Questions To Ask Before Renting Construction Equipment

You have the contract. You have a plan. But, that doesn’t mean you are ready to rent construction equipment just yet. Before you can get to work, there are critical questions you must ask yourself to ensure your project is completed on time and within budget. At Central Power Systems & Services, we recommend answering the following and working closely with our rental team to ensure your project doesn’t end up running off the rails.

What’s Your Budget?

Knowing how much you can spend is crucial for any project. Naturally, the longer you need the equipment, the more it will cost. Confirming cash on hand is the first step, but you must also be confident that cash flow won’t dry up before project completion.

What Equipment Do You Need (and When Do You Need It?)

Your project planning should determine which machinery is required for each project stage. The more accurate you are with scheduling your construction equipment rentals, the more efficient and smooth your work. In addition to ensuring you have the right equipment on hand, you will also help reduce the risk of renting equipment that sits idle on the worksite.

What Potential Delays Do You Face?

Weather conditions, labor shortages, delayed permits, regulatory oversight, supply shortages, environmental issues, and other factors can delay construction. Careful consideration of potential disruptions to the construction schedule helps ensure that your rental period is sufficient for your needs.

Who Is Responsible for Maintenance & Repairs?

Never take possession of a construction equipment rental without first confirming who is responsible for maintaining and repairing the machine. Whether you rent a ladder or a front-end loader, verify the process and procedures required to keep the equipment in proper working order.

Who Will Operate the Equipment?

Heavy equipment rentals require heavy-duty skills to safely and effectively operate. Therefore, before renting construction equipment, please verify that your selected personnel have the skills, experience, and expertise required to put it to practical use on the construction site.

Is the Equipment Suitable For Your Jobsite?

Every construction site is different, and you will want to confirm that the machinery is suitable for the soil, climate, and site conditions you expect to encounter. Whether it runs on tracks or tires, choosing the wrong equipment can leave the machine stuck in the dirt.

Who Is Responsible For Transport?

Will the construction rental company deliver the machine to your location and retrieve it upon completion of the rental period, or are you responsible for pick up and drop off?

Can You Swap The Rental For a More Suitable Option?

It is not always possible to determine whether a machine is a good or bad fit until it is put to work on the construction site. If you end up with a machine that doesn’t deliver the performance you require, you may need to swap it out for a more effective option. Confirm with the rental company whether this is possible and the procedure for swapping equipment.

Are You Insured?

Never take possession of construction equipment rentals before confirming that it is covered by the rental company or your own insurer. Additionally, verify the insurance policy coverage limits and the procedure for filing claims.

When you need construction equipment rentals, the Central Power Systems & Services team can help! Contact us to speak with our rental agents and get answers to the questions that will help ensure your rental is precisely what you need, when you need it, and where you need it to work!