Rental costs & prices for work platforms

The selection of the right work platform is primarily influenced by various technical features and the application requirements. The most important factors include the working height, the basket load and the lateral reach of the platform.

But the rental costs of work platforms are also a decisive factor for many companies and tradesmen who need this special equipment for their projects.

But how is the price of a work platform for rent made up? We look at the different aspects that influence the price of work platforms, from the type of platform to the rental period and additional services, and give specific prices for different types of platforms. Our goal is to give you a comprehensive insight so that you can make an informed decision when you want to rent a work platform .

influencing factors

The type and equipment of the work platform influence the rental price

The market offers a wide range of different work platforms for different working heights and almost every imaginable purpose. Telescopic platforms offer maximum height and reach and are therefore particularly suitable for work that requires a high load-bearing capacity. They are equipped with hydraulic systems that enable flexible lateral reach. Articulated telescopic platforms, on the other hand, offer additional mobility thanks to their articulated booms. They are ideal for working in hard-to-reach places and are sometimes also available with all-wheel drive for off-road use.

In contrast, scissor lifts , crawler lifts or vertical lifts are more compact and suitable for smaller or hard-to-reach areas, making them a practical option for smaller projects and indoor or outdoor work. Larger scissor lifts also offer - depending on the model - a large work basket that can accommodate several people.

Truck-mounted work platforms or trailer-mounted work platforms require a class BE/C driving license and are particularly mobile and can be moved quickly from A to B in outdoor use, making them particularly suitable for rapidly changing locations.

Regardless of the rental price, the most important thing is to choose the right type of aerial work platform to suit the specific requirements of the project. The decision should be made taking into account all relevant factors such as working height, lateral reach, load capacity and mobility. After all, the cheapest aerial work platform is of little use in practice if it is not suitable for the intended use.

The rental period as the basis of every price list - daily, weekly and long-term rentals

In every price list for the rental of work platforms, the rental period, i.e. the period for which you want to rent the work platform , has the greatest influence. For short-term jobs such as tree trimming or minor repairs, daily rentals are ideal. They allow you to respond spontaneously and efficiently to unexpected needs without having to commit to a long-term contract.

Weekly rentals are ideal for medium-term projects - e.g. for civil engineering work, for window and building cleaning or for installation work.

Long-term rental is particularly suitable for large, long-term projects or when work platforms are required on a regular basis. Long-term rental enables precise cost calculation and is often more economical than short-term rental options. This option offers planning security and the possibility of tailoring the work platform precisely to the project-specific requirements.

Long-term rentals start at 3 months or more for most rental companies. For projects that span longer periods of time, long-term rentals are a more cost-effective option. They offer lower daily rental rates, reducing the overall cost of the rental without having to buy or lease your own aerial work platform.

Destination location and transport: Regional price differences when renting a work platform

When renting work platforms or construction machinery online, regional price differences are reflected in a similar way to housing prices. In cities, where demand is generally higher, the rental costs for work platforms tend to be higher than in rural areas.

Another decisive factor for the cost structure is transport. Deliveries that take place at short notice and outside of the regular tour schedule incur higher fees compared to transports planned in advance. Customers who are looking for flexibility and cost savings should therefore plan their rental well in advance.

Although self-collection appears to be a cost-effective alternative, it is advisable to have the transport and instruction carried out by experienced specialists due to the specialist knowledge required and safety aspects. This procedure not only guarantees that the lifting platform is handled correctly, but also makes a significant contribution to occupational safety, as instructions on how to work with the possibly "unfamiliar" machine are provided upon delivery.

Seasonal fluctuations and availability

Of course, it is rarely possible to plan exactly when a work platform will be needed for a project. Nevertheless, it is worth keeping an eye on seasonal fluctuations and availability, as these can have a significant impact on rental costs. Demand can rise sharply for some landlords, particularly in the summer months and around public holidays, which often leads to a shortage of supply and therefore to higher rental prices.

In the construction industry, for example, aerial work platforms are particularly in demand in the warmer months, which reinforces this seasonal demand. In contrast, demand drops in the winter months, especially in bad weather, which can be reflected in cheaper rental prices.

Early planning and booking can therefore be crucial to avoid availability problems during peak periods and to secure attractive prices. In the low season, on the other hand, there are often opportunities to benefit from cheaper rental prices.

By the way: With SYSTEM LIFT partners you can rent at the same fair conditions all year round.

Additional cost factors: insurance, maintenance and accessories

Almost all rental companies include the costs for insurance , repairs and maintenance in their offer. As a renter, you benefit from a work platform that is always ready for use and optimally maintained, coupled with the advantage of comprehensive machine breakdown insurance .

This practice ensures clear cost structures and prevents unexpected additional expenses by comprehensively insuring the high-quality rental equipment. This means that the total rental costs remain clear and easy to plan.

cost examples

How much does it cost to rent a work platform or what are the costs per day

Now let's get to the core question: How much does it cost to rent a work platform? After all, this information is crucial for budgeting your project. To give you the clearest possible picture, we have put together a table with realistic rental prices for various types of work platforms with medium working heights:

Please note that the prices given above refer to work platforms with medium working height . For a non-binding offer, please send us a rental request .

Consider transport costs and machine breakdown insurance

In addition to the rental costs, any transport costs and machine breakdown insurance must also be taken into account. These additional costs depend on the rental price, the total weight of the work platform and the distance to the site. If we assume an average value here, ie a machine weight between 4 and 9 t, the transport for a distance of 125 km within Germany costs around €200.

Important: Prices vary depending on the provider and region, so an individual inquiry to a landlord should always be the first step in order to receive accurate offers tailored to the respective project.

Comparison and selection: Is the cheapest price always the best option?

When choosing a rental work platform, the cheapest price should not be the most important decision criterion. As is often the case, it is the overall package that counts. Professional work platform rental companies, for example, carry out a detailed site inspection before renting out the right work platform. This ensures that the rental equipment is optimally tailored to the specific requirements of the construction site. If it only becomes apparent during the first use that the rented work platform cannot be used due to poor planning, the costs quickly add up.

In addition, the rental offer often also includes rentable construction site safety equipment and accessories such as special attachments, which can be crucial for safety on the construction site.

The up-to-dateness of the rental fleet of the rental company also plays a decisive role: newer and slightly more expensive devices are more technologically advanced, efficient, environmentally friendly and, above all, safer than older models, which may be cheaper but may not offer the same performance and safety standards.

Advanced security features such as digital access controls are particularly popular in trades where equipment from different construction companies comes together. This ensures that only authorized personnel can operate and move the work platforms. This significantly reduces the risk of accidents, misuse and downtime.

In summary, this means that the cheapest rental price is not always the best option. Modern work platforms enable effective work, and high safety standards contribute to a more efficient and safer working environment.

Conclusion: Optimizing rental costs for work platforms

The rental costs for aerial work platforms can be compared to the rental costs for a rental car. Just like with a rental car, where higher and more modern equipment not only ensures more comfort but also a better, safer driving experience, the same applies to aerial work platforms.

Investing in a higher quality, more modern and better equipped rental platform can significantly increase work efficiency and safety. In fact, an advanced work platform not only offers a better working experience, but also increases productivity on the construction site by making it easier to access difficult areas and minimizing downtime.

In addition, when selecting the right work platform, not only the direct rental costs but also aspects such as a personal contact , the age of the rental equipment, the technical equipment and additional services should be taken into account.

Ultimately, it's about finding a balance between cost and benefit to optimise rental costs overall. This often means that investing a little more to hire a higher quality aerial work platform can be more efficient and cost-effective in the long run than choosing the cheapest option.

Summary: Rental prices for work platforms