To lease or not to lease? This is an issue many business owners often face. If your firm is weighing the pros and cons of leasing versus buying, here are some things to keep in mind.
Cost
Evaluating costs is more complicated than comparing the price of leasing a piece of equipment versus its purchase price. Consider the following:
- How soon will the equipment need to be upgraded or replaced? Highly technical or specialized equipment becomes obsolete quickly and may be a good candidate for leasing.
- How will you arrange for service and repair? Leasing arrangements often include maintenance of the equipment. If you’re thinking of buying, research the equipment’s repair history as well as the cost and availability of reliable service.
- How long will you need the equipment? If your use will be short-term, then leasing may be the better option.
Cash
If you’ve been leasing your equipment, then your costs have been predictable. Purchasing equipment can substantially alter your cash flow and affect your business’ finances:
- Can you save money by buying or leasing equipment? If — and when — cash savings will be realized is an important factor for you to weigh.
- Do you have the cash available to purchase the equipment? If you use cash for a down payment, you may have less cash for operating and other business expenses.
- How will financing your equipment purchases affect your ability to get credit for other things? If you anticipate having future credit needs, you may want to avoid adding equipment loans to your current debt load.
If you’re weighing leasing versus buying, give us a call at (973) 301-2300. We can help you look at how the various options will play out.