6 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Forklift Rental in Houston

July 5, 2021

Renting a forklift Renting forklift in Houston

by Large Lift Trucks

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Do you own a business that involves frequently lifting heavy equipment? If so, then you’re probably in need of a forklift or two to lessen the load.

Now you have to decide between whether it makes sense for you to rent your forklift or to purchase one for you to use from now on. The answer depends on your circumstance.

There are several questions that you can ask that will help you choose the best forklift rental in Houston, as well as a place to buy from. Be sure to consider these questions as you start your search.

Do you own a business that involves frequently lifting heavy equipment? If so, then you’re probably in need of a forklift or two to lessen the load.

Now you have to decide between whether it makes sense for you to rent your forklift or to purchase one for you to use from now on. The answer depends on your circumstance.

Table of Contents

1. How Often Do You Need to Lift Heavy Equipment?

As previously mentioned, you’ll first want to consider how often you’ll be needing a forklift for your company. Depending on the frequency, it might make more sense to buy one for your business to have.

The answer to this question can be found in your business model. Are your workers required to move around heavy items each day? Is there a use for the forklift at least once or twice a week?

If so, it can get repetitive (and expensive) to rent a forklift for use each week. If you have a constant need for one, then buying a forklift makes more sense than renting one. If you only need one every so often, then renting is your course of action.

2. How Much Weight Do You Need to Lift?

Different forklifts have different weight capacities. While the average forklift can lift to 5,000 pounds, you won’t want to assume that before you rent.

For that reason, there are two questions to ask here. First, how much weight do you need the forklift to carry? Secondly, make sure to ask the forklift provider how much weight does their forklifts carry.

Finding the right amount of weight can help you save on costs. For example, say you only need around 2,000 pounds lifted. Rather than paying extra for a heavy-duty forklift that lifts 5,000 pounds, you can rent one that lifts 3,000 for less money.

It’s an effective question that will help you monitor your budget and increase your cash flow management tactics.

3. What Kind of Forklift Should You Rent?

You partially answered this question by asking how much weight you need to lift. But there are still many different factors that indicate what type of forklift you need.

This question can be answered with several smaller questions. For example, will you be using the forklift outside at all? How much space do you have in your warehouse for the forklift to turn? How long do you need the forklift’s forks to be?

If you’ll be using your forklift outside, what kind of tires do you need it to have? Are there any extra attachments you need the forklift to have? The answers to these questions will help you determine the exact forklift that you need.

4. How Long Do You Need the Forklift?

Okay, so maybe you don’t have a frequent enough need for the forklift to justify buying it. But for the times you do need a forklift, you’re going to need it for an extended period of time.

You might have several needs for the forklift that can all be accomplished by renting it for longer. Maybe you have a project that you’ll need a forklift for the entirety of.

Whatever the case might be, be sure to communicate the timeline of the project with the company you rent the forklift from. Make sure that the length of that rental doesn’t include charging you extra fees or charges that you weren’t aware of.

Of course, the longer you’re renting it for, the more you should expect to pay. But make sure you receive a final quote that contains all charges. That way, you can budget for the project accordingly.

5. Do You Have an Employee Trained to Operate the Forklift?

You might not have realized it, but to safely operate a forklift, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that the operator be certified.

If you already have someone on staff that’s trained and certified to operate a forklift, then you’re all set. If not, then be sure to have someone complete the training as needed.

You might consider training one or two people, or possibly more depending on work shifts and availability. Talk with your workforce to see who might be interested in training to operate the forklift, then go from there.

6. How Can You Power the Forklift?

Different forklifts are charged and powered in different ways. Some forklifts have a charging feature. Others have internal combustion that requires fuel (or diesel) in order to operate.

The kind of forklift that you choose will play a factor in the total cost of renting. Both offer an efficient way to operate the necessary power.

Be sure to consider whether an electric or fuel-powered forklift makes more sense for your needs. There are extra costs to each, so don’t let price dictate this decision too much.

Choose Your Provider for a Forklift Rental in Houston

Now that you’ve seen the several questions you need to ask, it’s time to find the right provider for your forklift rental in Houston.

Be sure to read this article on forklift load capacity to learn more about the type of forklift you’ll need for your project.

For more inquiries, please feel free to reach out via our contact us page and we’ll be happy to assist you further!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FORKLIFT INVENTORY

Common Questions about Choosing a forklift Rental

How long can I rent a forklift?

Rental duration can vary based on your project needs. Discuss your timeline with the rental company to avoid unexpected fees and ensure the quote includes all charges.