Boom lifts are the most popular type of aerial work platform. The high demand for these machines stems from their speed of service and adaptability. They’re more flexible and mobile than ladders and scaffolds, promoting productivity and safety. Discover the best places to rent boom lifts in the United States.
1. Herc Rentals — Best Overall Place to Rent Boom Lifts
Herc Rentals is the best place to rent boom lifts that run on electric, diesel, propane, gasoline, or a combination of electric and diesel. Its wide-ranging lifts are available in multiple drive configurations to move on flat, smooth surfaces or rugged terrain.
This vendor’s fleet includes self-propelled, tracked models and towable ones. Boom lifts are eligible for Herc Rentals’ Rental Protection Plan (RPP), reducing out-of-pocket costs to zero in case of damage and theft. “We’ll swap the damaged equipment covered by RPP so you can get back to work,” the company promises.
With over 730 locations across 46 states, Herc Rentals offers both articulating and telescopic boom lifts with working heights ranging from 30 to 185 feet. Their articulating models provide the dexterity needed to navigate around obstacles, while their telescopic options deliver exceptional reach and stability for working at extreme heights and handling heavy loads. All equipment undergoes comprehensive maintenance between rentals, ensuring it arrives at the jobsite in peak condition.
Herc Rentals’ team of experts helps customers select the exact right equipment for their project, providing consultation on boom lift sizes and capabilities to match specific site requirements. They also coordinate equipment delivery directly to the worksite and offer operator safety training resources, allowing crews to focus on their core tasks while minimizing safety risks.
For projects requiring specialized solutions, Herc Rentals also offers hybrid boom lift options that support sustainability efforts while maintaining performance standards.
Other Top Contenders
Two other brands are worth noting for their boom rental offering.
United Rentals — Noted for Its Network Size
United Rentals is a perfect fit for construction firms with projects scattered across the country. Its expansive network allows it to supply you with diesel-powered, electric, bi-fuel, hybrid and generator-equipped boom lifts.
This vendor’s RPP financially protects your organization in case of accidental equipment damage and theft. It amounts to about 15% of the rental cost and involves a deductible equivalent to 10% of the damage costs.
The Cat Rental Store — Noted for Its Contract Terms
The Cat Rental Store offers flexible contract terms. It permits daily and multiyear agreements without any purchase obligation, allowing you to sign up for a purely long-term rental deal.
This established construction equipment lessor offers a comprehensive protection plan to conserve your insurance coverage limit and prevent future premium hikes. The Cat Rental Store’s rental equipment protection covers collision damage, natural disasters, vandalism, theft and more. If you pass up on this product, you’ll have to submit proof of general liability insurance worth at least $1 million in coverage.
Leading Nationwide Boom Lift Rental Providers at a Glance
Learn about the types of assets these three lessors offer and the size of their store networks.
| Rental Provider | Types of Boom Lifts Offered | Number of Locations |
| Herc Rentals | Articulating boom lifts with 30-135 feet working heights, narrow and wide platform options, and with or without rotating jibs
Telescopic boom lifts with 40-185 feet working heights and high-capacity options Towable boom lifts that support 360-degree turntable rotation and quick setup with hydraulic outriggers |
730-plus across 46 states and most major metropolitan areas |
| United Rentals | Articulating boom lifts with 30-135 feet working heights
Telescopic boom lifts with 40-185 feet working heights and up to 80 feet of horizontal outreach Towable boom lifts with 30-50 feet working heights |
1,380-plus nationwide |
| The Cat Rental Store | Articulating and telescoping boom lifts with 34-125 feet working heights | 1,300-plus nationwide |
Criteria for Evaluating Rentals and Boom Lift Lessors
Consider these factors when sizing up the top boom lift rental companies:
- Boom lift selection: Partner with a lessor that has a broad range of articulating, telescopic and towable boom lifts to choose from more options.
- Equipment specifications: Review the working height, reach and load capacity of a rental provider’s equipment to match your project requirements.
- Terrain suitability: Work with a company that offers assets designed for indoor or outdoor use to operate correctly, efficiently and safely under your jobsite’s ground conditions.
