Sound Engineer Hire
I am both individually available for hire as sound engineer and/or can arrange for the hire of other professional sound engineers. Through my substantial contacts within the industry I can provide you with the engineer that is best suited to the role and event. Engineers can be hired either by the hour or by the day at the following rates:
  • Hourly Rate: £20
  • Daily Rate: £200

Rates for longer periods are negotiable. Charges are subject to a minimum call out of three hours. A daily rate equates to twelve working hours in any 24-hour period. Subsequent hours will be charged at one and a half the normal houlry rate.

Technician Hire
Technicians are available for hire in a range of fields and specialities, including sound, A/V, lighting/LX and power distrobution, etc. Technicians can be hired either by the hour or day at the below rates:
  • Hourly Rate: £14
  • Daily Rate: £140
Rates can be negotiated for longer periods. Charges are subject to a minimum three hour call out fee. The daily rate equates to twelve working ours within any 24-hour period. Subsequent hours will be charged at one and a half the normal hourly rate.
Load-in/Load-out Crew

General crew for the physical labour side of load-ins and load-outs can be hired at the rates shown below:

  • Hourly Rate: £10

Charges are subject to a minimum four hour call out fee and a maximum working day of twelve hours.

Other Crew...

There are a long list of crew positions that are common on a whole range of events. I have contacts within the industry that are professionals in may different fields and job roles that are available for hire. Such roles include, but are not exclusive to:

  • Stage Manager (and ASM, DSM, etc.)
  • Lighting Designer
  • Lighting Operator
  • Followspot Operator
  • Riggers and Flymen
  • System Technicians
  • Sound Designers
  • Guitar/Drum/Backline Technicians
  • Electricians
  • Set Designers
  • Set Construction/Painting
Other Services...

Through my contacts within the industry I can manage a complete event solution for you, which could include:

  • Event and/or Stage Management
  • Staging
  • Lighting
  • Rigging
  • Pyrotechnics
Personell Hire Terms & Conditions

Working Hours

Hired personnel will not be made to work, by Michael Cookson or the hirer, for more than a reasonable number of hours in a given day, ordinarily limited to twelve hours. Consecutive hours of work are undertaken at the discretion of the individual crew member, and are charged at one and a half times their usual hourly rate. For multiple day events/tours the number of reasonable working hours per day may be lowered.

Breaks

Personnel must be able to take regular breaks in line with employment laws and legislation.

Safety

Personnel WILL stop working should they deem the working environment or task/s required of them to be unsafe. Neither I or the individuals hired can be held responsible for delays or cancellation of an event if work is stopped due to safety concerns. The hirer will still be charged in full for the hire of the personnel and equipment, where applicable.

Noise

The maximum and average SPL (volume) to which personnel are exposed to, and the duration of the exposure, must be within the permitted limits of the Noise at Work regulations. Personnel have the right to leave loud areas and stop work should they deem their exposure to be dangerous or detrimental to their hearing and where adequate PPE is not available.

Manual Handling

In line with Health and Safety guidance, personnel are only obliged to lift and/or carry what they are personally comfortable with, however, a maximum one person lift of 30kg is enforced. Equipment should be on wheels or suitable aids, such as dollies or sack trucks, should be provided. Where stairs or difficult get-in/get-outs are part of the work the maximum lift per person may decrease while the number of people required to perform the task may increase. It is the responsibility of the hirer to inform Michael Cookson and/or their liaison about such situations well in advance of the event as extra crew may be required.

Expenses and Accommodation

These are charged on top of the hourly rates of personnel. Costs covered include, but are not limited to, food, drink (non-alcoholic), accommodation, parking (including penalty notices where no other reasonable option is provided by hirer), congestion and low emission charges, toll roads/bridges, ferry charges, public transport, fuel etc. Accommodation must be of a reasonable quality with same sex only rooms (where requested by crew memebers) as well as being safe and secure with hot and cold running water and a shower. Please ensure suitable parking arrangements are available for the vehicle/s which will be used by the personnel.

Drivers Hours and Vehicle Restrictions

In the case of any vehicle over 3.5T, the driver is restricted by government regulations regarding driver hours. No exceptions can or will be made. Accommodation arrangements must be made for drivers as and when required. Drivers will only drive below the speed limit, or the speed to which their vehicle is limited to,

Late Running or Cancellation of Events

Where events are delayed or cancelled due to any of the above points being contested the responsibility lies solely with the hirer.