Manlift Rental Calculator

Plan lift access budgets using type, height, days, and add-ons with confidence. See detailed totals, savings, and printable summaries for every rental request quickly.

Lift specifications
Use defaults or overwrite rates below.
Working height, not platform height.
Set to 0 if no minimum.

Rates and pricing mode
Monthly assumes 30 days.

Logistics and add-ons
Optional; enter 0 if not needed.

Discount and tax
Percent (0–100) or fixed dollars.
Results appear above the form after submission.

Example Data Table

Lift type Working height (ft) Days Daily ($) Weekly ($) Delivery + Pickup ($) Insurance/day ($) Grand total (sample)
Electric scissor lift 26 10 165 620 300 22 Uses best mix + add-ons
Articulating boom lift 60 21 295 1120 450 30 Often bills by weeks
Vertical mast lift 18 3 135 520 250 18 Short rentals favor daily

Replace these values with supplier quotes to match your project conditions.

Formula Used

The calculator estimates total rental cost by separating the base rental from add-ons, then applying discount and tax.

  • Billable Days = max(Planned Days, Minimum Billable Days)
  • Base Rental (Best Mix) = min cost to cover Billable Days using: Daily, Weekly (7 days), and Monthly (30 days) rates
  • Insurance = Billable Days × Insurance Per Day
  • Operator = Operator Hours × Operator Rate
  • Delivery & Pickup = Delivery Fee + Pickup Fee
  • Fuel Surcharge = Base Rental × (Fuel % ÷ 100)
  • Damage Waiver = Base Rental × (Waiver % ÷ 100)
  • Subtotal Before Discount = Base + Insurance + Operator + Delivery/Pickup + Surcharges + Environmental Fee
  • Discount = Percent × Subtotal (or Fixed Amount)
  • Tax = (Subtotal After Discount) × (Tax % ÷ 100)
  • Grand Total = Subtotal After Discount + Tax

The “Best mix” option uses a day-by-day optimizer to choose the cheapest combination of daily, weekly, and monthly billing blocks.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Select the lift type and enter the required working height.
  2. Choose terrain and outreach to get an informational lift suggestion.
  3. Enter planned rental days and any minimum billable requirement.
  4. Paste vendor rates or keep the suggested default rates.
  5. Add delivery, pickup, insurance, and any operator hours if needed.
  6. Apply surcharge percentages, environmental fees, discounts, and tax.
  7. Click calculate to see the full breakdown above the form.
  8. Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save the estimate.
Manlift Rental Cost Planning Guide

1) Why rental planning matters

Access equipment is a critical path item. A missed delivery window or an underestimated duration can ripple into overtime and trade stacking. This calculator helps you model daily, weekly, and monthly billing so you can reserve the right lift and protect productivity.

2) Understanding rate structures

Suppliers commonly quote a daily rate and a discounted weekly or monthly rate. Assume 7 days per week and 30 days per month for billing blocks. Selecting “Best mix” minimizes the base rental by combining blocks to cover the billable days at the lowest cost.

3) Billable days and minimums

Many vendors set minimum billable days for short tasks. Use the larger of planned days and the minimum to avoid surprises. If your crew expects weather delays, inspections, or restricted work hours, add a buffer so the estimate stays realistic.

4) Logistics: delivery and pickup

Delivery and pickup can be a fixed fee, mileage-based, or tiered by distance and lift size. For remote sites or tight urban zones, logistics may include permits, escorts, or off-hour scheduling. Enter both delivery and pickup to capture the complete transportation impact.

5) Insurance, damage waiver, and risk

Daily insurance and optional damage waivers are common line items. Waivers are typically calculated as a percentage of the base rental, while insurance is often per day. Consider your contract requirements, operator training, and site controls when deciding how much coverage to carry.

6) Fuel and environmental charges

Diesel and hybrid units may incur fuel surcharges when energy costs fluctuate. Some suppliers add environmental or service fees for maintenance, fluids, and disposal. Treat these as predictable overheads and include them in your estimate so your bid or internal budget reflects total ownership of the rental.

7) Operator time and jobsite efficiency

If you plan to rent with an operator or allocate internal labor to run the lift, quantify hours and rates. Operator costs can exceed the base rental on complex work. Pair the lift type to the task: vertical access favors scissors or masts, while horizontal reach typically favors boom lifts.

8) Discounts, taxes, and approval-ready totals

Discounts may be a fixed amount or a percentage applied before tax. Taxes are usually calculated on the discounted subtotal, but local rules vary. Use the CSV and PDF exports to share a breakdown with procurement or clients and keep decisions consistent across projects.

FAQs

1) What is “working height” and why does it matter?

Working height is typically the platform height plus reach allowance. It helps you select a lift that safely reaches the task without over-sizing and paying for unnecessary capacity.

2) When should I use “Best mix (minimized)” pricing?

Use it when your vendor provides daily, weekly, and monthly rates. The calculator chooses the cheapest combination to cover billable days, which is useful for rentals near weekly or monthly breakpoints.

3) How do I handle weekend or idle days?

If the lift stays on site, suppliers often bill calendar days. Enter the full time the unit is reserved. If you can off-rent between phases, run separate estimates for each rental period.

4) Are delivery and pickup always fixed fees?

No. Some quotes depend on distance, lift size, site access, or timing. If your quote is mileage-based, convert it into estimated delivery and pickup amounts and enter those values here.

5) What should I enter for insurance and damage waiver?

Use your vendor’s published daily insurance and waiver percentage, or your contract’s required coverage cost. If you provide your own insurance, set the daily amount to zero and keep the waiver optional.

6) Does this calculator recommend a specific model?

No. The suggested lift type is informational only, based on height, terrain, and outreach. Always confirm load capacity, platform size, ground pressure, and site restrictions with the rental provider.

7) Why is tax applied after discount?

Many jurisdictions tax the net rental charge after discounts, though rules vary. This calculator applies tax to the discounted subtotal for a conservative, procurement-friendly breakdown.

Accurate rentals help crews work safely and efficiently daily.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.