Scissor lifts are one of the most commonly used aerial work platforms. These versatile machines help crews organize warehouses, repair bridges, harvest in orchards and repair ceilings. They’re so common, in fact, that many companies wonder if it’s better to rent or buy a scissor lift for their projects.
No matter the use case or frequency of use, you know you need reliable, high-quality equipment to keep projects running smoothly and safely. You may just need a little help deciding which route to take.
When considering whether to buy or rent a scissor lift, it’s important to understand your project needs and budget constraints. Buying can be a better choice for companies that will be using scissor lifts a lot only if they already have the infrastructure to maintain, move and store them. But in many cases, renting a scissor lift will be the more flexible, cost-effective solution.
In this article, we’ll compare the advantages and disadvantages of both options. By the end, you’ll be better prepared to make the best choice for your projects.
Renting a Scissor Lift vs Buying: Where to Start
Before deciding whether to buy or rent a scissor lift, you need to consider more than just the upfront costs. Asking yourself the following questions can help you home in on the right decision for your project.
Factors to Consider:
- What Size and Type of Scissor Lift Will Get the Job Done? Before choosing to rent a scissor lift, know what lift height and load capacity you need. Additionally, consider the project site’s terrain and conditions. For example, narrow electric scissor lifts are best for indoor work in crowded spaces like a warehouse, while rough terrain scissor lifts are better for uneven outdoor spaces.
- What’s the Duration of My Project? How long will the project last? Will you need the scissor lift for the whole project or just during certain phases? The scissor lift rental cost per day will vary depending on the duration of the rental. The shorter the rental, the higher the cost per day. Likewise, if you need the lift all day, every day indefinitely, buying may cost less than renting.
- What’s the Cost to Rent a Scissor Lift? What’s My Budget? Scissors lift purchase prices start around $10,000 and can reach more than $50,000. Renting a scissor lift can start as low as $100 a day or $350 a week. If you need a scissor lift for only a short time, renting will likely be more cost effective.
- Is My Team Able to Use and Maintain the Lift? In the U.S., OSHA has strict requirements for the use and maintenance of scissor lifts to ensure everyone’s safety. If you don’t have the budget or skills to handle ongoing maintenance, renting may be the better choice. Reliable rental equipment providers will take care of the maintenance and repairs for you and can even offer equipment-operation training.
- Read more about other aerial equipment solutions:
Pros and Cons of Buying a Scissor Lift
Let’s say you’ve narrowed down exactly what type of scissor lift you need, and you know how long you’ll need it for. How do you make the final choice to buy or rent?
In general, buying a scissor lift may be the better choice for companies with larger budgets and when the lift will be used regularly for years. Consider the following pros and cons of equipment purchase before deciding.
Advantages of Buying a Scissor Lift
- 24/7 Equipment Availability: When you own a scissor lift, it is always available for use as long as it’s in safe working condition. However, when the lift is out for repairs or maintenance, you may still need to rent a backup scissor lift.
- Possible Tax Advantages: In the U.S., there may be tax advantages to buying equipment. For example, you may be able to write off depreciation or there may be tax rebates available. Do your research and consult your tax adviser before making a decision.
- Good Return on Investment for High Utilization: If the scissor lift will be in continuous use for years, it may be more cost efficient to buy. Plus, when the lift is at the end of its usefulness, you can sell it. This way you recoup some of your investment.
Disadvantages of Buying a Scissor Lift
- Large Upfront Costs: Buying a scissor lift requires thousands of dollars of investment. The large initial investment required to buy a scissor lift often means getting loans and taking on interest payments. Even if purchasing a scissor lift might make more sense than renting in the long-term, the down payment or additional debt required may be cost prohibitive.
- Transportation and Storage Costs: When you buy a scissor lift, you are responsible for moving and storing the lift. You’ll need storage space plus equipment (and trained drivers) to transport the lift to and from the project site. Be sure to factor in these costs before making a purchase. It may be more cost effective to rent a scissor lift where the rental equipment provider handles transportation and storage.
