Rent vs buy calculator

monthly_own_cost = (purchase − residual)/term_months + finance_interest_per_month + maintenance_per_month + insurance_per_month; breakeven_months_of_need: buy if expected_months_of_use × monthly_rent > total_own_cost_over_period; breakeven_utilisation_hours = monthly_own_fixed_cost / (rent_per_hour − own_variable_cost_per_hour)

Derived by Warehouse Machines from Scissor Lift Total Cost of Ownership (eLiftruck pricing guide): no single source states this formula, so treat the result as an estimate.

No source publishes a single break-even formula; this is standard arithmetic using sourced defaults. Published thresholds to show as context: eLiftruck says scissor ownership breaks even at about 60-80 days of use per year; BuyerZone says leasing makes sense if the need lasts under 18 months (prices_lease-finance.json). Rental $ excludes delivery ($100-300, RentalHawk).

Worked example: Scissor lift (eLiftruck): own if used more than about 60-80 days a year.