UK · Updated 2026 · How-to
Hiab Delivery of Surplus Plasterboard in Edinburgh: 2026 Pricing & How-To
Kerbside pallet delivery isn't practical for large loads of plasterboard on many Edinburgh sites. A hiab (lorry-mounted crane) lifts pallets over walls, into gardens and onto scaffolds. Here's how to book one in Scotland without paying for hire you don't need.
When to book a hiab in Edinburgh
- 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
Edinburgh hiab pricing 2026
Central Belt next-day pallet £60–£95
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 Edinburgh
Most Edinburgh sellers hold stock inside EH1, EH3 and EH10 and offer Central Belt next-day pallet £60–£95. For loads over a tonne of plasterboard, a hiab drop is usually more economical than multiple van runs.
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.
+How do I transport plasterboard?
Flat on a pallet, kept dry. A Transit fits ~15 sheets flat.