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Every fleet has a tipping point, find yours with our data-driven Total Cost of Ownership analysis.
Deciding whether to rent or purchase an access platform is a milestone decision for any growing business. There is no one-size-fits-all answer: the right choice depends on your current project volume, financial structure and long-term scaling plans. Understanding the trade-offs between the flexibility of hire and the equity of ownership is the first step toward a more efficient fleet.
The choice depends on your annual utilisation rate, operational requirements and financial goals. Generally, hiring is best for businesses with fluctuating demand or short-term projects where capital preservation is a priority. Purchasing is typically more cost-effective for high-utilisation fleets, as it builds asset equity, claims tax benefits, and lets you use a real-time cost comparison to determine exactly when a purchase starts paying for itself.
We have done the maths so you don't have to. Input your usage and see the verdict in real time, try the TCO Calculator; it takes less than two minutes.
To determine which model aligns with your business objectives, evaluate three core factors:
| Feature | Cherry Picker Hire | CPL Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Model | OPEX: monthly operational expense, 100% tax deductible but builds zero equity | CAPEX: capital investment, builds asset equity and eligible for Section 130 allowances |
| Availability | Dependent on third-party stock, subject to delivery windows and delays | 100% readiness: your vehicle is available 24/7 for emergency call-outs or early starts |
| Maintenance | Managed by the rental provider, with limited control over service history | CPL Care: direct manufacturer support with automated service and LOLER records |
| Specification | Standard off-the-shelf models with limited bespoke options | Bespoke build, tailored to your workflow: whether Utility, Arb or Telecoms |
| Company Branding | Rental-company livery, inconsistent on a client site | Full livery, your logo and reputation on every job |
| Long-term ROI | Sunk cost, expenditure increases with every day in use | Retained value, high resale on Isuzu and Renault chassis gives a residual credit |
When you choose to purchase, you aren't just buying a machine, you join the Klubb Group family. Ownership comes with immediate member perks designed to lower your maintenance costs from day one.
Deciding between hire and purchase is not about a universal right answer, it's about the strategy that aligns with your current growth stage. If project volume fluctuates or capital preservation is your priority, the flexibility of hire is a powerful tool. But if you want to build equity, control your schedule and eliminate recurring rental fees, ownership is the logical next step. The tipping point is different for every business.
It depends entirely on your annual utilisation rate. Hiring is typically cheaper for short-term projects or businesses that only need access platforms a few times a year. But if equipment is in use for more than 100–120 days per year, the cumulative cost of rental usually exceeds the monthly finance and maintenance cost of ownership.
Unlike rental payments (treated as standard operational expense, OPEX), purchasing is a capital investment (CAPEX). In the UK, businesses can often use capital allowances such as Section 130 (Full Expensing) or the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) to deduct a significant portion, even 100%, of the purchase price from taxable profits in the first year.
Generally, no, rental units are built to a standard specification. By purchasing your own vehicle-mounted platform through CPL you can specify a bespoke build: tool racking, high-output power inverters and custom safety lighting tailored to Telecoms, Utilities or Forestry.
Yes, provided it is built on a premium chassis and maintained correctly. CPL platforms are engineered on high-demand Isuzu, Renault or Iveco chassis, the gold standard for the used market, so they retain a high percentage of their value and provide a strong residual credit.
For most short-term maintenance, utility and inspection tasks, a cherry picker is significantly more cost-effective. Scaffolding requires a team to spend hours or days assembling and dismantling before work begins; a vehicle-mounted platform is operational within minutes of arriving on-site.
Ownership through CPL grants access to the CPL Care support ecosystem, including your first LOLER inspection free and a lifetime 10% discount on all genuine spare parts.
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