Variable message signs are electronic signs that are a necessity for most road works to control traffic, keep road users safe, and keep traffic conditions optimal. They come in a variety of sizes and types and can be found in plentiful supply in most small plant dry hire suppliers in Australia. These days, most message boards are solar powered and are trailer mounted.
This means they can be easily towed into place, levelled using small feet and run without a generator or power supply. The most common VMS signs in our industry are the amber LED variants. You can find 5 colour or full colour LED signs, but these are usually deployed as business promotion tools, rather than commuter safety in and around roadworks and civil jobs (unless, of course, you're a civil project manager with a bit of flair).
On bigger jobs, particularly ones that impact road traffic throughout the duration of the construction, project managers will employ a traffic management specialist supplier. These suppliers will provide all the traffic management equipment and people required to divert and manage traffic around the job. But from time to time, users on iseekplant come to the platform looking for just variable message boards on short or long term hire for use around the site.
Below are the common types of variable message boards available for hire (from a range of suppliers on our site) and average hire rates across Australia that you can expect to pay for weekly hire of these boards.
Typical Trailer Mounted Variable Message Board Hire Rates
- Amber yellow variable message sign hire rates: Trailer mounted, single-sided: $275 – $350 per week
- 5 colour LED variable message board sign hire rates: Trailer mounted, single-sided: $550 – $650 per week
- Full colour electric variable message board sign hire rates: trailer or wall-mounted, single-sided: $950 – $1,100 per week
- LED electric variable message board sign hire rate: Trailer mounted, double-sided: $425 – $475 per week
Trailer mounted variable message sign boards are super handy to get on and off site because they hook up to a ute's tow bar and can be moved around the site for traffic control with ease. They come in a range of sizes, widths, and heights. However, the most common sizes are 200cm, 300cm and 400cm wide (400cm is about the widest for a trailer mount).
With a trailer-mounted VMS, you can also save yourself the cost of delivery or transport from the hire company if you go to their depot and pick them up. They are fairly durable, too. They usually have shatterproof perspex covers and a steel cage so you can lock the sign up at night. A trailer-mounted VMS will easily be the most low-maintenance piece of plant on your site.
Other variable message board hire rates
- Arrow board amber LED message board sign hire rate: Trailer mounted, single sided: $150 – $200 per week
- Fold up (tripod) 5 colour LED variable message board sign hire rate: Free standing, single sided: $250 – $300 per week
- Speed advisory boards amber LED message board sign hire rate: Trailer mounted, single sided: $400 – $450 per week
How to get the best Variable Message Board hire rates
Use iseekplant for your next VMS hire. Our platform is perfect for getting vital information and quotes for projects looking to hire variable message signs and other construction gear. Use our Get a Quote tool, and we will get you the best quote for your job, completely free of charge!
Learn more about what you should be paying from our comprehensive machine hire rates guide.