UK · Updated 2026 · How-to
Hiab Delivery of Reclaimed Granite Setts in Birmingham: 2026 Pricing & How-To
Kerbside pallet delivery isn't practical for large loads of granite setts on many Birmingham sites. A hiab (lorry-mounted crane) lifts pallets over walls, into gardens and onto scaffolds. Here's how to book one in West Midlands without paying for hire you don't need.
When to book a hiab in Birmingham
- Site with no forklift and no easy kerbside
- Load needs lifting over a wall or fence
- Pallets going onto scaffold or a first-floor slab
- Loads over 1.5 tonnes to a rural or restricted site
Birmingham hiab pricing 2026
Palletways next-day £42–£65
Access checklist before booking
- Reach required (measure to drop point in metres)
- Vehicle access (7.5t or 18t)
- Overhead cables and tree branches
- Ground bearing capacity for outriggers
Collection and delivery inside Birmingham
Most Birmingham sellers hold stock inside B15, B18 and B27 and offer Palletways next-day £42–£65. For loads over a tonne of granite setts, a hiab drop is usually more economical than multiple van runs.
Embodied carbon: Reclaimed Granite Setts in Birmingham vs new
Choosing surplus or reclaimed granite setts in Birmingham avoids the A1–A3 manufacturing emissions of newly produced stock. On a typical Birmingham project this equates to roughly 5–10 kgCO₂e per m² — material evidence under Part Z, RICS WLCA and BREEAM Mat 06.
West Midlands local authorities increasingly request whole-life carbon evidence on planning submissions above 1,000 m². Keeping the yard invoice, batch photos and a provenance note against every granite setts purchase inside B15, B18 and B27 builds an audit trail that stands up to WLCA review.
- A1–A3 avoided: ~5–10 kgCO₂e per m²
- A4 (transport): actual mileage from the Birmingham yard to site
- A5 (installation): identical to new — labour and fixings unchanged
- Circularity indicator: 1.0 for reclaimed, 0.7–0.9 for surplus new
Expert tips from West Midlands trades
- Buy the whole pallet even if you only need 80% — you'll offload the rest on SurplusBuilder inside 14 days at 60–80% of what you paid.
- Book a Friday collection slot: Birmingham yards are quieter and forklift drivers have time, so you avoid the B15, B18 and B27 weekday delivery crush.
- Ask for the yard's "just arrived" list — the best granite setts moves before it hits public listings.
- Photograph everything on the vehicle before you leave — protects both parties if a defect surfaces on unloading.
VAT, warranty and paperwork in Birmingham
Reclaimed materials from private sellers are typically zero-rated for VAT. Surplus stock from VAT-registered West Midlands merchants carries standard 20% VAT — confirm before agreeing a price. Factory-fresh surplus retains its original manufacturer warranty when unregistered and stored correctly; keep the batch label and any BBA certificate alongside the invoice.
- Get a VAT invoice for surplus buys over £250 — it's deductible for trade
- Retain BBA / BS EN test certificates with the delivery note
- Photograph batch numbers on granite setts packaging for retrofit and Part L evidence
- Log the Birmingham postcode of the source yard against the project record
Frequently asked questions
+Do I need a banksman for a hiab drop?
Usually not — the driver operates the crane. On complex or public-highway sites, yes.
+How far can a hiab reach?
Standard hiabs reach 8–14m. Long-reach cranes reach 20m+ and cost 30–50% more.
+Can granite setts take vehicles?
Yes — full carriageway-rated at 200mm depth or 100mm on a bound base.
+Is surplus granite setts covered by manufacturer warranty in Birmingham?
Yes for factory-fresh over-orders and cancelled-order stock. The warranty runs from date of manufacture (batch label) rather than date of purchase — check the batch date before committing on large West Midlands orders.
+Can I count reclaimed granite setts towards BREEAM Mat 06?
Yes — reclaimed materials attract full circularity credits under BREEAM Mat 06 and RICS WLCA. Keep provenance photos, yard invoice and transport mileage from Birmingham as evidence.
+What insurance sits behind a SurplusBuilder deal in West Midlands?
Verified sellers carry public liability and product-liability cover. Pallet-network deliveries insure to £1,300/pallet by default; declare higher values for premium granite setts loads.