The decision of whether or not to purchase or rent a generator will depend on a variety of factors, and there is no one correct answer. In general, whether you choose to buy or rent will come down to the immediacy of your power generation needs, your budget, and whether or not you anticipate needing a generator again in the immediate to near-term future. These factors control many purchases you may make in life, but they are especially pertinent for big-ticket, seldom-used items.

Purchasing a Generator

Pros
Purchasing a generator comes with several upsides. For one thing, it enables you to select exactly the kind of generator that fits your needs. You aren’t limited to what your chosen company is able to rent out that day. Depending on your budget, this means that you aren’t forced to make any compromises. The generator is yours and will be forever, so you can get exactly what it is that you want.

Additionally, once you’ve purchased your generator, you’ve already spent the money. You don’t need to worry about any recurring fees, and any restrictions on modification, placement, or setup. If something happens, your generator is already there and ready to go. You don’t need to wait for a company to deliver it to you, and set it up. You constantly have peace of mind that your generator will be there when you need it to be.

Cons
One of the biggest cons of purchasing a generator is the relatively large upfront cost. If you only require one a couple of times a year, or even just once for an event, or otherwise don’t have need of a steady source of backup power, it may not make sound economic sense to purchase a generator. Additionally, when you purchase a generator, you are responsible for all of the maintenance going forward. If something goes wrong with your unit, you simply can’t call the company for a complimentary, out-of-warranty repair. You may also be responsible for setting up your unit. You will also be responsible for all fuel and other associated costs

Renting a Generator

Pros
If you only use a generator a handful of times out of the year and don’t require a constantly available source of backup power, renting a generator can be a wonderfully economical option. You’ll spend less money, and won’t be responsible for delivery, set up, or ongoing maintenance of the unit. The company may even pick up the unit once your rental term is over, making rental extremely convenient for the end user as well.

Cons
Because the unit does not belong to you as your personal property, you may be limited in what you can do with it. The company may impose limits on placement and duration of use. You also won’t be able to modify the unit to better meet your needs. You may also be limited in selection to what the company currently has on offer, and may need to make power capacity or generation compromises.

The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, only you can decide whether purchase or rental makes sense for your situation. GenTech's power generation experts can help. Contact us today to discuss your options.