In the construction industry, many businesses have to decide on what equipment they need to complete the jobs they have and then they must decide whether they should rent or buy the machines. If your business is currently at the point of looking into renting a trencher, there are a few things to consider before making a decision.
The renting process has many benefits for contractors but it also has quite a few disadvantages. Whether or not the pros outweigh the cons comes down to you and your business’s situation.
Trencher Rental Factors
Lots of contractors rent various pieces of equipment depending on things like use frequency, length, and size as well as the distance from a job. The same factors apply when considering renting a trencher.
Even if you already own a trencher, you may be contemplating the benefits of renting one for a specific job. You can think about the following points if you are uncertain if renting a trencher is right for your construction business.
Size
Trenchers come in a variety of sizes and are capable of handling different ground types and trench sizes. Of course, all different sizes are offered for rent but sometimes it is more difficult to find a certain size or type, depending on how popular it is or not.
If you already own a trencher but you are facing a larger trench job, you may consider renting a bigger trencher. A larger-sized trencher will be able to get through digging a trench much quicker than a small trencher.
Another aspect of this to consider is that if you already own a trencher, a reason you might want to rent another is if the job size is quite large. If you need to dig a long trench, you may want to bring in a few extra trenchers to better tackle the task.
Use Frequency
The frequency that you will need to use a trencher for your job is a huge factor in renting or buying. If you think you will be using a trencher in the future for many of your jobs, it could be worth buying it rather than having to rent for a prolonged period of time. Sometimes the cost of renting the machine for an extended time will add up too much and become more expensive than just purchasing the equipment yourself.
That being said, if you own a trencher, sometimes renting one to work in addition to your own might help if you are backed up with lots of trenching work.
Length of Use
An important thing to think about when considering renting a trencher is how long you will be using it. If you have to use a trencher for a long period or have a few shorter back-to-back jobs that will require a trencher, you might want to buy one. But, if you have one short-term job you need to complete, rental is a great option.
Distance
Even if you own a trencher, if the job is far away from your business, you now have to consider transportation costs. When the distance is too far from where your trencher is located, it can be easier to rent a trencher and not worry about the transportation costs.
If you are expanding your business but aren’t fully equipped in the other regions you are expanding to, rental is a great way to get started there and work your way up.
Renting a Trencher
There are a lot of things to think about when considering renting a trencher for your business. With some research and careful consideration, you will be able to make the most suitable decision for your business and current situation.
Renting can be cost-saving in some situations while it might be expensive in other scenarios. Whatever situation you are in, there may be a few routes you could take, but there is no one-size-fits-all. If you are having a hard time deciding what is best for you, discussing with a rental or an equipment expert is a great way to receive some perspective.
If you are considering renting a trencher, it’s important to contemplate the size of the trench, the frequency that you will be using a trencher, the length of time that the trencher will be required, and the distance between your business and the jobsite.
