Selecting the right company
Whether you are looking at a do it yourself or diy bathroom renovation or a contractor with too many job sites and not enough tools, a reliable hire company may solve your problems.
When you are doing a bathroom renovation and you need equipment for a specific task, look for a hire company that not only has the equipment you need, but also will be able to give you instruction and tips on the use of their equipment. The equipment should be well serviced and ready to go, and for more complicated pieces of machinery, written instructions are often provided.
For the builder or contractor, where delays can mean financial difficulties, be sure the hire company can deliver a substitute or can repair the equipment on-site in the unlikely event that the equipment breaks down. Ask if the hire company can deliver specialized tools in those situations where unexpected needs demand a piece of equipment not readily available. Also, pre-booking of equipment is commonly provided.
How do they charge for the rental?
Most hire company charges are based on daily rental, but depending upon the equipment, you may be able to hire by the hour, half-day, week or longer. Usually better rates are available for long-term rentals. The basic rental fee may not include petrol or insurance. You may be required to top up the petrol tank before returning the equipment. The charges you pay are carefully determined by the initial cost of the equipment, wear and tear, maintenance and storage, insurance and the cost of all other overheads.
This also represents the savings to you when you hire the equipment. The casual user cannot afford all of the costs associated with ownership hence the beauty of hiring. You can have all the power and capability of a specialized or heavy-duty tool, with none of the headaches associated with ownership.
Benefits of renting instead of buying
One of the great benefits derived from using an equipment hire company, is knowing that, no matter what the job, the right piece of equipment will be available. It's like having the world's largest and best-equipped tool shed and equipment yard just a phone call away.
You also benefit from not having to outlay the cost of purchasing the equipment, storing the equipment, maintaining it, and replacing it if it fails. If you are a contractor with too many job sites and not enough equipment, a hire company can help you maintain your schedules, and during slow times reduce overheads when the costs of an extra equipment payment and storage could mean disaster.
These same benefits apply to the weekend repairer. You only put up a fence once every ten years or more, so why buy a post-hole digger? Hiring makes sense.
Should I rent or lease?
One of the things common to leasing and hiring equipment is that you are not making an outright purchase. For the average customer, the contract starts when the equipment leaves the store and ends when the equipment comes back after the job is done. With hiring, the equipment is stored, maintained, repaired, and replaced by the hire company. If you lease equipment, some of these tasks will have to be performed by you.
With a hire, costs are simply a function of the time a piece of equipment is used. A lease requires a payment every month no matter how much the equipment is used and if you decide to terminate a lease, you may have to pay a penalty for finishing the contract early. Of course, leasing may be a good option if you know that you will use the equipment frequently enough to justify the interest paid on the lease. Make sure you do the sums to get the best deal to suit your requirements.
If you are renting equipment that is involved in painting, double check with the company about the specific paints that you will be using.