves start to fall, it’s time to tackle outdoor clean-up! From handheld blowers to road sweepers, here are the must-hire tools from Smiths Hire.

Working at height? Here’s how access hire equipment like cherry pickers and scissor lifts can make gutter cleaning and roof work safer and easier.

Here’s why Autumn is the perfect season for landscaping projects, and how the right plant hire equipment can help you get more done before winter.

Now summer’s over, it’s time to get your home ready for Autumn and Winter. From draughts to gutters, here’s how to stay warm, safe and cosy!

Here’s 5 scaffolding tips for safe exterior repairs this Autumn so you can choose, set up, and use your towers safely in any weather conditions.

We had the pleasure of being match day sponsor at Blackpool FC for the fixture against Barnsley, it was a great day had by all!

We got the low-down from Adrian Heywood from our Central Hire customer team and he revealed his thoughts on the Smiths way of Customer Service Excellence…

From protecting plants to giving your garden beds a boost, here are five last minute garden jobs to get stuck into before Autumn fully arrives.

We were thrilled to be a part of the Common Walls International Mural Festival in Rochdale last week, some of the world’s best artists descended on the town turning it into a huge urban at gallery!

From slips on wet leaves to shorter daylight hours and unpredictable weather, here’s how to keep your outdoor team safe and productive this autumn!

Keeping floors clean in a busy commercial space isn’t always straightforward. High foot traffic, spills, and everyday wear and tear can quickly make even the most well-maintained flooring look worn out.

Learn how to remove floor tiles safely and efficiently with our guide and find the right floor tile strippers to hire from Smiths Hire.

Here’s how to decide whether powered or non-powered access equipment is best for your job with help from our tool hire experts at Smiths Hire.

Get on top of garden waste with these 5 simple tips. From leaves and branches to soil and rubble, find out how to get the job done fast!

Give your home a summer makeover with these simple tips. From garden tidy-ups to deep cleaning, Smiths Hire has the tools to help you get it done.

Working at height this summer? These 5 essential scissor lift safety tips will help you stay cool, stay safe, and get the job done.

Spider lifts make light work of awkward access. From tree surgery to roof repairs, we’re covering six jobs where spider lift hire is the smart, reliable choice.

Scaffold towers or boom hire? We’re breaking down which access equipment works best for your project, site conditions and deadlines.

When the sun’s out and the ground’s dry, there’s no better time to get stuck into those outdoor jobs you’ve been meaning to tackle all year.

Looking to keep your lawn lush this summer? Here are five essential lawn care tips for summer, plus the tools you’ll need to get the job done right.

Hosting a summer festival or public event? We’re sharing expert tips to help you plan and manage your portable toilet hire so your guests stay comfortable!