Are you looking for a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) to aid a commercial fit out or shopfitting project?
A commercial fit out – whether it’s a new build, an office refurbishment or a shop fit out– demands speciality work-at-height access platforms which are both practical, lightweight and versatile enough to meet the requirements of a broad range of tradespeople. That means reliable, quality MEWPs, delivered and collected on schedule, are a must.
In this guide, we explain why a MEWP is essential for commercial fit-out projects and what you should consider before hiring one.
Why MEWPs are Essential for Commercial Fit Out Projects
When it comes to commercial fit out projects, you are bound to need a MEWP, whether that’s a personnel lift, scissor lift or cherry picker, in order to work at a height safely. Access platforms are designed to provide a safe working environment for tasks carried out at height, and they are considered to be the safest work equipment to help prevent a fall.
Access platforms are specifically designed to lift people to a position where they can carry out their work from the platform safely, whilst limiting the chances of falls.
When selecting a specific MEWP for a commercial fit out job, it is important to understand the risks associated so you can put the right control measures in place to minimise the chance of an accident occurring. Planning is crucial to safe operation when selecting MEWPs for your commercial fit out jobs.
Through the right service, people and expertise, the team at Horizon Platforms ensure you have the right access platform for your needs, no matter where or when your job is.
Top Tips When Hiring a MEWP For Commercial Fit Out
If you are performing a job at height for a commercial fit out project, chances are you will be looking to hire a MEWP to complete the job. The best option is to never pick the first cherry picker or scissor lift you see – you will want to carefully consider what equipment is most suitable.
Don’t worry, the following takes you through the considerations. Alternatively, you can pick up the phone to our team or use our platform selection tool.
What size MEWP do you need?
Your access platform requirements will of course change depending on whether you’re working on an office refurbishment or a large commercial fit out in a supermarket.
A small restaurant fit out may require a personnel lift or push around so you can move around restricted, tight areas, whereas a larger, multi-person access platform with greater working height will be needed for larger jobs, such as installing lighting high up in a superstore.
Always make sure to account for the width of the narrowest area you will be working in, as well as ceiling height.
What surface are you working on?
What type of surface are you working on – finished or unfinished? When considering an access platform for commercial fit outs, you need to assess the type of surface you’re going to work on. For example, if you’re working on a second floor of a restaurant or a tiled supermarket floor you’ll need to consider the weight of the machine and the people and materials in the basket. Otherwise, if the platform is too heavy, there could be significant damage caused.
What tyres do you need?
Does your commercial fit out site require non-marking tyres? Many fit out projects will require you to have non-marking tyres or wheel covers to prevent any damage occurring to the flooring.
Many of the MEWPs Horizon Platforms hires out for commercial fit out and shopfitting have non-marking tyres. Which makes them ideal for indoor use, particularly on newly installed flooring or customer facing flooring. You can also invest in wheel covers for further protection to ensure no marks or damage is made whilst on your commercial fit out job.
What levels do you need your MEWP to reach?
When looking to hire a MEWP for a commercial fit out project, you will need to consider the different levels you’ll need to reach. From maintenance work just above ground level to installing electrics at dangerous heights, these factors will determine the type of MEWP you need for the job.
Our range offers low to high-level reach, so platforms can be used by partitioning contractors installing stud walls, as well as ventilation and cabling contractors working at height.
How much space will you need on your MEWP?
Do you have multiple people working on the same project? Maybe you need various MEWPs in order to complete the job on time?
When working on a commercial fit out job, you may require an access platform that can hold multiple people at one time, in order to complete a task. On the other hand, you may only require a small MEWP for one person to carry out small maintenance and repair tasks in tight spaces. These are considerations people need to take into account when choosing a MEWP for a commercial fit out project.
You may also need lots of tools and equipment on your MEWP with you, contributing to how much platform space you will need.
Further questions to ask when hiring a MEWP
These questions should be asked no matter the job, whether that’s racking installations, construction, or, of course, commercial fit outs.
- How long do you need the equipment for?
- Have you researched the size and type of equipment you need?
- Are you working indoors or outdoors?
- Do you have the right licence to hire an access platform?
- Have you carried out a full safety assessment?
For more information on choosing your MEWP, read our guide on what to ask before hiring an access platform.
How to Keep People Safe During Commercial Fit Out Projects
When working at height, the risks are naturally greater and employers are obliged to ensure their employees achieve a level of training which enables them to operate access platforms safely.
Along with providing customers with well maintained MEWPs nationwide, we also offer a range of IPAF training to ensure our MEWPs are being used correctly.
Ensuring people work safely at height is a central part of what we do, and these courses are the best way for operators and manager know the best practices for using MEWPs during work-at-height projects. Looking to know more about MEWP training? Read our guide to access platform training.
Maintaining a MEWP for Commercial Fit Out
Another key aspect of MEWP safety in your commercial fit out project is checking your powered access platform each day before use. This contributes to avoiding accidents and breakdowns that would injure people or delay the completion of your fit out project.
Every Horizon platform is checked three times before it is sent to you, with any necessary repairs, refurbishments and LOLERs completed before you hire the lifter. So you can trust that every platform you hire will arrive in excellent condition.
We Offer MEWPs Suitable for Commercial Fit Out Environments
Available at short notice, next day or even same-day delivery (4 hours when hiring core fleet), we have a wide fleet of MEWPs suitable for your commercial fit out projects.
Our experts can help you find a machine perfect for your project and arrange delivery for a convenient time for you. Our hire specialists have extensive experience and knowledge in hiring lifts to shopfitters and specialist fit out contractors working on retail, office and commercial fit out projects.
Get Same Day Delivery for Your Commercial Fit Out Project
We pride ourselves on offering a service that exceeds customer expectations and understand your requirements can change, sometimes on a daily basis. That’s why we offer next-day and even same-day delivery for our access platforms.
Simply pick up the phone or email, tell us what you need or ask for advice and we will deliver your MEWP to the site. Prefer to work online? Use HireHub, our free to use customer portal that allows you to hire, off-hire, extend contracts and even track spend and our performance in a few clicks.
If you’re not sure which MEWP is right for your commercial fit out project, we can talk you through the options; all you need to do is give us a few basic details:
- Tell us about the scale of the job: is it a small office refurbishment or a large commercial fit out project?
- Does your project management plan mean you have a designated sequence of jobs to be carried out consecutively or will individual contractors and trades be working side by side?
- What type of indoor terrain are you working on – finished or unfinished?
Once we’ve got a feel for your requirements, we’ll suggest the ideal commercial fit out platform for you. To discuss the best MEWP to hire for your project, talk to our team today.