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Published on July 23, 2020

Measure Twice, Cut Once : What to Consider When Purchasing a Piece of Construction Equipment

What to Consider When Purchasing a Piece of Construction Equipment

As the old saying goes: measure twice, cut once. This simple practice can save a lot of time and a lot of money, particularly when you are talking about equipment use.

Before starting your project, there are many things that you should consider about your equipment needs. First, you will need to identify the full scope of work. Next, you will need to build a budget that accommodates that scope of work. And last, but certainly not least, you will need to think about what type of machinery you need to get the job done.

At Ziegler CAT, we work closely with our customers to show them all their options when it comes to purchasing, leasing, or renting equipment. In this post, we’ve assembled a few things to think about in this post to get you moving in the right direction.

  • Make sure that you have a clear understanding of your jobsite and its potential challenges. How large is it? What are the environmental conditions? Are there any regulatory requirements or restrictions? Will weather be a factor?
  • Based on the jobsite, consider the size of equipment you will need. Larger machinery may help you get the project completed more quickly, but you also have to weigh that against fuel efficiency, maneuverability, storage, and potential maintenance costs.
  • Try to determine if there will be idle periods for the equipment while you focus on other tasks. Equipment that is not in use still has to be paid for, so you want to minimize machinery downtime. In other words, plan ahead to maximize the equipment’s usage schedule.
  • Think about any specialty items or attachments that you might need. Identifying specific uses up front will help you avoid unnecessary delays or unexpected costs once work has started.
  • Finally, have a contingency plan built in, in the event that you encounter maintenance or repair issues.

At Ziegler, we can help you create a project scope and cost analysis that helps you expect the unexpected, positions you for success, and ensures that you come in on time and within budget.

To discuss different options that best fit your needs, contact a Ziegler sales representative or find your nearest branch at www.zieglercat.com/locations.

Posted In: Construction

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