Questions? Answered.
Everything contractors and owners ask us — straight answers, no fine print surprises.
For contractors
What does PlantLynk cost me?
Nothing — ever. Searching, comparing rates and booking are free for contractors, and we take 0% commission on your hire. You pay the owner directly, and only the owner.
How does booking work?
Find a machine on the map, tap Request to book, pick your dates and pin your site. The owner gets your request instantly, you get a WhatsApp line straight to them plus a tracking link. You agree the final details directly — no middleman.
What's the difference between wet and dry rates?
Wet = machine + operator (and usually fuel). Dry = machine only, you supply the operator and fuel. Check the live Rate Index to see what's normal for each category before you negotiate.
Does the rate include transport?
No — the advertised rate is for the machine hire only. Transport (and standby time) is quoted separately by the owner. That's why we show the distance from the machine's base to your site the moment you pin your location: no quote shocks.
How do I know an owner is legit?
Every listing passes our vetting layers: real photos AI-checked against the claimed machine, human review before going live, reply-time tracking, two-way reviews and no-show reporting. Owners with the green ✓ Verified badge have also passed document checks. Golden rule: never pay a deposit before you've verified the owner and seen the machine.
What if I can't find the machine I need?
Post a request — tell us what you need, where and when. Owners with matching machines near your site see it and come to you with offers you can compare side by side.
For machine owners
What does listing cost?
Listing is free, and PlantLynk never takes commission on your hires. Paid plans (Pro and Verified) add priority placement and the Verified badge — and they're free during our launch.
How long does it take to list a machine?
About 60 seconds. Snap photos, our AI fills in the make, model and specs, you set your rate (we show you the going market range) and submit. A human reviews every listing — you're typically live within 24 hours.
What's my free storefront?
Every owner gets a public web page showing your fleet, rates, badges and reviews — with a share button and a printable QR code for your bakkie or business cards. Bookings from it land straight in your dashboard.
How do I log into my dashboard?
No passwords. When you list, your device is signed in automatically, and your private dashboard link works anywhere you open it. Lost access? Contact us and we'll re-link you securely.
How do I get the ✓ Verified badge?
Company registration, operator certification (where required) and public liability cover — reviewed by a human. Verified owners rank higher and win the bigger contracts. See the full vetting layers →
Why do fast replies matter?
Contractors book whoever answers first. We track reply times and show a ⚡ badge on fast responders — and there's a "Fastest reply" sort on the map. Fast owners simply win more work.