Pile driver hire vs purchase: costs and breakeven
The choice between hiring and buying a pile driver depends on annual use days and the actual daily cost.
The comparison includes transport, availability, maintenance, residual value, tax treatment and an EPC scenario with 90 use days per year.
Pile driver hire vs purchase: direct costs
The comparison covers a tracked self-propelled pile driver. Costs are indicative. For a personalised calculation, open the configurator and request a simulation for your volumes.
| Factor | Hire | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Daily cost | From €1,000/day with operator | Amortised over time |
| Transport | €500-1,500 per leg, your cost | Once only |
| Availability | Limited in peak periods | Always ready |
| Maintenance | Not guaranteed | Scheduled and certified |
| Residual value | Zero | Significant after 5 years |
| Tax deductibility | Hire charge only | Depreciation and 180% hyper-depreciation |
| Additional revenue | No | Subcontracting possible |
| Quality control | Depends on hire provider | Full |
Additional hire costs
Hire can add the following costs to the daily rate:
- return transport: €500-1,500 per leg for every site;
- additional insurance required by the hire provider;
- weather stoppages, with payment continuing if the machine cannot be returned;
- limited availability from April to October during the solar peak season;
- no guarantee on machine quality and maintenance;
- penalties for damage and wear.
With these items, effective daily cost can reach €1,500-2,000, or 50-100% above the base rate.
Costs and benefits of owning a TURCHI machine
Ownership adds operational control and residual value to the investment.
| What you get | Detail |
|---|---|
| After-sales support | 15-minute response, spare parts in 48 hours in Europe |
| Guaranteed uptime | Over 98%, the site does not stop |
| Made in Italy | Produced in Pilastro (PR), ISO 9001 certified quality |
| Industry 4.0 kit | Included for access to 2026 hyper-depreciation |
| Sworn appraisal | Provided by TURCHI for the tax procedure |
| Residual value | High after 5+ years with good maintenance |
| Online configurator | Hammer, mast, GPS and accessories for the site |
Breakeven between hire and purchase
Breakeven compares annual ownership cost with annual hire cost:
| Item | Formula |
|---|---|
| Annual purchase cost | (Price / Depreciation years) + Annual running cost - (Residual value / Years) |
| Annual hire cost | Effective daily cost × Days of use |
| Breakeven | When the two costs are equal |
With indicative market values, breakeven falls between 40 and 60 days per year.
At about €1,000 per effective day, hire costs €30,000 at 30 days per year, €60,000 at 60 days and €90,000 at 90 days. Purchase remains about €40,000 per year, or about €200,000 over 5 years. Below about 40 days hire is cheaper, above the threshold purchase is cheaper.
Example with 80 days per year at €1,200 per effective day:
| Item | Hire | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 cost | €96,000 | Initial investment |
| Year 2 cost | €96,000 | Running costs only |
| Year 3 cost | €96,000 | Running costs only |
| 3-year total | €288,000 | Much lower |
| Residual value | €0 | Significant |
Revenue and operating benefits of ownership
An owned machine lets you offer pile-driving services to customers. Many solar EPCs and installers that bought a TURCHI pile driver added subcontracting for colleagues without a machine.
Benefits include:
- no delay caused by hire provider unavailability;
- access to last-minute, high-margin sites;
- full control over work quality;
- better site planning;
- additional subcontracting revenue.
2026 hyper-depreciation with a 180% uplift can reduce the effective purchase cost by about 40%.
When hire is suitable
| Situation | Hire | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 days/year | Cost-effective | Not justified |
| 30-60 days/year | To assess | To assess |
| Over 60 days/year | Too expensive | Clearly cost-effective |
| Trial before purchase | Useful | Not applicable |
| One-off remote site | Practical | Expensive transport |
For regular use, purchase is almost always the better choice.
Scenario: solar EPC with 90 days per year
An EPC specialising in 1-5 MW solar plants hires a machine at €1,200/day for 90 days per year:
| Item | Annual hire | With TURCHI 300F |
|---|---|---|
| Operating cost | ~€108,000 | Much lower |
| Availability | Uncertain in peak season | Always guaranteed |
| Year-end value | €0 | Asset on balance sheet |
| Subcontracting possible | No | Yes, additional invoicing |
| 180% hyper-depreciation | Not applicable | Yes, tax saving over €40,000 |
To compare this scenario with your volumes, configure the TURCHI 300F for solar and use the 7-step configurator.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Browse the full FAQ list. Reach out via a support request or email us at [email protected].
Hire with an operator costs indicatively from €1,000/day, depending on the area and machine. Effective costs, including transport and unexpected expenses, can be significantly higher.
Typical breakeven is estimated at 40-60 days of use per year. Above this threshold, purchase is almost always more cost-effective than hire.
Yes, the pile driver is a depreciable capital good under applicable coefficients. Consult your accountant about current incentives.
