The high cost of tools can saw right through a do-it-yourselfer`s savings. Many home improvement projects call for costly equipment to do the job right. The solution: Rent, rather than buy, those expensive tools you use only once or twice.
A well-stocked rental shop can supply anything from simple electric tools, floor sanders, waxers, wheel barrows and ladders to professional paint sprayers, pneumatic drills, welding torches and backhoes.
In many cases, these are the same tools that professional contractors use, says Michael Kupperman, president of Acme Tool and Equipment Rental in Brooklyn. And for the knowledgeable do-it-yourselfer, the savings can be substantial, he notes.
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If you`re having plumbing problems, for instance, rent a plumbing snake to clear interior and main drains ($5 to $30 a day, depending on size) and save the $75 to $150 plumbing fee. If the exterior of your home needs painting, rent a heavy-duty paint sprayer for $80 a day and save the several thousand dollars a painter would charge.
It pays to rent small tools for specialized jobs, too. A carpet kicker, for example, a simple device that stretches carpet to eliminate sags, costs $100 to buy, but $6 to rent.
To get the most from your rental tools, Kupperman offers the following advice.
– Be honest about your capabilities and don`t attempt anything too complex for your level of skill.
– Bigger is not always better, so choose the proper size equipment for the job. A larger tool, which costs more to rent, may be more difficult to use on a small job.
– Most rentals are by the day, so advance preparation can be an important time saver. Remove furniture and moldings before renting a floor sander, for example, and have wood piled up and ready for the wood chipper.
– Be sure you understand what constitutes a rental day (it`s rarely 24 hours). Return equipment even an hour late and you may be charged for an extra day. If your project is complex, weekly or monthly rentals may be cheaper than daily charges.
Although tools for home improvement projects account for the majority of rentals, other items are in demand, too.
Something else you want to rent?
Look through the Yellow Pages under both rentals and the specific category, such as televisions. You`re likely to find a company that rents it.