Should You Buy a Concrete Pump for Your Small Business?

By PumpX Team · 17 October 2026

A concrete pump is an exciting piece of kit, and many small business owners, particularly builders and concreters, think about buying one. Whether you should depends on one thing: will the pump earn or save more than it costs? This post gives you a framework to answer that honestly.

Start with the simple question: hire or buy?

Hiring means paying a pumping company per job. Buying means paying fixed costs whether the pump works or not. Compare both on a yearly basis.

Cost of hiring

Add up what you spent on pump hire last year. If you do not know, track it for a few months. Remember to include the cost of waiting around for a hire pump that is late.

Cost of owning

If your annual hire spend is well below your annual ownership cost, hiring wins. Use the rate calculator to see what a commercial pump needs to earn per hour.

Who can justify buying

Buying tends to make sense when:

• You pour frequently and hire cost is significant.
• You can also hire your pump out to others to fill idle days.
• You have, or can train, a competent operator.
• You have cash flow to survive a breakdown.
• Reliability and timing matter enough to control the pump yourself.

Buying often does not make sense when:

• Pours are occasional or seasonal.
• Nobody on the team has pumping experience.
• You are buying purely because the machine looks like a bargain.
• You would struggle to cover repairs.

Can you actually buy one?

Practically, yes: pumps are sold to businesses and individuals, and you can browse pumps for sale to see what is on offer. But "can I?" involves more than money.

• Training and licences: operating a pump, especially a truck-mounted boom, may require specific licences or competencies depending on your region. Check with your local work health and safety regulator.
• Insurance: insurers want to know your experience. Premiums reflect risk.
• Finance: lenders look at your business history and the asset.
• Space and transport: you need somewhere to park and maintain it.

The risk side

Pumping is high-risk work. Booms contacting power lines, unstable outriggers, and pressurised-line failures cause serious injuries. If you own the pump, you carry the legal responsibility for safe operation. Build safety training and inspections into your budget from day one.

Alternatives to buying

1. Regular hire with a preferred supplier: negotiate rates for repeat work.
2. Subcontract the pumping: let a specialist handle it and focus on your core trade.
3. Buy a small, cheap line pump: lower commitment than a boom, but still needs training.
4. Partner with an operator: a joint arrangement where one provides the pump and the other the work.

Search the concrete pumping directory to find operators near you and compare their rates.

A quick test before you commit

Answer these:

1. How many hours per month could I realistically pump?
2. What am I paying for pump hire per hour today?
3. Do I have someone competent to run it?
4. Could the business survive a month with the pump broken?
5. What is my plan to sell it if things change?

If you answer confidently, ownership may suit you. If you hesitate, hire.

Key takeaways

• Compare annual hire spend with the full annual cost of ownership.
• Buying makes sense with frequent use or by renting the pump out.
• Training, licensing and insurance are as important as price.
• Hiring is usually cheaper and safer for occasional pours.
• Always have a cash buffer for repairs and downtime.

Whether you hire or buy, PumpX helps you find the right pump and the right operator.

Original question on Reddit: r/smallbusiness: I want this equipment (concrete pump), should / can I buy it?