Why buy a scrubber instead of renting?
Buying a scrubber offers long-term benefits versus renting, especially for businesses with regular cleaning needs. You benefit from lower overall costs, complete flexibility in use, no monthly rental obligations and ownership advantages such as depreciation. For intensive daily use, buying is usually more economical than scrubber rentals.
Why do companies consider buying a scrubber rather than renting?
More and more companies are choosing to use a buy scrubber instead of renting because of the growing need for cost control and operational certainty. This trend is emerging as companies look to optimize their cleaning processes without relying on outside parties.
The key considerations in this decision are financial predictability and operational control. Companies want fixed expenses rather than fluctuating lease obligations, especially when they need daily industrial floor cleaning.
In addition, availability plays an important role. With your own machine, you don't have to wait for deliveries or consider rental periods. You can respond immediately to cleaning needs without external constraints.
What are the financial benefits of buying a scrubber?
The financial benefits of buying a scrubber become especially apparent with regular use. Over time, you will have recouped the purchase cost compared to renting.
When you buy, you no longer pay monthly rental obligations, which helps your cash flow. Scrubbers are available in several categories, from compact walk-behind scrubbers to professional ride-on scrubbers, each with its own level of investment.
Ownership also offers tax advantages. You can depreciate the machine over several years and benefit from investment tax credits. This significantly lowers your total investment compared to the tax treatment of rental expenses.
| Period | Buy | Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Short term | One-time investment + maintenance | Monthly obligations |
| Medium-term | Maintenance costs only | Continuing rental obligations |
| Long-term | Maintenance costs only | Substantial total expenditure |
What flexibility does owning your own scrubber offer?
Having your own scrubber gives you full operational freedom without dependence on landlords. You can use it at your convenience, without regard to availability or reservations.
You have the ability to make adjustments and modifications that perfectly suit your specific cleaning needs. This can range from special brushes to customized cleaning agents for your type of floors.
The maintenance schedule is up to you. You can schedule preventive maintenance at times that are most convenient for your operations. This prevents unexpected downtime during busy periods.
Moreover, you can use it for different locations within your company or even for external projects, which can create additional value.
How do you choose the right scrubber for your business?
Selecting the right scrubber starts with determining your floor area and frequency of use. For small areas, a walk-behind scrubber is usually sufficient, while larger areas are cleaned more efficiently with ride-on scrubbers.
Important factors to consider:
- Working width: different options available depending on your spaces
- Battery type: lead acid (low-cost), gel (maintenance-free) or lithium (flexible)
- Tank capacity: determines how long you can work continuously
- Floor type: tile, vinyl, wood or stone require specific brushes
Well-known brands such as Tennant, Nilfisk, Hako, Fimap and Comac offer reliable quality. There are also cost-effective alternatives such as the Meijer brand, which focuses on user-friendliness and good value.
Also consider cleaning capacity. Modern machines can clean significant areas per hour, which is important for large commercial properties.
When is renting a scrubber still the better choice?
Scrubber rental remains the sensible choice for short-term projects, seasonal use or when you want to test different machine types before investing.
Situations in which renting is more advantageous:
- Short-term projects
- Limited budgets without room for investment
- Uncertainty about future cleaning needs
- Need for different machine types for different projects
- Preferred all-in service packages including maintenance
Renting also offers advantages when you want to try out new technologies without investing directly. You can test different brands and models to make the best choice for a later purchase.
For companies that value flexibility over long-term savings, leasing remains an attractive option with predictable monthly expenses.
Key considerations when choosing between buying and renting scrubbers
The decision between buying and renting depends on your specific business situation and long-term strategy. Use this checklist to make the right choice:
Choose to buy when:
- You clean daily or several times a week
- You want fixed cleaning expenses
- You have investment budget available
- You want full control over maintenance
- You need the machine for an extended period of time
Choose to rent when:
- You clean sporadically or seasonally
- You need different machine types
- You have limited investment budget
- You want worry-free service including maintenance
- You need the machine for a shorter period of time
For facility managers looking for orderly processes with fixed expenses, buying usually offers the best solution. We at Metech are happy to help you make the right choice with personal advice and on-site demonstrations, so you can find the perfect scrubber for your specific situation.