It can be difficult to decide between buying and renting a lift. Most companies will come to a decision by looking at their expected usage over time. Businesses that will only use a lift once or twice a year may not benefit from purchasing and maintaining their own lift. However, those that rent the same equipment often might want to consider making a purchase.
If you are looking to use an aerial lift year-round, it may be sensible to purchase one instead of renting. But in the more likely case you will be using an aerial lift for only several days, weeks or months at a time, renting is the most cost-effective option. Compared to purchasing aerial lifts, renting can save you an average of 13%.
For example, purchasing a 19-foot Electric Scissor Lift costs between $12,000 and $14,000. In contrast, renting a 19-foot electric scissor lift will only cost:
(*prices based on typical industry averages and not reflective of pricing at MacAllister Rentals)
While prices vary depending on the size of aerial lift you require, if you don’t need your lift on a regular basis, the benefits of renting equipment outweigh purchasing outright.
We’ve already learned a lot about the types of lifts that are common in the rental and used markets today. Now that you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, you can compare some of the pros and cons of renting vs. buying.
Pros of renting aerial lifts include:
Some of the cons of renting aerial lifts are:
If you choose to buy your own lift:
Be sure to think about the cons of buying an aerial lift as well:
Rental companies like Fabick Rents also sell past rental lifts as used equipment. This is a great option if you would like to purchase, but cannot justify the price of a brand-new lift. For your convenience, we also keep the latest and most requested models in stock at all our facilities.
It is important to note the exact nature of your work and your expected usage, as it will immediately rule out many types of lifts. This makes it easier to find the lift best suited for the job at hand. The process of choosing a lift may seem complicated, but with the help of this guide, you can be confident in your choices.
Here are some general questions to consider when determining which aerial lift is right for your project: