Want a piece of heavy construction equipment – such as a backhoe, an articulated hauler, or a crane – but don’t want to purchase the machinery?
Construction equipment rental in Alabama is your best bet for getting the machinery you need, when you need it, at an affordable price. But navigating what’s out there and what’s available can be confusing when there are so many options.Plus, you want to make sure your money is being well-spent, because even renting is an investment.
Here are tips you can follow to not only choose the right rental dealer, but also to get the best value for your money and find the right pieces for your job site.
Know the Benefits of Renting Equipment
First, let’s talk briefly about the benefits of renting equipment.
The first and most obvious benefit is simple: you save money in the short-term by not paying the entire cost of a new machine. Renting in the long run isn’t always the most cost-effective option, but if you need a certain piece of equipment for a particular job right now, it can be the best course of action.
Another benefit is that you don’t have to worry about standard maintenance. The rental company you choose will handle all of that work, so you can focus on the job itself – not the equipment you use. In this way, you actually save even more in the short-term by not having to factor in the cost of maintenance/repair work.
Finally, if a piece breaks down or isn’t the right fit for the job, you can simply return the machine to the dealer and get something else to replace it. Doing so is a very simple process that saves time and energy.
Now that you’ve decided to rent, what do you need to know before you select a dealer?
Understand All Rental Guidelines and Policies
Guidelines and policies for construction equipment rental in Alabama aren’t universal. There is no one-size-fits-all set of rules for every dealer. Each dealer has its own policies in place.
You’ll need to know the rules for each prospective dealer so you can understand what it’ll be like to rent from that company. This isn’t just about rates, either; you’ll need to know about return policies, maintenance and repair guidelines, additional fees, liability insurance, and the like.
Never choose a dealer without having a detailed conversation about the paperwork. You should have a firm idea of what expectations are – for both sides – before agreeing to a rental contract. And no reputable dealer should ever pressure you into a contract without telling you everything you need to know about the fine print.
How Long Will You Need the Equipment?
Many construction pros are concerned about price when they choose to rent. After all, that’s one of the main reasons they’re renting instead of buying.
What plays into the overall cost of the rental includes time. How long will you need the machinery? Dealers can charge by the hour, by the day, by the week, or even by the month. This will be the single biggest factor of your rental price.
Always ask for discounts based on lengthy rental terms. In other words, if you’re renting the equipment for a long period of time, ask for a discount. You may not get one, but it never hurts to ask.
Be Open to Different Options
Many of us are tied to the brands we like, but in construction equipment rental, that can be a detriment.
Instead of focusing on just one brand, be open to options from other brands. You may have several bulldozers from a few different manufacturers available. If that’s the case, you need to go with the one that’s best for your job and your specs – not one chosen based purely on brand.
Listen to your dealer’s representatives and talk to them about what piece works best for your job. Even if it’s all within one brand, one machine may be better than another for what you’re looking to do. Again, it never hurts – and usually helps – to ask for specific guidance on choosing the right machine.
Ask the Right Questions
Finally, when picking a dealer, ask the right questions.
These questions vary, but generally include:
- What is your maintenance and repair policy?
- If the machine goes, what is the average lead time on swapping for another?
- What is your early return policy?
- What are typical delivery and pickup times for your equipment?
- Do you offer any kind of training to your customers?
- Are there any add-on fees I should know about?
- How often are your machines maintained and inspected?
- Do you offer any guarantees for durability or quality of service?
Once you have the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to quickly sift through the options and find the dealer that best fits your needs.
For construction equipment rental in Alabama, consider Cowin, the Southeast’s leading name in equipment rental. You can contact us here to learn more about renting from our inventory of equipment from the world’s best brands.