Rental costs & prices for forklifts

The decision to rent a forklift is a practical and economical solution for many companies, buyers or project managers. Whether for short-term bottlenecks in logistics, seasonal peaks or special projects - renting a forklift offers flexibility without having to make a long-term investment.

But as with any decision that has financial implications, the question arises: How much does it actually cost to rent a forklift?

From the type of forklift to the rental period and specific application requirements, we offer you a detailed insight on this page so that you can effectively plan and calculate the costs of forklift rental.

influencing factors

The type and equipment of the forklift influence the rental price

The rental costs for forklifts vary not only depending on the type of forklift, but also on the equipment selected. In addition to the basic features such as the type of drive (electric, diesel, LPG or hybrid) and model (e.g. pallet truck, all-terrain forklift, rotary forklift, telescopic forklift), the additional equipment plays a decisive role in the rental price. The attachments that expand the range of applications of a forklift and thus influence the rental price include, among others:

• Forks such as standard, telescopic and special tines for different loads
• Work baskets for work at heights that require a secure footing
• Sideshifters and turning tools increase flexibility in handling loads
• Clamp forks for the transport of palletless goods such as bales or boxes.
• Attachments for special tasks such as snow plows, sweepers or load hooks

Each attachment performs a specific function that makes the rental vehicle more versatile, but also increases the rental cost. Choosing the right attachment is therefore a balancing act between project requirements and budget. It is crucial to match the equipment to the actual tasks to be performed in order to avoid unnecessary costs and still be able to work efficiently.

Rental period: daily, weekly or long-term rental?

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to rent a forklift for days, weeks or months. Choosing the right rental term can have a significant impact on the cost-effectiveness of your project.

Daily rental is a good option when industrial trucks such as diesel or electric forklifts, order pickers or reach trucks are needed at short notice. This option is ideal for companies that need to react to sudden failures of their own equipment or want to cover seasonal peaks. Daily rental is higher in price, but is the most flexible and often most cost-effective solution for short-term use.

Weekly rental is often chosen for projects where the duration of use is foreseeable but spread over several days. Weekly rental of rental equipment can be a cost-effective alternative to daily rental, as the daily prices become cheaper the longer the rental period. It also offers a middle ground between flexibility and cost, ideal for medium-length projects.

Long-term rental is particularly suitable for long-term projects or when the need for industrial trucks is continuous. With long-term rental of forklifts, companies not only benefit from significantly more favorable conditions compared to daily or weekly rental, but also from additional services such as maintenance and repairs that can be integrated into the rental agreement. Long-term rentals also offer planning security and the opportunity to tailor the forklift precisely to the company's requirements.

Availability and seasonal fluctuations

Of course, you can't always plan exactly when a forklift will be needed for a project. But especially with industrial trucks, it's worth keeping an eye on seasonal fluctuations and availability, as these can affect rental costs. Demand for forklifts increases significantly, especially in the run-up to Christmas, when Christmas business in logistics centers and warehouses reaches its peak. This often leads to a shortage of supply and thus to higher rental prices for some rental companies.

Outside of peak season, such as the summer months, there is likely to be lower demand for forklifts, which can be reflected in cheaper rental prices.

It is therefore crucial to plan and book early to avoid bottlenecks during peak periods and to secure the best prices. In the off-season there are often opportunities to benefit from attractive rental conditions.

By the way: With SYSTEM LIFT partners you can rent all year round at fair conditions, regardless of seasonal fluctuations.

Other cost factors such as insurance, maintenance

For most rental companies, the costs for insurance, repairs and maintenance of the rental forklift are included as standard in the rental offer. This offers you as the renter the advantage that the forklift is operational at all times and optimally maintained during the rental period, supplemented by the protection of comprehensive machine breakdown insurance.

This common practice leads to a transparent cost structure and protects against unforeseen additional costs, as the high-quality rental equipment is fully insured. This means that the total rental costs remain clearly calculable and manageable.

cost examples

These are the costs for forklift rental per day

Now we come to the heart of the matter: How much do you have to budget for the rental price of a forklift? This information is ultimately crucial if you want to rent a forklift in order to calculate your budget correctly. To give you a clear idea, we have put together a current list of average and realistic daily prices for different types of rotary, telescopic and forklift trucks:

rental prices for attachments

When renting forklifts, additional attachments can significantly increase productivity and versatility. For example, long tines, which cost an average of €5 per day, enable the safe transport of extra-long loads that exceed the standard dimensions of conventional forks. Likewise, a work basket, for an average of €22 per day, can turn a forklift into a mobile lifting platform for working at heights. Such attachments are a valuable addition to specific tasks and should be selected according to needs and expected benefits.

transport costs

In addition to the basic rental costs, you need to keep an eye on potential transport costs and machine breakdown insurance. In most cases, the machine breakdown fee is covered by the rental agreement. If you have the forklift delivered to you and do not pick it up from the rental company yourself, the delivery costs vary depending on the weight and how far it has to be transported. If we assume an average weight of a forklift between 4 and 9 tons, the transport costs for a distance of 125 km within the country are around €200.

However, it should be noted that prices may vary depending on the provider and geographical location. It is therefore advisable to make a specific request directly to the landlord in order to receive an offer tailored to your project.

However, it should be noted that prices may vary depending on the provider and geographical location. It is therefore advisable to make a specific request directly to the landlord in order to receive an offer tailored to your project.

Is the cheapest price for rental forklifts always the best option?

When choosing a rental forklift, the cheapest price should not be the most important decision criterion. As is often the case, it is the overall package that counts. Professional forklift rental companies ensure that the rental equipment, including attachments, is optimally tailored to the specific application requirements. If it only becomes apparent during the first use that the rental forklift cannot be used due to poor planning, the costs quickly add up.

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 control are particularly popular, especially on construction sites where equipment from multiple construction companies is used. This ensures that only authorized personnel can operate and move the rented forklifts, significantly reducing the risk of accidents, misuse and downtime.

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

Conclusion: Optimizing rental costs for rental forklifts

Forklift rental costs can be compared to rental cars in many ways. Just like with rental cars, where higher quality and more modern equipment not only increases comfort but also contributes to a better and safer driving experience, the same is true for forklifts. Opting for a higher quality, more modern and better equipped forklift with fewer hours of operation can significantly improve work efficiency and safety. An advanced forklift not only improves handling but also increases productivity by allowing longer operating times without frequent charging breaks thanks to powerful batteries.

When choosing the right forklift truck, not only the direct rental costs should be the focus, but also factors such as a personal contact, the age and technical condition of the rental equipment, as well as additional services and features should be taken into account.

The aim is to achieve an optimal balance between all costs and benefits in order to make the total rental cost effective. Often, a slightly higher investment in renting a better quality forklift will result in long-term savings and efficiency gains compared to opting for the cheapest offer.

We have the right rental equipment

Do you have further questions about prices and rental conditions, do you need advice for your individual needs, an on-site inspection or a detailed offer for a large order or leasing over several months? Our experts are always ready to provide you with comprehensive support and work together to find the best solution for your requirements.

Rent a suitable forklift now

Contact us if you would like to rent a suitable forklift truck at a reasonable price. We offer a large selection in our forklift fleet, fair prices for different rental periods and a modern rental fleet with digital access control.