Due to their durable design and capability for heavy loads, forklifts have become indispensable in the warehousing and construction industries, but Sammy Blackmore notes that you don’t always have to own one.

A forklift is a high power industrial truck that is used to lift and move objects when it isn’t humanly feasible to do so. As their popularity increases, many businesses are now opting to rent instead of own forklifts. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Financial Flexibility
Is it really feasible to purchase a forklift? It probably is, but only if it is being used on a daily basis. If not, there really is no point to it. The company’s assets will likely be stuck in that single investment. Considering that forklifts can cost upwards of $10,000, that’s a huge chunk of capital that can’t be let go easily, when needed.
Unless the forklift is absolutely crucial in day-to-day operations, one can save by simply renting a forklift, keeping the funds and investing them in something else.

One can save by renting a forklift
2. Availability
Forklift hire services are perfect for projects that have undetermined start and end dates. When the need suddenly arises, a forklift can be sent right away. Likewise, when it is no longer needed, you call it a day and pay only for the duration it was utilised.

Additionally, equipment failure is covered by the provider. They will send over a new forklift right away - with no added charges incurred. Simply put, uptime is 100% guaranteed.

3. No Hassle
Maintaining a forklift is no walk in the park. First off, one will need a decently sized warehouse or open area to keep the forklift in when it is not in use. Second, someone who knows and is authorised to operate the forklift should be on the payroll so that they can be deployed whenever needed. In most cases, a certified operator will need to be hired.
These problems are non-existent when one avails of forklift hire services. The forklift is delivered to the site as soon as all the papers have been arranged. The provider will simply haul it when the lease is over. The same also holds true for the operator. While the operator is sometimes optional, some providers also include it as a complete package.

The costs involved with hiring an operator greatly overshadow that of renting. These operators not only need to be skilled and experienced but also certified by the corresponding organisations. If it is just for a one-off project, it is much more convenient to just rent an operator alongside the forklift. Not only is it cheaper, they also bring a lot more to the table such as familiarity with the exact forklift model and familiarity with the provider’s policies.

4. No Maintenance Costs
Forklifts will grow expensive over time. With continued use and normal wear and tear, maintenance costs can prove to be a significant expense. While unknown to many, there are a lot of companies that have gone bankrupt trying to maintain their fleet of industrial machines. This is because when there is downtime and a clear excess of these, they are more trouble than they’re worth.

5. Safety and Legal Issues
The local government is sure to have enacted several laws that govern forklift and other heavy machinery use. If you are not careful, you could get in trouble with the law and end up being fined. By leasing a forklift, the contract is between you and the provider. They will be the ones to face the government in the event that there are gaps in their service.

Forklift hire services are very convenient and cost-effective. With lease periods ranging from one day to several months, you get to enjoy the full benefits of forklifts without shelling out the funds for one.