Buying vs Hiring a Compressor
What’s Right for Your Business?
Compressed air is essential across a wide range of industries, from construction and civil to manufacturing, mining, food and beyond. But when it’s time to bring in a new compressor, there’s always one big question:
Should you hire, or should you buy?
The right answer depends on how you use compressed air, your budget, and the demands of your projects. In this post, we break down the key considerations to help you make the best decision for your business.
Project Duration & Frequency
If your project is short-term or seasonal, hiring a compressor can be a smart and flexible option. Hiring gives you access to high-quality equipment without the long-term commitment.
Hire if:
- You’re working on a short-term job or one-off project
- Your workload changes frequently or varies by season
- You need compressed air occasionally or in bursts
Buy if:
- You use compressors regularly, day in and day out
- You’re managing ongoing or long-term operations
- You need a permanent air solution on-site
Flexibility vs Long-Term Value
Hiring offers flexibility. You can upsize, downsize, or switch between electric and diesel compressors depending on what the job needs, without being locked into a single unit.
Buying offers better value over time, particularly if you’re using compressed air consistently across jobs or locations.
Hiring gives you:
- More agility
- Access to the latest gear
- No strings attached
Buying gives you:
- Long-term cost savings
- Equipment ownership
- Greater control
Maintenance and Repairs
One of the biggest advantages of hiring is that maintenance is taken care of for you. There’s no downtime, no unexpected repair bills, just reliable support when you need it.
Buying means taking on the maintenance yourself, though many businesses choose to sign up to an Air Powered Service Agreement to simplify this process.
At Air Powered, our service team supports both hire and sales customers, so you’re never left waiting when something needs attention.
Hire = hassle free support
Buy = full ownership responsibility
Capital vs Operating Expenses
There’s also a financial angle to consider. Buying a compressor is a capital expense, while hiring is usually classed as an operating expense.
If you’re reading this close to the end of the financial year, buying may be the smarter move, especially if you’re looking to reduce your tax liability.
Hiring gives you:
- Lower upfront cost
- Predictable payments
- No asset depreciation to manage
Buying gives you:
- An asset you can own
- Long-term return on investment
- Potential tax advantages through depreciation or the instant asset write-off
Transport and Storage
Hiring gives you freedom from storage and logistics. We deliver compressors directly to site, and when the job’s done, we pick them up. Simple.
Buying makes sense when you have a permanent site or the ability to transport and store the unit yourself.
When to Hire from Air Powered:
- You’ve had an unexpected breakdown
- You’re working on a short-term job
- You need a specific compressor for a specific task
- You want to test a unit before committing to purchase
- You need air on-site fast, without capital spend
When to Buy from Air Powered:
- You need a permanent, reliable air supply
- You’re using compressed air every day
- You want to invest in long-term efficiency
- You’re ready to take advantage of EOFY tax benefits
- You’re building or upgrading your fleet
Not Sure? Let’s Talk
Every business is different, that’s why we offer both compressor hire and compressor sales, backed by expert advice and 35+ years of compressed air experience.
Whether you need a short-term fix or a long-term solution, our team is here to help you choose the right path.
