5 Ways Renting Equipment Can Save You Time and Money on Outdoor Projects

Not all the time that owning equipment is cost-effective. In many cases, renting equipment can save you more bucks and time on outdoor projects. Below are the 5 ways renting equipment can save you time and money on outdoor projects:

Carefully Read The Rental Contracts

Check The Dealer's Damage Waiver

It’s bitter to spend several hundred thousand dollars on the damage happening to the rental equipment that the dealer waives.

Therefore, it is worth spending extra time to read carefully:

• What the dealer’s insurance covers
• What damage they waive
• Investigate alternative insurances

Some dealers make extra profits on selling insurance for their equipment while several companies have already had insurance to cover hired equipment.

Inspect What The Rental Rate Covers

Most equipment hirers want the best price and they have a tendency to look for the cheapest offer. Some dealers use price tricks to make their rental equipment more competitive.

Instead of showing the rental rate that factors all the extra costs, they only show the basic rental cost and will charge more on the additional functions (which we usually need).

These extra charges are quite expensive and in some cases, the sum of the basic rental cost and the extra charges is even pricier than the rental once of other companies.

Therefore, you should make price comparisons wisely to not be lured to these marketing traps.

Check The Rental Equipment’s Quality

Unusually cheap offers often contain hidden problems.

A typical example is that with the same line, a few dealers offer at an insanely low rental rate compared to others.

In most cases, these cheaper items are older, meaning that they don't work as quietly and productively as the new ones. Not saying that they're probably problematic somewhere - such as oil leakage or emission and break down often, which will eat up your time and effort on fixing.

Above all, the irritation interrupts your project.

Another price trap is that older versions of a brand product series are cheaper than the new ones with many upgraded features - such as more fuel/energy-efficient, less smoky, or quieter.

You should consider if the saving on the upfront cost is worth the increased fuel/energy bill and lower productivity.

Consider How Long And How Strenuous Your Project

Consider How Long Your Project

A basic rule of thumb is the longer the rental time of the equipment, the more cost-effective.

Therefore, if your outdoor project requires a chunk of time to finish, don't hire it for several hours, then return it, then repeat on the next day. It is just time- and effort wasting.

Instead, talk through the scope of your project with the rental company to get the best deal.

You might want to use the company's delivery service instead of loading and unloading the equipment on your own. Consider that option particularly if you don't have a large enough vehicle trunk to move the equipment on your own or if you live far from the rental company's location.

Of course, this extra convenience comes at a cost, but it is commonly cheap plus you strive to get more time on using the equipment without having to subtract pickup and return from your rental time.

Some DIY-ers even gather their days off to take a long break and try to finish all their outdoor projects during that time, which is another great way to optimize the equipment rental fee.

Consider How Strenuous Your Project

Renting equipment is recommended if it can help you speed up your project or help you with heavy-duty work that the manual method hardly can.

For example, renting a powerful rototiller for 4 hours can help you finish tilling large flower beds more quickly than that by hand. Or, hiring a compact track loader for a day to move heavy tree roots is more time and effort efficient than hiring white gloves.

Compared the hiring equipment with other options available and weighing between the time, effort, and money – wondering which is the most important to you, then find out the right choice.

Consider The Use Frequency

It is more cost-effective and time-saving to hire equipment if:

• Your outdoor projects are seasonal, which means you only have to tackle them under three times per year or per several years.

• Your garage space is narrow for storing them

• You are too busy maintaining them periodically

This is mostly with fuel-powered equipment which requires emptying and cleaning the fuel tank or oiling certain components once or twice per year. Otherwise, it will be rusted or break down somewhere and will not be ready when in need.

A rental tool is more convenient – it’s properly cared for and stored to be ready to use whenever in need.

Only Rent The Right Equipment Of The Right Size

Some novice hirers think that the bigger the rental equipment, the better.

However, in fact, the bigger ones are more expensive to rent, not saying that they require extra fuel to operate, which adds up to your spending.

Bigger equipment, besides, often comes with more add-ons.

Unless you really need that extra capacity, just go for a smaller one which fits the requirement of your project.

If You Want To Test The Tool Before Buying It

Buying any equipment for outdoor projects is commonly expensive. And, if you are hesitant if the equipment is suitable for your needs, renting it is a cost-effective way to figure out.

This is also a great way that allows you to try and test out various brands and models before making your buying decision.

Spending time with the equipment and trying out all the functions and add-ons provided.

Conclusion

Above are the 5 ways renting equipment can save you time and money on outdoor projects that I compiled from my experience and interviews with many renowned experts. I hope that this article was helpful to you. Thanks for reading!