Short-Term vs Long-Term Forklift Hire

There are many things to consider when hiring a forklift, one being how long you need to hire this piece of machinery. Deciding between short-term vs. long-term forklift hire means you should consider your or your business’ budget and purpose. 

 

What is Short-Term Forklift Hire?

Short-term forklift hire may be more appropriate for smaller projects. Essentially, this type of rental agreement gives you the help you need on a temporary basis allowing you to rent a forklift from anywhere between 1 hour and 12 months. These rental periods are best for any business that’s on a slightly tighter budget. 

Short-term forklift rentals require far less financial commitment than long-term rentals and are ideal for those who need an extra machine or two temporarily but don’t want to break the bank by purchasing brand-new equipment. 

 

What is Long-Term Forklift Hire?

Whether you like it or not, owning machinery can cost a pretty penny when it comes time to maintain or repair it. Long-term forklift hire allows you to use this piece of machinery for however long you need without making the same level of financial commitment you would by purchasing a forklift to add to your fleet. The typical rental period for a long-term forklift hire is between 12 months to seven years and sometimes even longer. 

 

The Benefits of Short-Term Forklift Hire

There are several benefits to entering into a short-term forklift hire agreement. These primarily include: 

• Budget-friendly: Short-term forklift hire is easy on the pocket. 
• No maintenance responsibilities: Rental companies will take on all the maintenance responsibilities, so you don’t have to. 
• Safety is prioritised: Because of the stringent maintenance plans laid out by forklift rental companies, you’ll always have equipment that works and is safe to operate. 
• Flexibility: You can use forklifts rented on a short-term basis depending on your business demands. 

 

The Benefits of Long-Term Forklift Hire

Long-term hire is usually the best alternative to buying a new forklift, especially if you plan to use it for the foreseeable future. Benefits of long-term forklift hire include: 

• Consistent costs: Costs won’t go up and down with a long-term agreement. You can budget based on fixed monthly outgoings. 
• No maintenance: Again, your supplier will take on all the responsibility of maintaining your forklift. 
• Reliability: You’ll have access to all the latest models, and your supplier will always ensure your equipment is safe, reducing downtime and resource use. 

 

Which Should You Choose?

Deciding between short-term and long-term forklift hire entirely depends on the scope of your project and your budget. For lower-budget projects where a forklift will only be required for a brief period, short-term hire is perfect. However, for fleet expansions and projects that require consistently reliable machinery, long-term hire may be a better option. 

 

How Alto Handling Can Help With Your Forklift Hire

When you get in touch with Alto Handling, we’ll help you assess the scope of your handling project and provide you with recommendations about our available equipment and rental period options. We provide both short-term and long-term forklift hire for most applications.