Boom lifts are also known as man lifts, aerial work platforms, or cherry pickers. Regardless of the term used, these aerial lifts help your workers finish their tasks at height safely and quickly. Cranes and other types of heavy equipment cannot match their efficiency for such tasks. However, you cannot buy all the units required for your projects.
They are already expensive; the cost further rises due to ongoing maintenance and storage. That’s why you may prefer to rent them whenever needed. Whether you need them frequently or occasionally, there is a boom truck rental cost to consider, which can affect your overall operational expenses.
Various platforms offer them for rent. You begin accruing daily, weekly, or monthly rental costs the moment a unit arrives on your site. How do you ensure your rental fee is affordable and that you are not overcharged? Basic knowledge of the factors that affect rental pricing can be helpful. Let’s get into them.
Types of Truck-Mounted Boom Lifts
Telescopic and articulating boom lifts are the most common options. Telescopic lifts offer straight-up access, enabling them to reach greater predetermined heights and horizontal distances. They are well-suited for outdoor work areas. You can use them for utility line work, skyscraper construction, industrial maintenance jobs, and more. Knuckle or articulating boom lifts allow the boom to bend and navigate different obstacles effectively.
You cannot expect this flexibility from telescopic booms. You can rent them when working close to building overhangs or in compact job sites. Typically, articulating boom lifts can cost 10–20% more than telescopic lifts for the same reach requirements due to their more intricate components. If you need to use a boom lift in an open area with sufficient clearance at the work site, consider a telescopic model to save on your rental cost.
Other Contributing Factors
You pay considerably less for a weekly rental than for a daily rental and save even more by opting for monthly rates. Weekly rates can help you save 50–60% of your rental cost, and monthly rates can enable you to save nearly 70% or more. You already know that lift height can be a significant cost factor. But did you know that you may pay about USD $100–USD $300 more per day for every additional 20 feet of reach? Before renting, calculate your working height requirement to avoid unnecessary expenses. You can estimate this by adding roughly 6 feet to the standing reach provided by a lift’s platform height.
It is also important to consider the power source of aerial lifts. Diesel models can cost 15–25% more in rental fees than electric boom lifts of the same height. However, electric models are best suited for indoor environments and flat surfaces; diesel units are ideal for rough terrain. Other factors to consider include delivery and return costs, damage waivers, seasonal demand, lift size, and more. If you book your equipment during the low season, you can save 10–20% on your rental.
Some companies believe ownership can be a better decision. While this makes sense in certain scenarios, rental options are generally the better choice to avoid expensive upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses. Typically, renting heavy equipment like boom lifts can be helpful if you need them for fewer than 150 days a year for projects requiring work at different heights. Rental options work especially well for painters, facility maintenance crews, electricians, and general contractors. For an affordable, easy rental experience, visit https://www.bladeplatforms.com/.
