Last Updated on February 16, 2026
If you’re considering a bucket truck because you have landed a major contract, want to take on new work, or need to expand or update your fleet, you may be wondering, “Should I rent or buy a bucket truck?”
There is no simple, one-size-fits-all answer. To decide if it is best to rent a bucket truck or buy, you will need to ask questions like: How frequently will I use it? What do I need it for? Is my financial situation stable? What is the skill level of my crew? Do I have the facilities to store the truck and people to maintain it?
Evaluating the benefits of renting a bucket truck versus owning one, along with an assessment of the drawbacks of each, can help you make an informed decision. Keep reading for tips to guide you toward the best choice for your business.
Rent a Bucket Truck vs. Buy: Where to Start?
Bucket trucks — also known as boom trucks, cherry pickers or aerial lift trucks — allow crews to safely reach elevated work areas. They’re ideal for tree work, utility line maintenance and construction.
But knowing whether it’s better to buy or rent a bucket truck depends on your situation and needs.
Factors to Consider:
- How Often Do You Need a Bucket Truck? Will you use the truck daily for many projects or a long period of time? Or do you only need it for seasonal or occasional projects? Renting is often more cost-effective for short-term, occasional use or to fill a gap in your fleet. Buying becomes more economical when you have many long-term projects with consistent equipment needs.
- What Type of Bucket Truck Do You Need? Do you need an insulated model for utility work? Or one with an articulated boom that can move up and over obstacles? Make a list of the features you need for each project, including boom type, weight capacity and maximum bucket height. This list will help you figure out if one type of truck will meet your needs or if you need to build out your fleet.
- What Is the Cost to Rent a Bucket Truck? What Is My Budget? Like all heavy-duty construction equipment, purchasing a bucket truck comes with a hefty price tag. New models can range from $60,000 to more than $300,000 depending on their size and features. Used models are more affordable, often costing about half as much. Renting can start as low as $725 per day or $2,100 per week.
- Is My Team Able to Use and Maintain the Bucket Truck? Operating a bucket truck safely requires specialized skills, training and certification. OSHA has strict regulations for using a bucket truck, including protocols for equipment transportation and maintenance standards. If your teams don’t have the ability to take on regular maintenance and repairs for the long-term, renting a bucket truck eliminates those burdens.
Buying: Pros and Cons
If you’re still unsure whether buying is the way to go, consider the advantages and disadvantages below. Usually, buying is the best choice for companies with larger budgets and long-term ongoing needs.
Advantages of Buying a Bucket Truck
- 24/7 Equipment Availability: Owning a bucket truck gives you full control over its availability. You can also more easily control usage and maintenance without relying on the rental provider’s schedule. If a project runs longer than expected, you avoid additional rental fees. If it wraps up early, you don’t pay for idle equipment.
- Possible Tax or Financial Advantages: Purchasing a bucket truck may give you access to manufacturer rebates, government incentive programs or tax advantages. If you want to buy a bucket truck, consult a tax professional with experience in the construction industry to find out if any of the associated costs are tax-deductible.
- Good Return on Investment for High Utilization: If you use a bucket truck frequently, especially across multiple long-term projects, buying offers a strong return on investment. The more often the truck is used, the more the cost is spread out, making each job less expensive over time. Plus, you always have the option to sell it and recoup a portion of the investment.
Disadvantages of Buying a Bucket Truck
- Large Upfront Costs: You need a substantial down payment to buy a bucket truck, and loans mean ongoing interest payments. This high investment can pressure your cash flow and use up capital that might be needed elsewhere in the business.
- Ongoing Transportation and Storage Costs: Bucket trucks are large and require ample space for storage, which can be costly if you don’t already have the facilities. Transporting them to and from project sites also adds expense and stress on machinery, especially over long distances. In addition to fuel, you’ll be responsible for all operating costs, including wear and tear and travel expenses for drivers.
- Ongoing Maintenance Responsibilities: Maximizing the value of your bucket truck—especially if you plan to resell it—requires consistent, proper maintenance. This can be a drawback if you need to hire outside help or pay for expensive service contracts. For some businesses, it may be more convenient and cost-effective to leave these responsibilities to a rental provider.
- Limited Adaptability: If you buy a truck suited for one type of work but the needs of your projects change, you will be limited by what you own. For instance, if you purchase a 45-foot bucket truck for routine maintenance jobs and later land a contract that requires a 60-foot reach, you will have to rent the larger truck—while continuing to pay for the one you already bought.
Bottom Line on Buying: Buying may be worth the high upfront investment if you manage multiple long-term or recurring projects across several years.
Rent a Bucket Truck: Pros and Cons
While buying may be worth the investment for some, most contractors and companies will find value in renting bucket trucks. Consider the following benefits of renting a bucket truck before partnering with an equipment rental provider.
Advantages When You Rent a Bucket Truck
- Cost Savings: Cost is one of the biggest driving factors in construction planning. If you don’t need the same bucket truck regularly, renting can be a more economical option. Renting eliminates the large upfront investment of buying and the burden of depreciation, storage and maintenance.
- Pro Tip: Renting for a longer duration (several months) has a lower per-day cost than short-term rentals.
- Convenience: With countless moving parts in a construction project, renting can ease the workload and reduce stress. It ensures you have the right equipment at the right time and in the right place. Rental costs are also simpler to bill to clients compared to purchases, which require more complex methods to account for investment costs, maintenance and storage.
- Access to the Latest Technology: The construction industry is constantly evolving with advancements in safety, efficiency and sustainability. Since rental companies regularly refresh their fleets, one of the benefits of renting a bucket truck is getting access to modern equipment with the newest technology, enhanced safety features, better fuel efficiency and improved performance.
- Flexibility to Expand Your Services and Fleet: Having a flexible fleet is essential when your workload is seasonal or your business is evolving. Renting lets you scale up quickly for short-term projects, peak seasons or sudden increases in demand.
- Try Different Models Before Making a Purchase: Bucket trucks vary widely in size, features and manufacturers. Renting is a practical way to thoroughly “test drive” different models before committing to a purchase.
Disadvantages When You Rent a Bucket Truck
- Less Control Over Maintenance and Availability: When renting, you are limited to what your equipment provider has available at the time, which can be a challenge during periods of heavy demand, like disaster recovery. Additionally, the equipment you receive may not always meet your preferred maintenance standards or be the exact model you had in mind.
- Pro Tip: You can avoid this by planning ahead and working with a reputable provider known for maintaining a well-serviced and diverse fleet.
- May Cost More Over Time: Although renting requires a lower initial cost than buying, expenses can accumulate quickly if the project is delayed and you have to modify your rental agreement.
- No Recouping the Cost: When it’s time to replace a rental truck, only the rental provider gets to recoup the cost when they sell or scrap the bucket truck. Rental providers also retain all depreciation and tax benefits, not the renter.
Rent a Bucket Truck from Herc Rentals
Answering the question, “Should I rent or buy a bucket truck?” requires thoughtful evaluation of your project needs, budget and long-term business goals.
Either way, your teams need reliable bucket trucks to safely reach elevated work areas. When deciding between renting vs buying a bucket truck, consider the features, flexibility and the availability you’ll need.
If renting is the right fit for your business—or if you want to try out different models before investing—Herc Rentals is ready to help. Our equipment experts will guide you through the rental process and help you find the best bucket truck for your projects. We offer a wide range of well-maintained equipment with the latest technology to meet your needs.
We also provide equipment operation and safety training, flexible rental terms, equipment delivery and support to keep your project running smoothly.
Explore our fleet of crane and bucket trucks, or give us a call at 1-800-432-6215 to rent a bucket truck.
