Aerial Work Platform Rental vs Purchase: Which Is More Cost-Effective?

When businesses must work well above the ground, they can use aerial work platforms. These machines allow people to work safely and easily on high places. The big question now: will a company buy these aerial platform or rent them? It’s not an easy choice, because both modes have their money effects. Luchang knows what it is like to make this decision because we build and supply these platforms. What it ultimately boils down to is whether or not you should rent or buy, and there’s a lot of things that go into that like for how long you need it, how often you’re going to use it and the costs associated with each. Think twice before deciding to something can impact your budget and work. 

What's the difference in renting vs purchasing for wholesale buyers – The Cost Benefits of Aerial Work Platform Rentals vs Purchase? 

Wholesale buyers typically require numbers of aerial work platforms. Sometimes they need to have multiple machines in place for big jobs. Buying can look like a good deal because you are paying once to have your machines indefinitely. But buying involves paying a hefty sum upfront. And then there is the money it takes to keep machines running well. Maintenance, repairs and storage add up. With rental, on the other hand, potential buyers can pay based on their usage of those platforms. This could save money, assuming the aerial work platform are only required for short jobs. Renting also means peace of mind over broken machines you won't have to fix — the rental company deals with that. For wholesale buyers, especially those who have multiple projects but don’t always need to use all the machines at once, renting can be less expensive and lower-risk. But if the machines are in daily use, without stopping, purchasing may be cheaper over many years. Luchang knows one size doesn’t fit all buyers. We can discern that rental is great in case of flexibility, while purchase is preferable with steady and heavy use. For instance, a company that is going to be on a large construction site for years might benefit from disposable toilets rather than show rentals. But a company with varying projects in different areas might be better off renting. 

What Affects The Cost-Effectiveness Between Renting and Buying a Boom Lift? 

A lot can affect how much money you save or spend when you rent or buy aerial work platforms. One of these is how long you will need the platform. Renting for a day or two may be cheaper than buying. But if you want the platform for several months or years, a purchase could be less expensive in the long term. A second is how frequently the platform is utilized. Idle machines are expensive. Machines that have been purchased but sit idle still cost money, as they occupy space and require maintenance. But with a rented machine, there is a cost only when you use it. Maintenance is a huge money factor as well. When you buy, you pay for tune-ups and repairs. Renting typically rolls those prices into the rental cost. So does the platform’s size and type. Larger, more sophisticated platforms are also pricier to purchase and rent. Location is also important. Transporting the platform from one place to another is expensive. 

Typical Usage Challenges: Renting vs Buying AWP (Aerial Work Platforms) in Bulk

Many companies that require multiple aerial lifts find themselves debating whether to rent or purchase them. There are a few problems common to both that you can run into if you use these machines in quantity. Renting aerial work platforms from a company such as Luchang, you are able to use the machines quickly, without having to spend money on them up front. But sometimes the rented machine you receive will not be the exact model or size you’re after. This can lead to delays, or perhaps make some jobs more difficult. Not to mention, if you rent multiple machines at the same time, scheduling pickups and returns can become complicated very quickly. If something breaks, such as a machine malfunction, you have to phone the rental company and wait for repairs. This waiting can become an obstacle to work and provoke frustration. 

In summary, renting any variety of aerial work platform in large numbers can make availability and timing a challenge, yet is cheaper up front. The more aerial work platform rental you buy, the greater is your freedom and control, but the more money and effort it takes to keep them all humming along smoothly. Companies like Luchang can also assist by providing good rental options as well as advice on purchasing, so you can decide for yourself what would best fit your needs. 

What are the Current Aerial Work Platform Acquisition Wholesale Buyer Preferences? 

Today, wholesale buyers generally know how they want to access aerial work platforms. More firms are now choosing to rent machines first, before making a decision on the purchase. Renting allows them to explore various models from Luchang and find out which fits best for their usage. That “try before you buy” model prevents them from purchasing machines that might not be a good fit. It also allows companies to keep some of their money free for other things, especially when they are uncertain about future contracts etc.