Important Information

Q: Do you offer help in choosing a catering trailer to suit my needs?

A: Yes. Cook, chill, regeneration, sous vide, traditional, bulk – you name it, we have designed trailers incorporating just about every type of food production system. Our experienced customer service team will take you step by step through the process of hiring a catering trailer and recommend the best kitchen to you.

Q: Do you offer surveys of my proposed site?

A: Yes. We offer free site surveys where we can discuss your project and your requirements. A site survey also ensures that we deliver a facility that is suited to your site and that there is suitable space for its delivery.

Q: Do your units need planning permission?

A: We would advise that you discuss your intentions with your local planning authority, however our catering trailers rarely require planning permission.

Q: Can I put my own catering equipment in a catering trailer?

A: Yes. We can install your own catering equipment inside one of our units but we would ask that you discuss the items with our customer service team to ensure that the unit has the correct services. Often our kitchens use a mix of client supplied and Temporary Kitchens supplied equipment.

Q: Do your trailers comply with health and safety regulations?

A: Our trailers are supplied with a wide range of health and safety features to ensure that we provide you with a safe and compliant catering environment. Ventilation is supplied in accordance with industry guidance DW172 and BS6173 while kitchens are supplied with a gas interlock. Floors in our kitchens comply with BS7976. All of our kitchens and catering equipment are tested for safe levels of carbon monoxide and dioxide before the hire process begins.

Q: Can you supply all electric kitchens?

A: Yes, we can supply all electric units. You have to bear in mind that cooking equipment often requires a lot of electricity so you need to ensure a suitable supply is available.

Q: Are your trailers gas safe?

A: All of our trailers are supplied with a current Gas Safe certificate.

Q: How do you offload a catering trailer?

A:  Our trailer units are towed to site and delivered by our installation team.

Q: Can the trailers be used on greenfield sites?

A: Yes. Our catering trailers are designed specifically for use on Greenfield sites. Water and waste can be run from internal or external tanks and electricity from a generator.

Q: Do I need to clean the catering trailer or catering equipment before collection?

A: YES: We ask that clients undertake a thorough clean of the unit or items of catering equipment prior to collection ensuring that it is returned in the same condition as when it was delivered. If you would prefer we can arrange for this clean to be carried out after return which will be invoiced separately.

Q: If I finish with my catering trailer early, do I pay for the full length of the hire?

A: All of our hire charges are based in part on the length of hire. We would ask for full payment as a rule, based on the minimum contract originally negotiated. Although in extenuating circumstances we can discuss alternative arrangements. Uniquely we will also guarantee you extension of hire availability if your project takes longer than expected. Ask for details.

Maintenance and Services

What to do if you require maintenance during your hire

Q: Who do I contact if my catering trailer or catering equipment breaks down?

A: Every unit from Catering Trailer Hire is covered by 24 hour, 365 days a year technical support service that is on hand to assist you should you have any problems with your kitchen or catering equipment on hire. Our support service covers everything from providing assistance for any operational issues you might have with equipment to organising an engineer to visit your site.

Q: Can you diagnose my fault over the phone?

A: To ensure that you are back up and running in as quick as time possible, we will try and diagnose and where possible fix your issue over the phone. Once we have diagnosed your issue, and if it cannot be fixed over the phone, we will organise for an engineer to visit your site.

Q: If I have a technical issue, who will fix it?

A: If a site visit is required, we employ our own technical support engineers, while also work with a team of specially selected subcontractors to ensure that we can deal with your problem in the quickest and most efficient way possible.

Q: Can I have a Catering Trailer Hire engineer on site for the length of my hire?

A: For large events in particular, we provide you with the option to have an engineer to remain on site for the duration of the hire.

Q: How quickly do you aim to fix on site breakdowns?

A: A lot of service problems can be fixed over the telephone. Where an engineer is required, a standard service callout response is usually made within 24 hours, while calls placed before 10.00am are normally attended on the same day.

Our engineers carry an extensive range of spare parts so that most problems can be corrected immediately. If the engineer does not carry the part, we will post the part from our Parts Management Centre to site so that on his return the engineer can rectify the problem.

Q: Do you offer preventative maintenance?

A: For longer term hires in particular, we will usually suggest a programme of preventative maintenance whereby one of our service engineers will visit your site at an agreed number of dates throughout the hire period. During this visit, we will undertake a kitchen walk around to assess the equipment. This helps to identify any issues there may be with the equipment before they develop into anything more serious. The preventative maintenance visit also gives an opportunity for members of your kitchen staff to discuss any operational issues they might have with the catering equipment.