Questions to Ask When Renting Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment is expensive. There’s no mincing those words, and it’s not exactly a secret. But heavy equipment can also be vital to certain projects and vastly improve efficiency. If you’re looking to use a particular piece of equipment, but don’t want to take the ultimate ownership plunge, then consider contacting RECO Equipment about renting heavy equipment. We’ve even provided some essential questions to ask so you have all the information you need for a successful rental period. We proudly serve those in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and beyond, so stop by one of our many locations to check out what’s available to you.
What Item Would Improve Your Work?
Of course, you’ll want to start by thinking about what it is you need in the first place. Keep in mind, this is a good question to get the equipment provider involved in. After all, they know quite a bit about the machines, so it makes sense they’d have a good idea of what you need. Even if they personally don’t have an answer, they can probably find someone who does.
What Are the Rental Rates?
You’ll also definitely want to ask about rental rates. Granted, this isn’t just about monthly rates. You’ll need to know about upfront fees, additional charges, and return charges to get a complete idea of the total cost.
What’s the Billing Policy?
When figuring out what the bill is going to look like, also figure out how you’re going to get it. Don’t get caught by a late fee because you were waiting for a paper bill that never came.
Who’s Responsible for Repairs?
The longer you rent a piece of equipment, the more important this is going to be. Between regular maintenance and surprise breaks, there’s a lot of care that goes into operating a piece of heavy equipment. Establish which party is in charge of which fixes and who’s going to pay for it.
Also, when you receive the machine, perform a thorough inspection of the entire thing. Make note of all scratches, dings, and larger concerns, so you aren’t billed for problems you weren’t responsible for.
Who’s Responsible for Transport?
Heavy equipment requires special transportation accommodations, since you can’t very well throw it in the back of your pickup. Many rental places transport their equipment to your worksite, but this isn’t true across the board. It’s best to clarify how the equipment will get to you and who will be responsible for that cost.
What’s the Process for Changing Rental Terms?
You may not need to use this information, but you should still ask about it. Sometimes rental terms change on your end and sometimes they change on the provider’s end. If you need to change the terms, such as changing the timeline or looking into other equipment, you’ll want to know how to best go about this.
What Training is Required and Provided?
Some machinery requires specialized handling and training. Even if it’s not legally required, the party that owns the equipment might have higher expectations about your operating experience. First, you’ll want to ask what those expectations are so you’re aware of what’s expected of you.
Then, if you don’t have anyone who meets the qualifications, ask if they provide any training, or if they have programs they work with that will train the operators. There’s a good chance they’ll at least have some program they recommend as it’s in their best interest to ensure all those operating their equipment are fully prepared.
With the right questions, you and the heavy equipment provider can trust that the rental period will go smoothly and you can focus on getting your work done. If you’re looking for a place that provides some of the best heavy equipment rentals in your area, contact your local RECO Equipment dealership and ask what we have available right now. We have locations all across the mid-west and eastern United States, including in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.