Hiring vs Buying Bog Mats: What Makes More Sense for You?

Before we go knee-deep in mud (literally), let’s get something out of the way. Whether you should hire or buy bog mats isn’t a trick question, but it is a smart one to ask.

It comes down to one thing. Well, two actually: how long you need them, and how often you’ll be using them. Everything else? Pretty much noise.

The First Question We Always Ask

Every conversation we’ve had on this starts the same way: “How long do you need the mats for?”

Not exactly groundbreaking, but you’d be surprised how many folks haven’t thought it through. The answer changes everything. One week on a wind farm in Nowhereville? Hiring might be the way to go. But got multiple jobs in the pipeline? Then we’re into different territory.

Short-Term Job? Hiring is a No-Brainer

Let’s not overcomplicate it. If you’ve got a one-off project, say a three-week job on private land with no plans to reuse the mats anytime soon, then hiring makes total sense. You avoid the upfront cost, skip the storage hassle, and just get in, get out, and move on.

And yeah, we sell bog mats. So, if we’re saying hiring could be the right call, you know we’re being straight with you.

But When Does Buying Start to Pay Off?

Here’s where things start to shift.

With VERSADECK or BRUTE mats, the cost of buying is typically covered in just one to two months of use. That’s it. After that, it’s all savings. If you’ve got even two or three small jobs lined up in the next quarter, you’re probably better off owning.

SAMSON mats are a bit different. You’re looking at around 12 months of consistent use to break even, but if you’ve got heavy kit, bigger loads, or long-term civil work, SAMSON mats practically pay for themselves in a year.

Got Multiple Sites? You’re Already Ahead

Here’s the thing, if you can move your mats from one job to another, you’re getting way more mileage out of them. Imagine finishing up on Site A, then rolling straight into Site B without ringing up your supplier or waiting for delivery.

No wasted days. No extra hire charges. Just mats that work as hard as you do.

Hiring Isn’t Just About Money, It’s About Control

Let’s be honest. Hiring sounds simple… until it isn’t.

Sudden project delay? You’re paying to sit on mats. Mats arrive late? That’s a day of lost productivity. Need extra coverage last minute? Hope they’ve got stock.

Buying takes all that stress off the table. You control the schedule. You manage the movement. And if you’re the kind who likes to keep things moving, that freedom starts to feel pretty good.

So… What’s the Bottom Line?

If it’s a quick job with no repeats in sight, hiring’s just fine.

But if you’ve got a few more projects coming up, or if your crews work across sites where mats can be reused, buying makes a whole lot more sense.

And remember, VERSADECK and BRUTE make their money back in just weeks. SAMSON takes a bit longer, but it’s built for the long haul.

Still Unsure? Let’s Chat

We get it, every project’s different. That’s why we never push one-size-fits-all advice.

Tell us how long you need the mats for, what kind of work you’re doing, and where you’re heading next. We’ll help steer you in the right direction. No pressure. Just honest guidance from folks who’ve been in the bog (literally and figuratively).

Because when it comes to mats, it’s not just about cost, it’s about making the smart call that keeps your project moving forward.