Rental costs & prices for forklifts

For many companies, purchasing managers, or project managers , renting a forklift is a practical and economical solution. Whether for short-term logistics bottlenecks , seasonal peaks , or special projects, renting a forklift offers flexibility without the need for 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 or telescopic handler?

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 features of the forklift influence the rental price.

Rental costs for forklifts vary not only depending on the type of forklift but also on the chosen equipment. Besides basic features such as drive type (electric, diesel, LPG, or hybrid) and model (e.g., pallet truck, rough terrain forklift, rotating forklift , telehandler ), possible attachments play a crucial role in the rental price. Attachments that expand a forklift's range of applications and thus influence the rental price include, among others...

• Forklift tines such as standard, telescopic and special tines for different loads
• Work baskets for working at heights that require a secure footing
• Sideshifters and rotary tools increase flexibility in handling loads.
• Clamping forks for transporting goods without pallets, such as bales or boxes.
• Attachments for special tasks such as snowplows, sweepers or load hooks

Each attachment fulfills a specific function, making the rental vehicle more versatile but also increasing rental costs. Choosing the right attachment is therefore a balancing act between project requirements and budget. The key is to match the equipment to the actual tasks to be performed in order to avoid unnecessary costs while still working efficiently.

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

Several factors come into play when deciding whether to rent a forklift for days, weeks, or months. Choosing the right rental period can significantly impact the cost-effectiveness of your project.

Daily rental is a good option when material handling equipment 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 breakdowns of their own equipment or want to cover seasonal peaks in demand. While daily rental is more expensive, it is the most flexible and often the most cost-effective solution for short-term needs.

Weekly rentals are often chosen for projects where the duration of use is predictable but spread over several days. Weekly rentals of equipment can be a cost-effective alternative to daily rentals, as daily rates become more affordable with longer rental periods. Furthermore, it offers a balance between flexibility and cost, making it ideal for medium-length projects.

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

Availability and seasonal fluctuations

Of course, it's not always possible to plan exactly when a forklift will be needed for a project. However, especially with material handling equipment, it's worthwhile to keep an eye on seasonal fluctuations and availability, as these can influence rental costs. Particularly in the run-up to Christmas, when the holiday season reaches its peak in logistics centers and warehouses, the demand for forklifts increases significantly. This often leads to a shortage of supply and, consequently, higher rental prices from some providers.

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

Therefore, it is crucial to plan and book early to avoid bottlenecks during peak season and secure the best prices. During 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 consistently fair conditions, regardless of seasonal fluctuations.

Other cost factors such as insurance, maintenance

With most rental companies, the costs for insurance, repairs, and maintenance of the rented forklift are included in the standard rental offer. This gives you, as the renter, the advantage that the forklift is always ready for use and optimally maintained throughout the rental period, supplemented by the protection of comprehensive machinery breakdown insurance.

This common practice results in a transparent cost structure and protects against unforeseen additional costs, as the high-quality rental equipment is fully insured. This ensures 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 should you budget for renting a forklift? This information is crucial if you want to rent a forklift and calculate your budget correctly. To give you a clear idea, we've compiled a current list of average and realistic daily rates for different types of rotating forklifts, telescopic handlers, and other forklifts:

*All prices are net/excluding VAT.

Telehandler rental prices

*All prices are net/excluding VAT.

Are you looking for a complete price list for rental forklifts?

You can find all current daily rental prices in our forklift rental category.

Rental prices for add-on parts

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

Click here to see our attachments .

Transport costs

In addition to the basic rental costs, you need to keep potential transport costs and equipment breakdown insurance in mind. In most cases, the equipment breakdown cover is included in the rental agreement as a fixed percentage. If you have the forklift delivered instead of picking it up from the rental company yourself, delivery costs vary depending on its weight and the distance it needs to be transported. Assuming an average forklift weight of between 4 and 9 tons, transport costs for a distance of 125 km within the country are approximately €200.

Since prices vary depending on the provider and region, you should contact the landlord directly. This way you'll get an offer that's precisely tailored to your project.

Is the cheapest price always the best option when renting forklifts?

When choosing a rental forklift, the lowest price shouldn't be the primary deciding factor. As is so often the case, the overall package is what matters. Professional forklift rental companies ensure that the rental equipment, including attachments, is optimally tailored to the specific application requirements. If it turns out only during the first use that the rental forklift cannot be used due to poor planning, the costs can quickly add up.

The recency of the rental company's equipment also plays a crucial role: Newer and somewhat more expensive equipment is technologically more advanced, more efficient, more 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 different 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 forklifts

The rental costs for forklifts can be compared to those of a rental car in many ways. Just as with a rental car, where higher-quality and more modern features not only increase comfort but also contribute to a better and safer driving experience, the same applies to forklifts. Choosing a higher-quality, more modern, and better-equipped forklift with low operating hours can significantly improve work efficiency and safety. An advanced forklift not only improves handling but also increases productivity by enabling longer operating times without frequent charging breaks, thanks to powerful batteries.

When selecting the right forklift, one should therefore not only focus on the direct rental costs, but also consider factors such as a personal contact person, the age and technical condition of the rental equipment, as well as additional services and features.

The goal is to achieve an optimal balance between all costs and benefits in order to make the overall rental costs as effective as possible. Often, a slightly higher investment in renting a higher-quality forklift leads to long-term savings and increased efficiency compared to choosing the cheapest offer.

We have the right rental equipment

Do you have further questions about prices and rental conditions, need advice for your specific requirements, require an on-site visit, or need a detailed quote for a large order or a multi-month lease? Our experts are always ready to provide you with comprehensive support and work with you to find the best solution for your needs.

Rent a suitable forklift nearby now.

Contact us if you're looking to rent a suitable forklift at a great price . We offer a wide selection in our forklift fleet, fair prices for various rental periods, and a modern fleet with digital access control.