As a contractor, renting construction equipment may often make more financial and practical sense than buying your own outright. This is especially true in instances where you only need a certain piece of heavy equipment temporarily for a single job or project. Still, as you seek out equipment rental companies in your area, there are a few tips you'll want to keep in mind to ensure you end up with quality equipment at a fair price.
Explore Costs Up-Front
Find out not just how much you'll be charged for the rental, but the terms of your payment as well. For example, what type of deposit will you be required to place on the equipment? Some rental companies also charge higher rates during busy times, such as during the week versus over the weekend. You may also want to find out if your quoted price includes any kind of equipment protection plan so that you can avoid liability in the event of damage.
Understand Maintenance Responsibilities
Depending on the length of your rental, be aware that you may be responsible for taking care of some general care and maintenance tasks on the construction equipment itself. This is most common in long-term rentals, where you may be responsible for changing oil, lubricating moving parts, and the like. Make sure you know what you'll be responsible for versus what the rental company should take care of.
Be Aware of State Regulations
Each state has its own laws and regulations when it comes to construction rental equipment, so become familiar with yours before renting. For example, if you'll be renting any diesel-powered equipment, clean-air laws may prevent you from leaving this type of equipment idling while not in use.
Inquire About Training Options
If you or any of your employees need some training on a piece of construction equipment, it can be worth it to find a rental company that offers some kind of training courses as part of the rental agreement. Many companies offer either on-site training or even online training so that you and your workers can operate the equipment safely and with confidence. This can especially come in handy for equipment you don't use very often and could use a "refresher" on.
These are just a few important tips to keep in mind when it comes to renting any kind of construction equipment. Follow these tips for greater success with your next project.
Share17 September 2018
My name is Autumn, and I'm glad you are here. I am one of very few women who work in construction. Yes, I operate heavy machinery. I also use power tools and climb up on planks high in the air. I am a construction worker, and I am just as good at it as my male co-workers. In fact, I often consider myself even better. I hope this blog will help people understand that women can choose to do anything that interests them, and that it is okay for a women to pursue careers that are traditionally reserved for men.
