Why buy equipment you’ll only use once?
We buy things “just for a moment.”
For a renovation. For a move. For one project that was supposed to be quick, simple, and done over a weekend.
Then the equipment ends up in a basement, a garage, or the back of a closet.
And in practice, it’s never used again.
This isn’t an exception. It’s the norm.
Owning sounds good… in theory
Ownership feels like control and independence.
It’s yours. You don’t need to ask anyone. You use it whenever you want.
The problem is that in the real world:
- most equipment is used once or twice,
- it takes up space for years,
- it loses value faster than expected,
- it needs storage, maintenance, and sometimes repairs.
Buying only makes sense if you use the item regularly.
If you need it once in your life, it’s not an investment. It’s a cost.
“I’ll just get a cheap one, it’s fine for one time”
A classic.
“I won’t rent it. I’ll buy a cheap one. It’s enough for this one job.”
Usually, it ends like this:
- the tool performs worse than expected,
- the project takes longer than planned,
- the equipment breaks or barely gets the job done,
- afterwards… you don’t know what to do with it.
The final result:
- you spent money,
- you lost time,
- and you’re left with another item taking up space.
Cheap equipment is often the most expensive option, just with the cost spread differently.
Space has a cost too
Equipment doesn’t disappear after you’re done.
You have to:
- store it somewhere,
- move it when you relocate,
- deal with it when it gets in the way,
- or sell it for a fraction of the price, if anyone even wants it.
Every item kept “just in case” means:
- less space,
- more clutter,
- more decisions,
- more things to manage.
And all you wanted was to solve one specific problem.
When does buying make sense?
Buying equipment does make sense if:
- you use it regularly,
- you know you’ll need it for future projects,
- it actually pays for itself over time.
But if you need something for:
- one renovation,
- one weekend,
- one specific task,
then buying stops being logical.
An alternative that just works
In these cases, renting simply makes more sense:
- you pay only for the time you use it,
- you don’t worry about storage,
- you’re not left with a problem afterward,
- you get access to equipment you wouldn’t normally buy.
This approach:
- saves money,
- saves space,
- saves frustration.
And that’s the point.
You don’t need to own everything
Buying things “just in case” is a habit, not a necessity.
More and more, what matters is using, not owning.
If a piece of equipment solves one problem and then disappears from your life,
it doesn’t have to be yours.
Rent it. Get the job done. Return it. Move on.