Pressure Washer Rental vs Buying vs Hiring A Pro [An In-Depth View]

Whether you are a residential home or commercial building owner, it always comes to a point point when you will need a pressure washer. The necessity is there, no question about it, but what's the best way to execute this?

Pressure washer rental is one option, buying or investing is another, and hiring a pressure washing service is also an option. We are not just trying to answer what’s more cost-effective, but also what is best in the long run. Here we have mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of each option. By the end of this article, you will be able to make your mind on what's best for you financially.

Buying or Investing

This is by far the most expensive choice upfront that might cost you a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Not only that, there is also a potential maintenance cost after the end of the warranty period. At most, you will only use it once or twice a year.

Besides, there are some owners who are not aware of how to winterize their pressure washers, and it cause serious damage when they intend to use it under extreme cold environment. Therefore, it is important to know how to maintain and store your tool propely.

You can plan to share it with friends or neighbors. The only way to justify an investment in a high-quality pressure washer is if you own quite a few buildings and houses that need regular maintenance. Or you want to get in the pressure washing business. Anything else makes buying a pressure washing machine simply not worth the money. Here is a summary of all the pros and cons of purchasing a pressure washer.

PROS

You can use it any time you like without any limitation.
You can rent it to other people and create an additional income stream.
You can provide water pressure cleaning services and create an additional income stream.

CONS

Buying a new one is expensive especially if you look at the high-end gas pressure washer models.
Most of the time it will just sit in your garage. If you have only one house or a building of any kind, then you will use it just one or two times a year at the most.
After the warranty ends, it is up to you to buy spare parts and maintain it. That only adds up to the initial investment.
There is such a wide selection of pressure washing machines that you can easily end up with one that is either too big, too small, or it just doesn't suit your needs. There are plenty of salesmen that will try to sell you the machine that brings them the biggest sales percentage and not the one that suits your needs most.

Hire a Pressure Washer Service

Nowadays, there are plenty of services that offer pressure washing for commercial and residential buildings. Pressure washing has turned into a real industry, and there are plenty of services that are banking on that.

But is that right for you? Is that indeed the best alternative to buying a pressure washer machine? Well, before even considering hiring a company to do your pressure washing here are the pros and cons of doing so.

PROS

You call them, they come, and the job is done without you lifting a finger. It’s super convenient for you.
You don't even need to be present when they do their job.
Pressure washing is done by experienced professionals.

CONS

It’s expensive to hire a pressure washing company to do your pressure washing. You will be given one flat fee, but it will be a hefty one. That’s because you are paying not just for the machines they are using, but for the person that is doing the actual pressure washing, and then there needs to be something left for the company. That adds up to a nice, not so little amount of your hard-earned cash.
There are so many companies out there, and it doesn’t mean they all follow the same high standards. There are still those that will do a mediocre job even though you paid a premium price. The trick here is to find a reputable service and not end up with some underperformers. In a way it is like playing roulette, you never know the outcome.
If you find a reputable company, there is probably a waiting list of customers. The chances are that they might ask you to wait for your turn as they are super busy. Therefore, don’t be surprised if they come on a Sunday morning while you are resting.
There are no strict rules that precisely determine how good they've done their job. You might not be fully pleased with their work, but that won't matter much. If they think its job well done, then that's it. You can complain, even take them to court. But then again, it is hard to prove something when there aren't strictly determined principles. Yet, the risk of a poorly done job persists.

Pressure Washer Rental

The final option is pressure washer rental. The cheapest one and one that is very popular. Especially among homeowners that clean their home once or twice a year at the most. Here are the pros and cons of renting a pressure washer.

PROS

It’s cheaper than hiring a company to do your pressure washing or buying a pressure washing machine.
Most machines are easy to use. Simply point and shoot. The people that work in the pressure washing rental company will help you choose the one that suits your needs the most, explain how to use it effectively.
You don't have to worry about maintenance, storage, and stuff. After you are done, you return it to the rental company, and they will take care of it.
You will be given a high-end machine. One that costs in the thousands and gets the job done fast and efficiently.
You can choose your own time when to rent the machine.
You decide when the house is clean enough.

CONS

You get to do all the work. Make sure you know the methods to pressure wash your house and its compounds.
Even though it is a fairly simple work, you might struggle at the beginning. Experienced professionals don’t have that problem. From the first moment to the last, they are entirely focused on the task ahead and have the proper know-how.
A pro will get the job done much faster than any untrained person handling a pressure washer.

Consideration Before Renting a Power Washer

Renting a power washer seem like a pretty straightforward job; just go and grab the one closest to the door. Well, even though it's not rocket science, there are some things to consider before consideration.

Rental Cost

Nowadays, there are plenty of companies that offer pressure washer rental. Some of the biggest name in this business in the USA are Home Depot, NTR, A to Z equipment, Sunbelt Rentals, Rental Guys, Hertz Equipment, and AAA Rental All.

Types of Pressure Washers to Choose From

Choosing the most suitable pressure washer is the single most important step when searching for pressure washer rental. Here’s what each of them brings to the table.

Type	Features
Hot Water Gas Powered Pressure Washer	Renting one can cost from $100 to $195 per day. How much depends on the company that rents them. Those rates are for machines featuring 2,500 -3,500 PSI. They come on a four-wheel cart which makes them highly portable. The high pressure and soap makes them perfect for all sorts of stains like algae, dirt, or grim.
Medium-duty Gas Powered Pressure Washer	This is the most popular option for homeowners. The pressure doesn’t go beyond 2,800 PSI. They can be rented for as low as $62 and up to $90 per day. They are extremely easy to operate and are perfect for house siding, driveways, and back deck.
Heavy-duty Gas Powered Power Washer	They go over 2.800 PSI and renting them can cost from $75 to $160 per day. They are perfect for bigger jobs like big parking lots, garages, etc.
Electric Pressure Washer	You can rent one for as low as $35 per day. They can produce up to 1,400 PSI. They are very easy to use, are very quiet, and very cheap. They are very practical for cleaning windows, garden equipment, car, or even home interior.
Renting Accessories for Presure Washer	Accessories increase the efficiency of the power washer. The surface cleaner is one of the most popular accessories. They can be rented for as low as $31 and up to $60 per day according to the place.

Final Thoughts

Pressure washer rental could be your best bet to clean your building or home without spending too much money and make sure that all is nicely clean. Plus, you get to operate a professional machine that costs thousands of dollars. The only thing to keep in mind is that not all rental companies offer the same rates. To that end, you need to do your research before renting a pressure washer.

Verner Ellen

Hi, my name is Verner Ellen. I am a homebody whose interest is in getting the best home tools and equipments to help with the the everyday house chores. I also love fitness, cooking and grilling. Maintaining a clean and comfortable home is my lifelong passion.