Should You Rent Or Buy Your Next Pressure Washer?

Posted on: 29 July 2016

If you've found yourself looking at your vehicles, siding, or deck with a critical eye recently, you may be wondering whether it's time to purchase a pressure washer of your own. However, with the relatively cheap rental rates offered by many lawn and garden supply stores, renting a pressure washer can be an enticing prospect when faced with a three- or four-digit purchase price for a new model. What factors should you take into account when deciding whether rental or purchase is the better financial decision for your household? Read on for a more detailed list of the factors you'll want to consider when debating the repeated rental or one-time purchase of a pressure washer.

Storage

Although most pressure washers are fairly small and portable, you'll want to ensure you have enough space to store one before you make a purchase. For those who opt for a gasoline-powered model, you'll want space in your garage (or a well-ventilated basement), as storing this appliance in your house could allow it to emit potentially harmful fumes or even generate potentially harmful levels of carbon monoxide if it's inadvertently switched on in an improperly ventilated area. By contrast, those with adequate garage storage space should have no issues with the purchase and long-term storage of a pressure washer.

Frequency and extent of use

It can be a good idea to hose down your vinyl siding, deck, patio, and other outdoor features at least once a year -- and the more of these you have, the better you're able to justify the purchase rather than rental of a pressure washer. For those with large wooden decks that require regular washing and refinishing, or those with a large vinyl-covered house susceptible to moss overgrowth, purchase may make sense; but for those who utilize a pressure washer for just a few discrete tasks, a short-term rental may be all that is needed to achieve one's pressure-washing goals.

Cash flow

Sometimes, the interest you'll pay by putting an item like a pressure washer on your credit card can far exceed the benefit you'll realize from this piece of equipment -- especially when rental rates are so inexpensive. If you don't have the cash flow to finance a purchase this year, you may want to continue renting until you can save up these funds without having to pay interest or siphon money from other earmarked budget items. In most cases, you'll be able to get more than enough use out of a purchased pressure washer to offset any rental rates you've paid during leaner years.

For more information, contact industrial equipment companies, like Boyce Industries.

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