Since buying our home last year the stuff inside our garage is ever-growing. still we have not more than 20% of the stuff our neighbors (on both sides) have. Though I am trying hard to catch up. Every time I visit Home Depot or Lowes, I come out with a new tool. When I look at the garages of our neighbors, I wonder how often they use some of the tools they have. I think some of them were needed only once. Is it prudent to buy tools even if you need to use it once in your life time? Antoine is a tools enthusiast, who makes a case for renting out some of the tools today. Enjoy this guest post from Antoine.
You might find it surprising, but according to some research studies, it seems that an average tool (including power tools) are used for about 30 to 60 minutes in their lifetime. Sure, you can use a tool for a whole day or perhaps a whole week, but this study was based on the continual usage. Using these things is only a matter of seconds that keep adding up. What happens during the rest of their lifetime? Nothing spectacular. In fact, tools spend more time stored than used, whether they make it to some random toolboxes, garages or workshops.
On a completely different note, more and more people engage into DIY (Do It Yourself) projects. A DIY project provides a rewarding feeling that nothing can beat. Whether you repair your kid’s ride-on horse or you install the garden fence yourself, the result is astonishing, even if it does not look professional. It is your work, so you love in.
(See Also – 51 DIY Home Maintenance Tips)
However, a little research and education can work wonders. If you are the patient type, you will love the possibility to take one step at a time, only to ensure a perfect outcome. After all, there are plenty of tutorials available online, regardless of what you are trying to do.
But in order to do all these, you need the right tools. Indeed, you can improve, yet it does not always work. Improvising implies using the wrong tools and wasting time. Plus, there are situations when you simply cannot obtain the required result. What do you do then? Renting is usually a better and more cost efficient deal than buying. How come?
Saving money and storage space
When you buy power tools, you need a place to store them. The bigger they are, the more space you need. Sometimes, you might need to buy a small shed for them. These kinds of aspects add to their overall maintenance and needs. However, when renting, you only pay per use. You do not need to worry about the storage area.
(Also Read – Cost of an Extra Room in your Home)
No matter how many power tools you require, just get them around the backyard and use them as you need them. If you plan to keep them overnight, make sure that they are protected against weather conditions. Even if you have to store them inside, the overall mess will
last for a day or two only. At this level, saving space means saving money.
Trying new models without spending a fortune
If you think about buying, you probably have a few options:
● Latest and most expensive units
● Used and old products at a cheaper rate
● New and cheap items with a terrible quality
Obviously, the first option is the best, but such an investment is exquisite, especially if you do not need these tools too often. When renting, you have the opportunity to try the latest units in commerce. You do not need to make a commitment of owning.
Perhaps you do not even need them too often anyway. Renting is good even if you plan to buy. It is practically a test drive.
Maintenance – what is that?
Maintenance is what makes power tools expensive. It is one thing to buy them and a different thing to keep them in a perfect shape. Maintenance is not just time consuming, but it can also become expensive. Many parts are rated to be consumables.
Some others are fragile and give up when least expected. Luckily, if you do not use these tools, you no longer need to worry about such things. The trouble and expenses associated with the maintenance will become history. Instead, you have to determine what you need, rent it and return it. Sure, a little cleaning before dropping things back is common sense, yet not always necessary.
Paying for what you need only
Many power tool rental companies charge per day. Some others charge per month, week or hour. It depends on how large these things are, as well as your necessities. At this point, rental becomes your most cost efficient option. You do not want to spend a fortune on a post hole digger or boom lift when you can rent such things for ten times less money. Rental rates depend according to what brand and condition the tools are.
Chances are you will pay slightly more for brand new items. However, the general idea is the same – you pay for what you need only. You do not have to buy, then store things and wait for them to pay for themselves. Chances are it will never happen.
What can influence rental costs
Rental costs can be influenced by several factors, so it is wise to shop around for the best rapport for price and quality. Old and excessively used power tools will cost less than the latest market releases. At the same time, their condition has a word to say in the final price as well.
It is highly recommended to consider the transportation as well. If you have a power tool rental shop nearby and you only require small tools, you can probably carry them with bare hands. But if the shop is too far, you should count the time and gas as well.
The type of power tools you require will add to the final price too. Renting large units implies using a truck. Such things might fill your truck with dirt and grease. In order to skip this discomfort, you should opt for one of those services that provide delivery. They will drop and pick the tools according to your instructions. Once again, such a delivery service will increase the price, but the convenience is exquisite.
Conclusion
In conclusion, renting power tools is usually a more cost efficient unit that buying them. Sure, some may say that buying and using them more times will immortalize the investment, but how many people do that? Unless you actually run a business and you plan to use these tools on a daily basis, making such an investment will only affect your budget.
About the author : This was a guest post from Antoine Rizzotti, who blogs about everyday tools and review them in-depth over at toolsreviewer.com
Great topic! I love a good DIY project, well, most times! We are replacing some old tile with laminate wood flooring and had to rent a floor grinder to remove some thin set. To make a very long and painful story short, we ended up hiring a professional to remove the remaining thin set from the concrete floor. Sometimes it makes more sense to hire a professional who has experience.
Thanks for share the article
Thank you so much.
You are very right that you should only pay for what you need. This way, you won’t be stressed with keeping something an extra day or two. I know that if I was to do some heavy DIY projects, I would have to go out and rent some tools. I don’t own them and neither do a lot of people. Plus, it gives you experience with the tools come the day you do decide to buy them yourself.
I think we all know somebody that picks up a hobby, gets a bunch of tools, then changes his mind and decides to move on. It’s also important to think about what you really need… is a band saw necessary, or would a coping saw work just fine?
This is very insightful, especially for the “impulsive” DIYer. I have seen a lot of folks buy all the gadgets to use but let it rot inside the garage after getting tired of doing things DIY.
Thank goodness somebody brought this up! I mean, especially in a world where more and more DIYers emerge – the common path is to buy tools. Which might not be necessary or cost-effective in the long run. I always borrow the uncommon tools I know I may need maybe once in a blue moon and invest on those I know I will frequently use.
I feel like renting is the best idea for freelance workers and buying for people who have a stable income, because if work is slow, you can skip saving that difference for the moment, but if work is good, you can save enough to keep up.
Tool rental doesn’t just apply to larger outdoor power equipment. Many shops also rent power hand tools like drills and circular saws.