- Maintenance Responsibilities: Equipment ownership means your company is responsible for all maintenance and repairs. You may need to hire or train employees to take on these responsibilities. Or, you may need to sign up for expensive service contracts with a vendor. This can quickly add to the costs of ownership.
- Less Flexibility and Adaptability: In many industries, work changes quickly. You may find that the scissor lift you bought no longer meets your needs. In which case, you’ll need to rent or buy a different lift. This can mean costly delays or missing out on new opportunities.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Scissor Lift
There are many advantages to renting scissor lifts for your projects over buying them. When the needs of the work site vary from project to project, renting a scissor lift can be the most budget-friendly way to get exactly the equipment you need right when you need it. Consider the following pros and cons before partnering with an equipment rental provider.
Advantages of Renting a Scissor Lift
- Cost Savings: Unless your business has a continuous need for the scissor lift and the staff and tools needed to maintain, repair, move and store it, renting is often the more cost-effective choice. You can rent a scissor lift for a day or two, for weeks, or for months. The longer the rental duration, the lower the per-day cost. Plus, a reliable rental equipment provider will handle the transportation, storage and repairs for you. This elimates the high ongoing costs of ownership.
- Convenience: Renting means you can always have the right scissor lift for the job. Buying a small scissor lift might mean it is not able to do every job you need it for, but paying for a large one often means using it on jobs when a less expensive option would have worked perfectly. With renting, you never have to pay for more machine functionality than you need.
- Access to Latest Technology: High-quality equipment rental providers have fleets of scissor lifts featuring the latest models. You will get access to the newest products and technologies, such as mobile access controls and built-in diagnostic tools. Renting the latest models frees you from the hassle and costs of keeping your own fleet up to date.
- Flexibility to Expand Your Services and Fleet: Not every scissor lift is made for every job. When you buy a scissor lift, you have access to one type of lift. This might mean turning down opportunities because you don’t have the right equipment or renting another scissor lift anyway. Choosing to rent your scissor lifts instead of buying them means you can expand or reduce your fleet quickly and efficiently.
- Try Different Models Before Making a Purchase: Buying a scissor lift is a significant investment so you want to get it right. If you’re looking to buy, the last thing you want to do is pick a scissor lift that ends up not meeting your needs. The best way to find out which one will work for you is by trying out different models and gaining that experience yourself. With a short-term rental you can test different makes and models on the job, and you can likely vet different features with experts that are intimately familiar with the pros and cons of each.
Disadvantages of Renting a Scissor Lift
- Less Control Over Maintenance and Availability: Depending on demand or maintenance schedules, your rental provider might not have specific machines available when you need them. Luckily, this can be easily avoided through long-term rental agreements and planning ahead with a reliable equipment rental provider.
- May Cost More Over Time: Renting a scissor lift is great because you only have to pay for the lift when you need it. However, if you find that your lifts are in continuous use over long periods, buying the scissor lift may be more cost effective.
- No Resale or Scrap Value: When you own your own lift, you can recoup some of its cost at the end of its life. With rented equipment, you won’t get any money back when the rental provider sells or scraps the machine.
Rent Scissor Lifts with Confidence: Contact Herc Rentals Today
Your teams deserve reliable, high-quality scissor lifts to reach their work areas safely. When you choose Herc Rentals, you’ll always get a well-maintained, carefully inspected machine that helps you meet your goals.
Whether you need electric scissor lifts for regular warehouse needs, or a rough terrain scissor lift for outdoor projects, Herc Rentals can help you gear up and get the job done. Our equipment experts can help you find the right lift, coordinate transportation and give your team equipment-specific training, saving you time and labor.
Explore our vast fleet of scissor lifts and other aerial solutions, or give us a call at 888-777-2700 to discuss options with an expert today.
