Every week, there are builders across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane that make the same mistake. They’re standing in a hardware store aisle, looking at a cheap poly tarp, doing the maths in their head and thinking – this’ll do.
It won’t.
After 35 years in the tarp hire business, I’ve seen it play out many times. The poly tarp gets bought, it gets installed, and within a week or two it’s torn, leaking or degraded from UV exposure that it’s useless. Then it’s back to the hardware store, again.
Here’s the thing – hiring a heavy duty PVC tarp is almost always the cheaper, smarter and more environmentally responsible choice. Let me show you the numbers.
The Real Cost Comparison – The Numbers That Might Surprise You
Let’s use one of the most common sizes on a residential construction site – a 6m x 9m tarp.
| Hardware Store Poly Tarp | Flynn Tarps PVC Hire | |
| Size | 6m x 9m | 6m x 9m |
| Cost | $228.10 upfront | $69.86 per week |
| Lifespan on site | 1–3 weeks | Entire project duration |
| Water resistant? | Partially – leaks in heavy rain | Yes – built for Australian conditions |
| UV stabilised? | No – degrades quickly | Yes – long-term outdoor use |
| Ropes for securing? | Limited eyelets, weak fixings | Ropes every metre |
| Quality checked? | No | Yes – inspected before every hire |
| End of life? | Landfill | Returned, repaired, rehired |
The verdict: After just 2 weeks of Flynn Tarps hire ($139.72) you’re already ahead financially with a superior product that won’t fail on you. Every week after that is pure saving. And a poly tarp that tears after a fortnight still costs $228.10.
Do that three times in a year and you’ve spent $684.30 on tarps that ended up in landfill.
6 Reasons Why Tarp Hire Makes More Sense Than Buying
1. No Maintenance Costs – Ever
When you hire from Flynn Tarps, maintenance is our problem, not yours. Every tarp in our fleet is professionally inspected, repaired and quality checked before it leaves the factory. You get a tarp in good condition every single time.
When you buy, you own the problem. Repairs, storage damage, UV degradation, that’s all on you.
2. No Storage Headaches
Large tarps are bulky. After your job is done, where does a bought tarp go? Most builders either fold it badly, stuff it in a shed and find it damaged next time they need it or they throw it out.
When you hire from us, we collect it. Simple as that.
3. Fast Delivery – Same Day Available
Need a tarp urgently? We dispatch same day across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Whether it’s storm damage or an unexpected weather event mid-project, we have the fleet and the systems to get a tarp to your site fast.
4. The Right Size, Every Time
We carry a full range from 3m x 10m up to 9m x 12m. Not sure what size you need? Call us on 1800 82 77 77 and we’ll help you choose. Getting the wrong size from a hardware store means another trip, more cost and more delay.
5. No Upfront Payment
Book online and pay at the end of the job. No capital outlay, no tying up cash in equipment you might only need for a few weeks. For businesses, hire costs are also fully deductible as a business expense – unlike asset purchases which attract depreciation.
6. Flexible – Week by Week
Projects overrun. Weather delays happen. With Flynn Tarps hire, you simply call us when you’ve finished the job. No penalties, no lock-in contracts. The tarp stays as long as your project needs it.
The Environmental Case – One You Might Not Have Considered
This one matters more than most people realise.
A cheap poly tarp is essentially single use. It tears, degrades and ends up in landfill within weeks. Multiply that across a busy construction site over a year and the waste is significant – dozens of poly tarps per site, per year, all going to landfill.
Flynn Tarps’ heavy duty PVC tarps work completely differently. Every tarp in our fleet is hired out, returned, professionally repaired and rehired – again and again. One PVC tarp does the work of dozens of disposable poly tarps over its lifetime.
For builders working on green star rated projects, for businesses with sustainability requirements, or for anyone with environmentally conscious clients – hiring from Flynn Tarps is the smarter, greener choice. It’s not just better for your budget. It’s better for the planet.
When Does Buying Actually Make Sense?
In the spirit of honesty, there are situations where buying a tarp makes sense:
- One-off DIY jobs at home where you need very light duty coverage for a few hours
- Situations where the tarp is covering something non-critical and cheap poly is genuinely adequate
- Businesses that use tarps every single day and have the space and systems to maintain and store them properly
For builders, insurers, owner builders, commercial operators and anyone managing a construction site or storm damage situation? Hiring is almost always the better call.
The Bottom Line
Hiring tarps offers flexibility, affordability and convenience that buying simply can’t match and when you factor in the environmental impact of single use poly tarps ending up in landfill, the case for hiring becomes even stronger.
At Flynn Tarps, we’ve been making tarp hire simple, fast and reliable for builders, insurers and owner builders across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for over 35 years. Our heavy duty PVC tarps are built for Australian conditions, quality checked before every hire and delivered fast when you need them most.
Ready to make the switch? View our hire rates and book online for Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane or call us on 1800 82 77 77 and we’ll help you choose the right tarp for your job.
FAQs
Q: Is tarp hire cheaper than buying?
A: For most builders and contractors – yes, significantly. Hiring avoids the high upfront purchase price, eliminates maintenance and storage costs, and gives you a quality checked, heavy duty PVC tarp that actually lasts. A 6m x 9m poly tarp from a hardware store costs $228.10 and lasts 1–3 weeks. The same size from Flynn Tarps is $69.86 per week — and you’re already ahead after just 2 weeks.
Q: Are Flynn Tarps’ tarps waterproof?
A: Our heavy duty PVC tarps are water resistant and built for Australian conditions. They handle heavy rain, strong winds and UV exposure far better than cheap poly alternatives. For full waterproofing of a roof, you’d need a proper roofing solution – tarps are designed for temporary protection while works are underway.
Q: Can I hire tarps for emergency situations?
A: Absolutely. We offer same day dispatch across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for storm damage, roof leaks and make-safe operations. Call us on 1800 82 77 77 for the fastest response.
Q: Do you deliver tarps to construction sites?
A: Yes! We’re known for providing fast, reliable delivery to construction sites and residential properties across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. For areas outside metro, call us and we’ll do our best to help.
Q: Is hiring a tarp better for the environment?
A: Yes, significantly. Our PVC tarps are hired, returned, repaired and rehired rather than thrown away after one use. One PVC hire replaces dozens of single use poly tarps that would otherwise end up in landfill.