National nonresidential construction spending increased by 1.9% during the month of April, according to a report published by the U.S. Census Bureau that was associated with an analysis conducted by the Associated Builders and Contractors. Non-residential spending totaled $1.05 trillion when seasonally adjusted.

Further data released estimated that construction job openings are expected to increase by at least 68,000 by the end of April. Data was based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Job Turnover Survey.

A job opening is any unfilled position that an employer is recruiting for. While job openings have increased this year, they are down by 35,000 openings for the same month last year. Looking toward the reset of the year, many experts expect the number of job openings to continue to climb because construction projects are still in demand, and with infrastructure projects slated throughout the country, there will be more openings for construction workers.

Nonresidential Projects

While residential construction is down, there is still a need for workers to handle nonresidential construction projects. The number of manufacturing construction jobs continue to increase as do the number of nonresidential projects as a whole. Infrastructure jobs also require a number of construction workers  to complete the job.

If you are managing a construction site or running a business, having the right heavy equipment is mandatory. But there are two ways in which you can get your hand on great equipment: buying or renting it. While both of them have their advantages and disadvantages, in our article you will discuss the pros and cons of renting heavy equipment.

If you already have decided that renting the equipment is the best option for you, then we recommend learning more about one of the equipment rental service firms with the largest presence in North America, Herz Equipment Rental. For more info on the types of Hertz equipment rental services, rates, insurance options, rental locations, and more, visit the linked article. Now, let’s see what the pros and cons of renting heavy equipment are.

The Pros

1. Latest and best

Having the latest and best heavy equipment on the market can be the key to a thriving business. But unless you have a fortune lying around, then it is impossible to purchase all the latest equipment.

By renting, you enjoy updated technology while avoiding getting stuck with old, outdated equipment that doesn’t belong in your workplace. Your employees will be happy to work with the latest gear and they will be able to learn to use multiple types of equipment, which will turn them into real professionals.

2. Small, regular payments

You probably know the saying “Don’t spend all of your money in one place”. Well, that is what happens when you buy heavy equipment instead of renting it. When you rent equipment, you won’t have to pay a huge sum of money at once. Instead, you will pay small, regular amounts of money. This is best for organized business owners as they can make the payments on the same day every week or month.

Also, you can rent a piece of equipment for different periods. You can rent it for a small project, for a month or more. Different companies accept different types of payment. This should be discussed upfront with the person in charge of renting the equipment. Get the best deal for you.

3. Maintenance

Another important pro for renting heavy equipment is that some companies include maintenance in their services. This means that, if a tool breaks due to normal use, the company that rented the equipment is responsible for repairing it. However, not all companies offer free-of-charge maintenance, so do your research before renting it.

The Cons

1. Total Cost

The total cost of renting heavy equipment depends entirely on the period of time you want to rent it. For instance, if you need the equipment for a month, the cost can be very low, so you’ll be better off renting the equipment. On the other hand, if you plan to use the equipment for several years, the total cost could be bigger than the actual price of the equipment. Renting is best for small projects or for short periods of time.

2. Can’t get your money back

Another problem with renting is that you don’t get any part of the investment back. When you purchase a piece of equipment and you keep it in good shape, you have a high probability of selling it and gaining at least a part of the investment back. When renting, this is impossible because you don’t own the equipment.

3. Availability

If you want to rent, then get prepared to settle for a different model of equipment than the one you had in mind. Although rental companies update their inventory from time to time, it is impossible for them to have all models, brands, and types of equipment. So, when renting, try not to have a brand in their mind.

Most of the time you will be forced to settle for the model of equipment the rental company has. Also, you can wait for the equipment to be available, but that might not be an option if you have a project already.

Renting or buying heavy equipment can be tricky because both options come with pros and cons. However, think about the period of time you plan on using the equipment, the costs, and the equipment you are mainly interested in. If you want something big, cheap, and for a short period of time, then renting is the best option. If you need the equipment for a longer period of time and you seek a certain model or brand, you should consider purchasing it.

As bad as things get with the economy and the threat of jobs leaving the United States for other lands, there’s one thing that can still be counted on and that’s a great career when you get the right truck driver training. And there’s one place that’s miles ahead of the competition when it comes to getting you the kind of certification that will land you a job.
Associated Training Services
There’s really only one place that can get you the kind of top notch truck driver that you need and that’s right here at Associated Training Services. First of all you want to know that the place that you finally choose will have all the necessary connections to help you get a job as well. And that’s where ATS shines.
With a database of over 10,000 trucking companies they are sure to be able to find the one that’s right for you.
Hands On
And they’ve got all the angles covered. When your done with the course they provide you’ll be ready to get behind the wheel with confidence. Why? Because they have both the classroom instruction and the hands on training that you need. And the people at ATS are sensitive to the tough economic times as well.
That’s why they’ve got the financing that you might need to get started as an equipment operator. All in all, this is the place that has the complete package that you’ll need to get started in that new career as a truck driver or any other of the heavy equipment operators categories that are offered here.