Choosing the right equipment is essential to rent an earthmover or an aerial work platform. Inadequate equipment wastes time and money and can pose safety risks for your workers.
It’s like the Goldilocks story — you don’t want a machine that’s too big or too small, but you also don’t want overkill.
Know Your Options
Equipment for rent is a significant investment for any business. That’s why finding the right company to rent and repair equipment is essential. A GSA-approved rental provider can help you weigh your options, select the correct equipment for your job, train you on how to use it, transport it, and service it.
When choosing a rental provider, make sure they have an extensive inventory to choose from. One of the biggest reasons customers end up down- or over-rented is their rental provider needs more equipment to meet their requirements in time.
Qualified equipment rental experts understand the specifics of each type of equipment and will recommend the best model for your job site. They will ask questions about the project, such as whether it will be indoors or outdoors, on flat ground or a rocky hill. This information will allow them to recommend a machine with the proper load capacity and dimensions.
Know Your Needs
If you’re looking for equipment to rent, like trailer rentals, it pays to do your homework before settling on a provider. Ask several rental companies for rates and compare each. Also, look for additional fees beyond the basics of the contract, including delivery or pickup charges and maintenance costs.
Ensure the equipment you’re renting is the right size for the job. Equipment that is too small will decrease your efficiency, while equipment that is too large can damage lawns and asphalt.
Keep in mind the frequency of special projects you’ll also be undertaking. Purchasing your equipment may be more economical if you do these jobs regularly.
Compare Rates
When choosing a rental company, you should look at rates. This means the initial cost of a particular piece of equipment and its annual costs and upkeep. This includes storage, maintenance, and allocating staff wages as a percentage of the equipment. It would help if you also considered any location adjustments for the climate that may be a factor in ownership costs.
Ultimately, renting or owning should be based on utilization rates. If a business will use an asset less than 40% of the time, it is likely better to rent. However, if utilization is to surpass 60%, it makes sense to own the asset. In addition, tracking equipment usage can help businesses make more informed decisions on compliance, downtime, and waiting for assets. This will help them to avoid unnecessary expenditures. It will also allow them to stay on track with air quality standards and other compliance measures. This can be a significant benefit for any size of business.
Choose the Right Company
It’s essential to find a rental company that understands your needs. The best companies partner with you, discover your project’s equipment, and then provide a solution. They don’t down rent to make a profit or sell you a model that needs to be more prominent in capacity, which can cause severe problems on the worksite.
An excellent rental company also carries a large fleet, making it easier to meet your needs without delay. Additionally, they should have software to track asset use and prevent overuse and underuse of equipment.
Finally, it’s essential to know what the rental process entails – delivery and pickup timelines, insurance costs, payment terms, etc. These factors can significantly impact your business’s budget and should be considered when buying or renting. Also, it’s a great idea to ask other businesses who have hired rental equipment for recommendations. Lastly, choose a company that offers training and after-hours support to help you avoid costly equipment downtime and keep your projects on schedule.
