Deciding between purchasing used construction equipment and renting what you need whenever you need it can be a tough call. Considering the bottom line is the best way to figure out which option is right for you.
Renting is convenient when you need a specific piece of equipment for one job, but it can get costly and unreasonable when you are renting that piece of equipment more than thirty percent of the time. This is when you might consider purchasing the equipment, but make sure you take into account the costs of operation. Compare what you are spending by renting the machine to what you might be spending if you owned it. This must include tax, insurance, interest, operation costs, regular maintenance cost, etc.
Even if you are still leaning toward renting after this calculation, you should consider the money you could potentially lose if you could not get your rental right away.
When making this decision, be sure to compare the rental cost to the potential profits. While the cost of the equipment could be insignificant in comparison to the profit you will be making, you must consider what percentage of your job’s budget the rental is consuming and whether or not this is worth the cost. Often, rentals consume an unnecessary amount of the job’s budget and are a waste of money in the long run.
It is also a good idea to look at where the money is ultimately going. When you purchase used equipment, the monthly payments are going toward owning the equipment outright. When you rent, however, you will never get anything out of that money other than the temporary use of the construction equipment. Used construction equipment tends to hold its value well, which means you should be able to sell the equipment when you no longer need it.
When it comes to extra fees, be sure to consider transportation costs. Will it cost more to transport your own construction equipment than it will to rent at the destination? Will you be able to rely on the rented construction equipment arriving on time? If the equipment was late or the rental fell through, how much money would you lose? Be sure to consider all extra costs before making your decision.
Is Used Construction Equipment the Best Option?
In most cases, purchasing used construction equipment is the wisest course of action. The prices are manageable, and it allows you to build your fleet instead of throwing money away to gain temporary access to a piece of equipment. Everyone is different, and every business has different needs. Maybe you would rather pay for temporary use than be responsible for your construction equipment’s regular maintenance. Do whatever works best for your business.
If you are interested in purchasing used construction equipment, contact us today. We offer a variety of construction equipment and will likely have exactly what you need to get the job done. Call our office to speak with a representative about how we can help you.
