Choosing whether to buy or hire generators is a tough decision to make. It’s also one that can have serious economic and practical effects for your business and its ability to serve customers and respond to challenges and unforeseen situations.

Construction firms can benefit from purchasing their generators

We sat down with neXpower – a supplier of generators to companies in residential, commercial, and industrial fields – to learn more about whether it’s best to hire or purchase a generator for your business.

One-off tasks: Why it’s often best to hire

Sometimes, you’ll only need a source of power once or twice a year. Situations that demand a one-off power supply include weddings and other parties, which need an external power source for outdoor catering equipment and entertainment systems.

If you’re hosting an event yourself, you’re often best off renting a generator for use as an outdoor power source. However, venues that frequently host events benefit from purchasing their own generator for use during parties and special events.

Think about the economics of hiring vs. purchasing. If the cost of purchasing is less than the cost of renting based on your projected needs, it’s best to buy. Remember to take into account factors like operational costs and maintenance.

Construction: Why it’s better to buy

No one knows your equipment as well as you do, and purchasing a generator allows you to enjoy the same power source in every setting. Since power isn’t available in all settings, everyone from trades providers to large-scale construction companies can benefit from owning their own generator.

There are some settings, however, where hiring a generator is a better idea. If your contract has specific requirements – for example, a noise clause based on the local regulations – you may be best off renting a quiet or eco-friendly generator to keep compliant with your contract and local requirements.

Tools and Equipment: Hiring large generators

When you use small tools and equipment that uses a resistive load, it’s easy to work out how much power your generator needs to generate. Large tools and equipment, however, can often require a variable amount of power that can strain some of the smaller generators.

If your job involves working with equipment that demands a lot of power, it’s often a good idea to hire generators for specific tasks and equipment. Read the “sizing a generator” section of this guide for more information on how the wattages of your equipment will affect your power needs.

This guide was written by neXpower, one of the UK’s top suppliers of generators for residential, commercial, and industrial use.