Rent, Buy or RPO - What is the best option?
August 2026
Rent or Buy? Choosing the Right Heavy Equipment for Your Project
When it comes to heavy equipment, one of the biggest decisions is whether to rent or buy. The answer isn't always straightforward. Project length, utilization, transportation, maintenance, cash flow and future workload can all play a part.
At Pacesetter Equipment, we work with customers across Western Canada on projects of every size, from short-term construction jobs to long-term mining, pipeline and remote projects. Sometimes purchasing makes sense, sometimes renting is the better move, and sometimes, the right answer is somewhere in between.
Here are a few things to consider.
When Does Renting Heavy Equipment Make Sense?
Renting gives you flexibility. Instead of committing to a machine that may or may not fit your needs six months from now, you can get the equipment you need for the job in front of you.
Renting may be the better option when:
- You need equipment for a specific project. If you only need a dozer, excavator, grader, rock truck or loader for a few weeks or months, purchasing may not make financial sense.
- Your equipment needs change from job to job. One project might require a smaller excavator while the next calls for a much larger machine. Renting gives you the ability to adjust your fleet as your work changes.
- You need specialty equipment. Rather than purchasing a machine or attachment you will only use occasionally, renting can give you access to specialized equipment when you actually need it.
- You want predictable costs. Purchasing equipment comes with more than the initial price tag. Maintenance, repairs, depreciation, storage and resale all need to be considered.
- You need equipment quickly. When a project changes or another machine goes down, having access to rental equipment can help keep the job moving.
For contractors taking on seasonal work or projects in different locations, renting can also make it easier to scale your fleet up when you are busy and back down when the work is complete.
When Does Buying Make More Sense?
If a machine is going to be working consistently, purchasing may be the better long-term investment.
Buying can make sense when you know the equipment will see high utilization and you have ongoing work for it. Ownership also gives you complete control over how the machine is configured, maintained and used.
And buying doesn't necessarily mean buying brand new.
We regularly have well-maintained used heavy equipment available for sale, including machines from our rental fleet. For customers who know what they need and are ready to add another machine to their fleet, purchasing a quality used unit can be a great option.
Don't Forget the Costs Beyond the Machine
Whether you are renting or buying, the machine itself is only part of the equation.
How is it getting to site? Who is servicing it? What happens if something goes down? Does it need specific attachments, tires, tracks or jobsite preparation?
These details become even more important when equipment is heading to remote locations or working on demanding projects.
At Pacesetter, we don't just hand you the keys and send you on your way. Our team can help coordinate equipment, attachments, transportation and service support to keep your project moving.
That's what we mean when we say we backstop your project.
What About RPO?
Sometimes you aren't ready to make the full commitment to purchasing, but you also know there's a good chance you'll want to keep the machine.
That's where a Rental Purchase Option (RPO) may make sense.
RPO options are available on select units and can provide another route for customers who want to put a machine to work before ultimately purchasing it.
Talk to our team about available units and options to see what works for your situation.
There Isn't a One-Size-Fits-All Answer
A contractor working on a three-month roadbuilding project has very different equipment needs than a company running the same machine year-round. That's why the rent-versus-buy decision shouldn't simply come down to the monthly payment.
Consider how often you will use the machine, how long you will need it, what your future workload looks like and what it will cost to own, maintain and eventually sell.
And if you're still not sure?
Give us a call!
Tell us about the project, where you are working and what you need to accomplish. Whether the best answer is renting, purchasing or exploring an RPO, our team will help you find an option that makes sense.
From excavators and dozers to graders, loaders, rock trucks, compactors and more, Pacesetter Equipment has a wide range of heavy equipment available for rent and sale across Western Canada.
Whatever the job calls for, we can make it happen.
