Breakdown of Forklift Rental Costs: What You’ll Pay & Why

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Forklift?

Every forklift rental is different, but the questions are the same. How can we get the most out of the machine for the least amount of money? What type of forklift do we need? And, the real kicker, are there extra costs that we don’t know about? We wrote this article for just one reason: to give you as much information as we can about forklift rental costs. Here are the topics we plan to cover:

Typical forklift rental rates
Factors that influence price
Breakdown of cost by type of forklift
What’s included in a rental quote
How the forklift rental process works

Overview of Typical Forklift Rental Costs

Forklift rental costs can range anywhere from $150 to $1,400 per day depending on the size and capacity of the machine. A typical daily forklift rental will be between $300 and $400. Smaller forklifts meant for lighter pallets and indoor use sit at the lower end of that range. Larger machines with higher weight capacity or rough terrain tires push toward the higher end.

When you’re looking at price, keep in mind the duration of your rental. If you plan to rent the forklift for a week, you will spend less money per day if you choose the weekly rate. For example, the Hyster S40-70FT (you know, the 5,000-lb forklift you typically see in a big box store) has an 8-hour day rental rate of $197 but a 40-hour week rental rate of $592.

Who Usually Rents a Forklift

Many forklift rentals are business-to-business. Contractors often need a machine for unloading oversized pallets or for handling short-term client jobs. Warehouses may also bring in extra forklifts during busy seasons when demand is higher than their current fleet can handle. And sometimes, we’ll see an event crew or an industrial operations team rent one for setup and tear down.

Because rentals are structured for businesses, you can expect insurance checks, rental agreements, and credit approval. These steps protect both you and the dealer during the rental process.

Factors that Impact Price

Several things influence the final number on your rental quote:

Lift capacity: The heavier your load, the larger the forklift required. Larger machines cost more to rent.
Rental duration: Daily, weekly, or monthly rates are priced differently.
Delivery and pickup: Transporting the forklift to and from your job site is typically a separate fee.

Breakdown of Rental Costs by Type of Forklift

Below are the average daily rates for the different forklift rentals that Berry Material Handling offers. Keep in mind that your final rental costs will depend on your unique situation. These final costs will be communicated to you clearly by the rental expert that you’re working with.

Cushion Tire Forklifts ($149 – $448 per day*)

Built with smooth, solid tires, these forklifts are best for indoor use on concrete floors. They’re compact and maneuver easily in tight warehouse spaces. They are not designed for rough outdoor surfaces.

Pneumatic Tire Forklifts ($157 – $1,442 per day*)

These forklifts use air-filled or solid pneumatic tires, giving them better traction on gravel, dirt, and uneven ground. They’re great for outdoor or heavy-duty jobsites.

Electric Sit-Down Forklifts ($213 – $271 per day*)

Powered by rechargeable batteries, these forklifts run quietly with zero emissions. They’re ideal for indoor work where clean air and lower noise levels matter.

Narrow Aisle Forklifts ($227 – $266 per day*)

Designed for tight warehouse aisles, these forklifts can navigate small spaces where standard forklifts can’t. They let you store and retrieve pallets in high racks without wasting square footage.

Order Selectors ($236 per day*)

Order selectors lift operators up with the load so they can hand-select items from racking. They’re perfect for warehouses that handle lots of small, individual products.

Electric Stand-Up Forklifts ($287 – $339 per day*)

These are designed for operators who hop on and off often. The stand-up design makes them efficient enough for use in fast-paced warehouse environments.

Walkie Stackers ($95 per day*)

Compact and easy to use, walkie stackers lift and stack pallets in smaller spaces. Operators walk behind the machine. A walkie stacker is a step up from a pallet jack.

Pallet Jacks ($35 – $123 per day*)

Simple and affordable, pallet jacks are your basic tool for moving pallets across short distances. They’re best for loading docks, stockrooms, and tight areas where larger equipment can’t fit.

*Prices exclusive to Berry Material Handling. Taxes and additional fees may apply. Rental price may vary by product type, series, model, and available inventory. Some restrictions apply; see store for details.

What’s Included in a Rental Quote

When you call Berry Material Handling, we will walk you through what is covered. Our #1 goal is that you walk away with no surprise costs. A typical quote includes:

The daily rental rate for the forklift
Delivery and pickup charges (based on mileage)
Any fuel charges if the machine is returned less than full

Our rental quotes are designed to make sure that you know exactly what you will pay for before you receive the forklift.

What the Rental Process Looks Like at Berry Material Handling

When you rent from Berry Material Handling, the process starts with a quick phone call. We will ask about the weight of your load, how high you need to lift it, and where the forklift will be working. From there, we will match you with the right machine, making sure that you are happy with that machine’s capabilities.

Our team will schedule delivery and pickup around your timeline. Rental paperwork and agreements are handled up front, and our team makes sure you know exactly what is included in the quote before the machine arrives. And keep in mind that you will be responsible for any charges related to taxes or insurance for your rental forklift.

Get a Forklift Rental Quote Today

Done the right way, forklift rental costs should be transparent, reasonable, and clear. They should make sense to the operator and the dealer. Our Rental team takes the time to learn the specifics of your situation and to help you get what you need at the right price for your business. If you’re ready to get started with a forklift rental, call your nearest Berry Material Handling team today: