Some DIY tool item might be better hire than possess — here ’s why .
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summertime is the staring time torefresh your household , but toll can quickly mount , specially when it comes to materials and tools . A lesser - known nest egg tactic among DIYers is renting tools that are only used once in a while rather than buy them . From pressure level automatic washer to power saws , your project might call for the one - clip use of a bulky and expensive tool that you have no space to stack away after the projection is done . Luckily , most local hardware stores rent out a wide raiment of heavy - responsibility equipment for a fraction of the leverage cost . Read on to learn all about what renovation expert have to say about this cost - saving method acting .

Credit:Getty Images / coldsnowstorm
Tools to Rent Instead of Buy
For seasonal , one - off , or large - scale project , renting often makes better sentience ( and cents ) than buying . Here are the tools expert say to borrow this renovation time of year .
Pressure Washers
If there ’s one project that mark the start of summer , it’spressure washables patios , decks , siding , and driveways . But buying a pressure sensation automatic washer might not be the overbold choice for the average householder . menage restoration expert Monika Zasada says , " Are you really force washing your star sign twice a season ? No , you ’re probably doing it every few class , depending on where you survive . "
eminent - calibre force per unit area washers can cost several hundred dollars , and salt away them call for considerable service department or shed space . Renting one from a hardware store or your local peter center can cost anywhere from $ 50 to $ 100 per day , depending on the modelling . Plus , there ’s no pauperization to interest about upkeep or storage . Zasada says renting is a saucy way to displace welter and avoid have a bountiful token you do n’t use often take up essential space .
Tillers and Excavators
Lawn regaining , garden seam expanding upon , orinstalling a new veg patchrequires equipment that can delve mystifying , like tillers . These powerful tools can cover a lot of ground quickly , but are seldom worth bribe for residential use of goods and services . Joe Raboine , vice president of design at Oldcastle APG , says it ’s also smart to rent tools like a minuscule sideslip steer that can easy dig up and course country , as the ordinary householder might use it only once or twice a year . Compact cultivator rent for around $ 50 to $ 70 per day , while skid steers can range from $ 150 to $ 400 per day , depend on the sizing and attachment .
Buying these tools outright can be anywhere from $ 500 for canonical model to over $ 30,000 for a larger , more advanced one , not include maintenance or transportation . " If you plan the project forwards of clip and ascertain all materials are onsite , renting tools can be a game - auto-changer , " Raboine says . With renting , you get professional - level performance without the price tag or the reposition committal .
Compaction and Cutting Tools
Hardscape projectsoften require specialised tools like plateful compactors and wet tile adage — train that ’s too expensive to buy for just one usance . " For hardscape projects , compaction tools such as plate compactors and edit tools will make the job much well-heeled , " Raboine explain . Renting a photographic plate compactor typically cost between $ 50 and $ 100 per daylight , while purchasing one can dress you back $ 1,000 or more . These machine also tend to be bulky , loud , and grievous — another reason they ’re better borrowed than buy .
If you ’re not a pro at these types of projects , rive commercial - grade tools and schedule the study to be nail by professional person . This jazz band can help you get the job done right and safely for a fraction of the price .
Consider the Price vs. Value
When it comes to renting , the numbers speak for themselves . Raboine points out that rental creature are usually fairly cheap to rent per mean solar day or hebdomad ; the real value , though , lies in skipping a major upfront investment for something you ’ll scantily employ . A imperativeness washing machine can cost $ 250–$600 to buy , while lease one may cost $ 50 for a few hours . That ’s an 80 % savings if you only need it once a year .
likewise , rentals usually need just a basic cleaning before returning them to the storage . You do n’t have to soundly scavenge every corner and cranny , as you would if you owned it . For the metre - conscious DIYer , there is economic value in make a clean motorcar to apply and not having to worry much about cleanup after the project is finally done .
Where to Rent and What to Expect
Many major computer hardware store chains offer on-line reservation and in - store tone arm for everything fromstump grindersto rental trucks . Some also provide speech and pickup arm overhaul for larger machine that only a pro should transferral , or that would n’t easily suit in most vehicles . Local garden centers might also have landscaping equipment rentals usable .
Most rental offer flexible daily , weekend , or hebdomadal pricing . Before you book , assess the entire labor and aim to complete all the employment requiring that tool within the allotted period . It might not be simple to extend your renting , especially if someone else has reserve it right after your booking reason .
Non-Monetary Reasons to Rent
The financial rescue are compelling , but there are other reason to rent tools , especially for complex or one - meter projects . reposition space is one important factor , as Zasada stresses the practicality of invalidate bulky equipment that sit unused for years .
Another overlooked benefit is expertise . Many rental centers offer guidance , demos , or even digital tutorials on how to utilize specific instrument safely . Instead of just complete your projection , you also gain skills and make remembering , and that knowledge can be invaluable .
The final reason to rent is safety . Many shaft come with their own set of hazards , and by from hurt because of improper use , computer memory can also present problem . In some households , keep sharp tools away from kids and pets , or heavy creature from come down off shelves or rampart mounts , might be the top priority . Renting lets you enjoy top - of - the - line equipment in the here and now and readily transfer it from your property thereafter .