Floor Cleaning Equipment: Everything You Need to Know About Renting vs. Buying

Welcome back, folks! Another week, another hot topic on the blog. This is a question I’m often asked and it’s one I’m happy to answer. I believe in giving my customers all the information they need to make smart janitorial decisions, especially when it comes to investing in floor cleaning equipment.

Paul, a long-time customer of mine, recently approached me with a burning question. As a facilities manager at a medium-sized building, Paul found that traditional elbow grease wasn’t cutting it anymore. He wanted to explore his options and look at some of powered floor cleaning machines we sell at Glen Martin Limited.

I was happy to show him equipment I thought would be just right for the job, but Paul’s final question was one I’ve heard many times over:

“Should I rent floor cleaning equipment, lease it, or purchase it?”

Today, I’m going to let you in on exactly what I told Paul — there’s lots of factors to consider in order to know what decision is right for you and the cleanliness of your facilities, but don’t fret; it’s my job to walk you through it.

So let’s get to the good stuff! Here are answers to the top 5 questions I receive about renting versus buying floor cleaning equipment:

1. What are the benefits of buying janitorial floor cleaning equipment?

If you’re cleaning regularly and often, buying is best. You’ll have the cleaning equipment you need at your disposal without having to worry if your machine of choice is available or not.

Having unlimited access to floor cleaning equipment means you’re likely cleaning more often, thus equalling cleaner facilities. This can save you your reputation and time spent restoring floors in the long run.

2. What are the benefits of renting janitorial floor cleaning equipment?

Customers who rent rather than buy usually only need floor cleaning equipment for a short time. These customers might do a large-scale cleanup every couple of months, or rent a machine to clean up after a completed job — I see this most often in the construction industry.

Others might rent to save on labour costs. Auto scrubbers can get the job done in a fraction of the time it can take a cleaning crew.

3. What are the most popular floor cleaning machines that people rent through Glen Martin Limited?

Here’s a quick list:

• Sweepers
• Carpet cleaners
• Floor scrubbers
• Battery auto scrubbers

4. When would you suggest renting or leasing floor cleaning equipment over buying?

As I mentioned earlier, if a customer is only using the machine for a brief period of time, I suggest taking the renting route.

Some customers will use a rental period as a trial before purchase. Then they can get feedback from their staff and operators after they’ve had a chance to work with the equipment. Finding the right fit is important when it comes to janitorial equipment.

For customers who can’t afford the capital investment up front, leasing is an ideal way to keep up with cleaning in a fast and efficient way.

5. How does the Glen Martin Limited cleaning equipment rental/leasing process work?

It’s simple! Just contact our knowledgeable staff and sales team to help you to find the cleaning equipment that’s right for the job. Janitorial equipment rental periods operate on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis, so you can choose what’s right for you. On delivery, expect a thorough training session from our staff to show you how to get the most out of your rental.

Need cleaning supplies to go along with the equipment you’ll be renting or leasing? We’ve got you covered — Glen Martin Limited is a one-stop shop that saves you the time and aggravation of sourcing multiple products from numerous retailers.

Still have a pressing question that needs an answer? As the leading supplier of janitorial supplies, cleaning equipment and solutions in Barrie, I do my best to share my knowledge and expertise. You can reach me on Facebook and Twitter.

‘Til next time, keep it clean!