As the owner of a small construction company, you may choose to rent certain construction equipment because you don't need certain machines on a regular basis or you might need more machines than usual for certain projects. In order to prevent problems and additional expenditures, here are some things you should find out about renting construction machines. 

Load Weight Limit of the Machine You Need

If you aren't used to using certain cranes, bucket trucks, forklifts and other equipment regularly, you may not know much weight they can withstand. Overloading machines might cause them to malfunction and may also be dangerous for personnel on site. Every model is different, even within certain brands, so it is important that you ask about the specific machines you are renting.

Whether an Operator Will Accompany the Machine

While some construction equipment rental companies only rent out the machines themselves, there are some rental businesses that provide the services of a machine operator as well. This can be particularly valuable to you if you need certain equipment but no one on your work site is licensed to operate it. It is tempting to allow someone from your team to operate the machine without the proper licensing, but if they don't have the proper credentials, you cannot be sure that they know what they are doing. Not only that, but if an inspector arrives on site, you may find yourself facing costly fees for not having an appropriate operator.

Whether You Must Get a Permit

Because you are not using certain equipment, you might not be aware that you need a municipal permit to operate certain machinery. For example, you might need a conditional use permit to operate a cement mixer. Be sure to ask the rental company, as they should be aware of any permits you need for the equipment you want to rent. You can also contact the local zoning office or permits office to make certain that you are meeting all municipal requirements.

Whether You Must Pay for Any Extra Costs

It is important to be aware of additional costs that you might be responsible for when you rent equipment. For instance, you may plan to head back to the rental company right after you are done using the machine; however, some companies charge you a fee if the construction equipment isn't cleaned well when you return it. You might also be charged for the amount of fuel you use. Get some idea of additional charges that you will have to pay so that you can have money set aside for those charges.

With the information above, you can feel confident that you are prepared to rent construction equipment without any surprises. Consult a rental company like LAX Equipment Rental to determine what solutions they can offer you.