Rent or Buy? Choosing the Best Forklift Strategy for Your Operation

October 01, 2025

Picture this: peak season hits, orders double overnight and suddenly your warehouse feels one forklift short of keeping up.

Do you sign a rental contract, or is it finally time to purchase another truck outright? The truth is, the “right” choice isn’t about owning versus borrowing – it’s about matching your equipment strategy to your workflow.

At MHS Lift, we help companies across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and beyond weigh the pros and cons based on their industry needs – from e-commerce and 3PLs to food processing and manufacturing.

When does renting a forklift make sense?

Renting is often the better choice for:

  • Peak season demand: Retail and e-commerce operations in Q3 and Q4 often see order surges. Rentals allow fleets to scale up quickly.
  • Short-term projects: Construction, facility moves or temporary contracts may not justify a purchase.
  • Budget flexibility: Rentals avoid the upfront cost of ownership.
  • Access to modern equipment: MHS Lift keeps its rental fleet young (average age ~3 years), so customers get safe, efficient machines.

Rentals also include maintenance and service support, which reduces downtime and makes costs more predictable.

When is buying a forklift the smarter option?

Ownership delivers more value for:

  • Daily, long-term use: If forklifts are essential to everyday operations, owning lowers total cost of ownership over time.
  • Customization: Owned trucks can be tailored with attachments, telematics and fleet management tools.
  • Asset value: Equipment ownership adds to company assets and allows for trade-ins when upgrading.
  • Control over availability: No need to worry about seasonal rental shortages.

For companies with stable, ongoing demand, ownership usually provides the lowest cost per operating hour.

MHS Lift often recommends a hybrid strategy: own a core fleet for daily operations and rent additional units during busy seasons.

FAQ

Q1: Is renting more expensive than buying?
A1: Not always. While long-term rentals can cost more, they eliminate upfront purchase costs, cover maintenance and provide flexibility.

Q2: Can I rent specialized forklifts like narrow-aisle or high-reach trucks?
A2: Yes. MHS Lift maintains one of the largest and most diverse rental fleets in the Mid-Atlantic.

Q3: What if I rent but later decide I want to buy?
A3: MHS Lift offers rent-to-own programs, allowing customers to transition rental units into owned assets if needs change.

Q4: How do seasonal industries manage forklift demand?
A4: Industries like e-commerce, food distribution and retail often rent extra units during holiday surges, then return them when volumes drop.

Q5: Does ownership come with support?
A5: Yes. MHS Lift provides preventive and full-maintenance programs to maximize uptime for owned fleets.

Choosing between forklift rental and ownership isn’t one-size-fits-all. MHS Lift has over 50 years of experience helping businesses optimize their fleets with the right mix of rentals, purchases and maintenance programs.

Give us a call today to help find your warehouse solution: (877) 647-9320.