Landscapers and homeowners need landscaping equipment for various purposes. If you are a DIY landscaping enthusiast or own a landscaping company, choosing between leasing and buying can prove challenging. You should consider the convenience and economic benefits of both options. Most landscaping contractors prefer buying landscaping equipment like chainsaws, excavators, a feller buncher, and excavator attachments because it gives them a competitive edge and motivates them to find more work. However, homeowners should consider other factors to decide whether buying or leasing is a good option.
Pros of Buying Landscaping Equipment
Most people like owning their equipment instead of leasing it every other time. However, while some landscaping equipment is cheap and affordable, others are very costly. Owning this equipment means you can conduct your landscaping activities uninterrupted if you can afford the costs. If the machine accidentally breaks down, you won’t have to worry about incurring leasing fees and other charges.
Buying the equipment also means you won’t have to think about the length of the lease. As such, you won’t have to rush your landscaping projects or wonder why you signed up for a long-term lease for a few days project. Owning the equipment also counts as an asset you can sell or lease at your convenience.
Cons of Buying Landscaping Equipment
While buying gives you all-year access to the equipment, it has several drawbacks. For starters, buying some landscaping equipment is very expensive. You should also consider maintenance, storage, repair, and complementary costs. You’ll need extra garage space to store your equipment.
Pros of Renting Landscaping Equipment
Renting landscaping equipment is a prudent choice in some situations. Unlike before, you can rent nearly all landscaping equipment from your local store, including trenchers, pesticide sprayers, and aerators. Renting eliminates the high upfront costs required during purchase. You won’t have to worry about maintenance, insurance, and repair costs.
Cons of Renting Landscaping Equipment
While leasing is affordable, you’ll spend much time picking up and dropping off the equipment from the leasing company. Some equipment is also very huge, so hiring a trailer is necessary. If you can’t pick up the equipment, rental companies often charge pick-up and delivery fees, which can quickly add up.
What to Consider Before Buying or Leasing
Several considerations go into deciding whether to lease or buy landscaping equipment. First, you should determine how often you will use the equipment. If you need equipment for seasonal landscaping jobs, leasing is a good option. However, it is best to purchase the equipment for frequent landscaping tasks, such as mowing or leaf blowing.
The second factor is the cost of renting vs. buying. The cost of leasing equipment you’ll need many times a year can quickly add up. You should compare the costs of hiring and delivering the equipment in a year versus the purchase and maintenance costs.
Endnote
You should consider buying or leasing landscaping equipment based on several factors. If you have enough financial support, either savings or financing, you can buy the most important equipment, such as a lawn mower. Leasing landscaping equipment is a good option for specialized kits and accessories that aren’t required in every job.