- Power source: Rent from a vendor with diesel, gasoline, liquid propane, electric and hybrid boom lifts to satisfy your runtime needs, comply with emissions regulations and meet your site’s noise restrictions.
- Contract length: Sign an agreement with a lessor that can tailor contracts for your project timelines.
- Rental protection: Ask about this add-on to reduce your liability and avoid filing an insurance claim to cover equipment damage.
- Lessor locations: Source construction equipment rental from a provider with locations near your jobsites to minimize logistical challenges.
- Pricing: Compare and contrast the rent prices of different lessors and seek deals to enjoy the best value.
Owning vs. Renting Boom Lifts
As helpful as these construction staples are, renting them is more practical than buying them outright in most cases. High utilization is the only way to justify purchasing boom lifts and shouldering the associated costs of ownership. If you don’t use them most of the time, you won’t get an excellent return on your investment.
These pieces of heavy equipment will increase your operating costs, whether you operate them in the field or let them collect dust in storage. Boom lifts can fetch significant prices due to high demand and can depreciate quickly once newer models with more innovative features enter the market.
Meanwhile, construction equipment rental providers enable you to source the latest boom lifts without the considerable up-front acquisition cost. Short-term contracts make it easier and more cost-effective to switch to rentals with different capabilities to adapt to new project demands. Although lessees should keep these aerial work platforms in good condition, the lessors remain primarily responsible for maintenance duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most commonly asked questions about boom lift rentals and the leading providers nationwide.
What Is the Best Place to Rent Boom Lifts?
Herc Rentals is the best place to rent boom lifts because it has diverse articulating, telescopic and towable models powered by different fuels. This reputable lessor’s rental equipment protection doesn’t require you to pay anything out of pocket.
What Types of Boom Lifts Are Available?
The types of boom lifts are articulating, telescopic and towable. Articulating boom lifts have multiple joint sections that function like human fingers, while telescopic ones have one straight arm that extends and retracts in a linear motion. Towable boom lifts are lightweight and compact and often have an articulating arm.
What Power Sources Are Available for Boom Lifts?
Boom lifts can run on diesel, gasoline, liquid propane, electricity or two of these fuels. The fuel affects the machine’s performance, efficiency and sustainability.
Why Do People Rent Boom Lifts Instead of Purchasing Them?
Renting boom lifts enables you to procure essential heavy equipment quickly at a fraction of the cost of buying assets. Short-term contracts give you more flexibility to switch units and adapt to new project requirements. Lessees are responsible for everyday care, but lessors are in charge of long-term maintenance.
What Should You Ask the Rental House About?
Ask construction equipment rental providers about their specific boom lift models, store locations, contract lengths and minimum requirements, such as commercial general liability insurance coverage. Inquire about rental rates and available deals to cut costs.
How Do You Compare Boom Lift Rental Options?
Compare similar types of boom lift rentals based on functionality, age and maintenance history. Look for assets with specs that meet your project needs and promote productivity, efficiency and safety. Newer models have more advanced features, but well-maintained older ones can get the job done for less price.
What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a Boom Lift Rental?
Consider a boom lift’s working height, reach, load capability, maneuverability, setup and power source to suit your jobsite’s terrain and ensure high runtime.
When Should You Book a Boom Lift Rental?
Book boom lift rentals once you finalize your project timeline. Do it in advance to ensure the assets you require are available and will arrive at your site in time for when you need them.
What Are the Typical Rental Costs for Boom Lifts?
Boom lift rental costs range from three to five figures, depending on the equipment type, fuel, contract duration, season and location. Renting machines with a greater working height and reach will cost more than comparable units with lesser specifications. Signing a longer agreement during off-peak season in a less competitive market can help you obtain lower rates.
Which Is the Best Place to Rent Boom Lifts for You?
Explore the offerings of Herc Rentals, United Rentals and The Cat Rental Store more deeply to know more about how they can support your construction operations. Check out their rental rates in your location to see which offers the most competitive prices.