Questions To Ask When Renting Construction Equipment

There’ll be many times when you’ll want to rent construction equipment instead of buying it. Whether it’s because you need the equipment for one project or because buying it isn’t in your budget, the best alternative to purchasing is renting. It is also a more secure option; if something goes wrong with the machine, at least you won’t be stuck with a lemon. That said, you’ll want to ensure that you’re getting the construction equipment you can use instead of getting scammed. 

To ensure that you’re getting the equipment you need, you have to be ready to ask some tough questions. As your local construction equipment dealer, we at Stribling Equipment have compiled some of the most important questions to ask before you rent. If you need any additional help or if you’re looking to buy or rent construction equipment, head to one of our dealerships. We have locations throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas.

Q1: What item would improve my efficiency?

You may not have much experience with construction equipment so this is a really good question to ask. Dealers interact with both the customers and manufacturers so they know which machine is good for which project. They might just have the experience you need to find the right machine for your work. Even if you know which machines you need, this is a question you should ask at the dealership. 

Q2: What are the rental rates?

Okay, so this is a very obvious question but some people hesitate to ask it, while others assume they know the answer because so-and-so told them about it. Ask directly about the cost and any additional fees. The answer should include information on upfront fees, additional charges, regular payments and charges upon return.

Q3: What is your billing policy?

Before you sign the dotted line and make your first payment, ensure that you fully understand what the contract says about the renter’s billing policy. You don’t want any surprises later on that could add up to some kind of big fee. 

Q4: Who’s responsible for any repairs?

This is an important question and different dealers have different ways of handling the repairs that crop up on a worksite. Be very clear upfront about who is going to get the repairs done and who will pay for it. Also, decide how the equipment will be taken to the repair shop in case the machine needs more repairs than can be provided on-site. Perform a thorough inspection of your construction equipment ahead of time and take note of any scratches, dents, or other problems so you’re not liable for damage you didn’t cause. Take pictures, too!

Q5: Who’s responsible for transportation?

When you’re dealing with construction equipment, even compact models can be difficult to transport. If you don’t have the trailer and tools to do this, the leaser might move the wheel loader to your site for you. The bigger the machine gets, the more important this will be.

Q6: What is your process for changing lease terms?

Even if you don’t end up needing this, it’s good to have any pertinent information on hand. This will help if you want to shorten or extend the rental time, rent other construction equipment from the same dealer, or anything else. Of course, if this kind of issue does arise later on in the project, it’s good to contact the leaser immediately and talk about options.

Q7: What training do my operators need? Will you provide it?

You may have operators that haven’t used a particular piece of construction equipment before or may have worked with a different model, so you need to ask about operator training, either for yourself or your workers. Because the leaser owns the equipment, they might have training programs in place (or, at least, be able to recommend places that you can go to) to ensure the equipment will be used properly and safely.

These are some of the questions you can ask but you can ask any others that’ll help you better understand the construction equipment and the terms and conditions of renting it. If you want worry-free construction equipment rentals, visit Stribling Equipment at one of our dealerships across Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas.