Aerial work platform rental: calculating cost per day and total cost correctly
Renting an aerial work platform costs, depending on type and working height, around €80 per day for a small electric scissor lift up to 10 m and up to around €1,100 per day for a large truck-mounted platform. For budgeting, however, the daily rate alone is not enough: transport, insurance, rental period and choosing the right type determine what the job really costs in the end.
Buyers and site managers know the situation: three quotes for the same task are often far apart. This is rarely due to the daily rate but to the items alongside it - sometimes transport is included, sometimes not, sometimes a weekly rate applies, sometimes a daily rate. This guide shows how to turn the four cost blocks into a reliable overall calculation, and works through a job step by step.
Whether you say 'aerial work platform', 'MEWP', 'cherry picker' or 'boom lift': it is the same machine category under NBN EN 280, and the same prices apply. You will find an overview of all types on the page Aerial work platform rental.
Renting an aerial work platform costs around €80 to €1,100 per day - depending on type and height
The daily rate increases with working height, outreach and technical complexity. The following overview gives guide ranges from Luibl's rental business for the daily rental:
| Type | Working height | Daily rental (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric scissor lift | 6-10 m | €80-130 |
| Electric scissor lift | 12-18 m | €130-220 |
| Diesel scissor lift | 15-26 m | €200-360 |
| Articulating boom lift | 12-18 m | €180-280 |
| Articulating boom lift | 20-30 m | €280-450 |
| Telescopic boom lift | 18-28 m | €320-500 |
| Telescopic boom lift | 30-43 m | €500-750 |
| Truck-mounted platform | 17-24 m | €450-700 |
| Truck-mounted platform | 28-40 m | €700-1,100 |
| Spider lift | 12-20 m | €300-460 |
| Trailer-mounted platform | 10-16 m | €100-190 |
Guide values, as of 08/2026, net excl. VAT. Transport, insurance and accessories are not included.
The weekly and monthly ranges per type can be found in the guide Aerial work platform rental: cost per day, week and month. This article focuses on how to derive the total cost of your project from the daily rate.
Aerial work platform, MEWP, cherry picker: same machine, same pricing logic
Anyone searching for 'aerial work platform rental cost per day' or 'cherry picker hire cost' ends up with the same machines. In everyday language, 'cherry picker' usually refers to a truck-mounted or trailer-mounted platform, 'MEWP' to any platform with a basket. What determines the price is not the name but the type and working height. Not meant here is the fixed vehicle lift in a garage - it is not part of the rental fleet.
The total cost of an aerial work platform consists of four items
A complete quote shows four cost blocks. If one is missing, the quote is not comparable.
1. Machine rental
The rental price for the machine, staggered by day, week or month. It covers the inspected machine with a valid inspection certificate. All aerial work platforms from Luibl Rental are handed over with a valid periodic inspection by an EDTC/SECT.
2. Transport
Self-propelled aerial work platforms arrive by low-loader. Luibl Rental delivers with its own low-loader fleet throughout Belgium, delivered by low-loader to your site. Transport costs depend on the machine and the location and are available on request. Calculate delivery and collection separately. Truck-mounted platforms drive to the site themselves, so no low-loader is needed.
3. Insurance and liability
Rental damage insurance is recommended for damage to the rental machine. The cost depends on the scope of cover. Check in the quote whether insurance is included and which excess applies.
4. Operation and additional costs
Fuel for diesel machines, electricity for charging electric machines, cleaning in case of heavy soiling and accessories such as basket extensions. Personal fall protection equipment (PPE) is provided by the hirer. There may also be costs for operator qualification - what is required is explained in the guide IPAF and operator card.
A longer rental period significantly reduces the cost per day
The rental period is the strongest lever on the effective daily rate. As a rule of thumb: a weekly rental costs about 4-5 daily rates, a monthly rental about 12-15 daily rates.
This is how it works out for an electric scissor lift with a daily rate of €100:
| Rental period | Rental price | Cost per working day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €100 | €100 |
| 1 week (5 working days) | €400-500 | €80-100 |
| 1 month (approx. 21 working days) | €1,200-1,500 | approx. €57-71 |
It follows that: from four days of use, a weekly rental is usually cheaper than individual days. Plan jobs so that the machine works continuously, instead of returning it during gaps in the construction schedule and having it delivered again - every additional transport quickly eats up the tiered-rate advantage. For projects lasting more than four weeks, a tailored quote is worthwhile.
Calculation example: how to budget an aerial work platform job step by step
A drywall contractor is renovating a hall from the inside. The ceiling is at 12 m, the work lasts three weeks, and the floor is a level industrial floor.
Step 1 - choose the type: The working height already includes around 2 m of reach above the platform; with some reserve, the choice falls on around 14 m. No obstacles, lots of material on the platform, indoor use: an electric scissor lift in the 12-18 m class.
Step 2 - machine rental: daily rate €130-220. Three weeks at 4-5 daily rates = 12-15 daily rates = approx. €1,560-3,300.
Step 3 - transport: delivery and collection are charged separately; transport costs are available on request.
Step 4 - insurance and additional costs: as per quote; electricity for charging is provided by the business, fall protection PPE is generally not required on scissor lifts unless the risk analysis indicates otherwise.
Result: roughly €2,000–4,300 excl. VAT, plus insurance, for three weeks. That works out at about €130–290 per working day — a figure that lets you compare quotes fairly.
Indicative calculation without guarantee. You receive the binding price with the quote.
Checklist for comparing quotes
- Is transport included, and does the price cover delivery and collection?
- Which rental period is the price based on (day, week, month)?
- Is insurance included, and how high is the excess?
- What exact working height and load capacity does the machine offered have?
- Are the inspection certificate and operating manual supplied on handover?
The right type of aerial work platform saves more than any discount
The cheapest machine per day is not automatically the cheapest for the project. Three cases show how the type shifts the total cost:
- Scissor lift instead of articulating boom lift: If the work point is directly above the standing surface, the scissor lift is cheaper and carries more material. In the Luibl rental fleet, scissor lifts carry up to 1,134 kg on the platform.
- Articulating boom lift instead of repositioning: On facades with many work points or obstacles, the boom reaches several spots from one position. The higher daily rate is often offset by the repositioning time saved. The direct comparison is in the guide Articulating boom lift or scissor lift.
- One machine instead of two: A roto telehandler with a man basket can handle both material handling and work at height on some sites. What a telehandler costs is explained in the guide Telehandler rental: costs.
The drive also matters: electric aerial work platforms have no fuel costs and operate without local emissions, but need firm, level ground. Which type suits which job is explained in the decision guide Which aerial work platform for which job?
Season and job location determine availability, not the calculation logic
In spring and summer many facade, roof and outdoor projects start at the same time, and certain platform classes are then heavily booked. Early planning secures the right machine and avoids fallback solutions with a larger, more expensive machine.
The job location affects costs mainly through transport. So please state the exact address in your request — the location of your site determines the transport item. Delivery throughout Belgium.
Renting or buying an aerial work platform: the sums only start at around 150 days of use per year
Buying your own machine typically only pays off from about 150–250 days of use per year, depending on machine class and purchase price. Below that, renting is usually more economical: no tied-up capital, no organising of inspections and maintenance, no storage. The full calculation and the costs owners bear are shown in the guide Rent or buy an aerial work platform?
A reliable quote: these five details make the rental price of your aerial work platform accurate
The more precise the request, the more precise the quote. Our planning team needs these five details:
- Working height of the highest work point
- Outreach or obstacles between the standing surface and the work point
- Job location and ground (address, indoor or outdoor, floor surface, access width)
- Rental period with planned start
- Load on the platform (people, tools, material)
With these details you receive an itemised quote including transport. All types at a glance can be found under Aerial work platform rental and Rent aerial work platforms.
Frequently asked questions about aerial work platform rental costs
How much does an aerial work platform cost per day?
Around €80–130 for a small electric scissor lift up to 10 m, €180–450 for articulating boom lifts and up to about €1,100 for large truck-mounted platforms. These are indicative ranges excl. VAT, without transport and insurance.
How much does it cost to rent a lifting platform?
The same as an aerial work platform, because 'lifting platform' is a common name for the same machine. The price depends on type, working height and rental period.
How much does a cherry picker cost per day?
Cherry picker usually refers to truck-mounted or trailer-mounted platforms. Trailer-mounted platforms of 10–16 m cost about €100–190 per day, truck-mounted platforms, depending on height, about €450–1,100 per day.
Is transport included in the daily rate?
No, transport is calculated separately. For machines up to about 16 m, expect around €200–500 per delivery, depending on the location of the site. Truck-mounted platforms drive to the job location themselves.
Is weekly rental worthwhile even for a few days of use?
Yes, usually from four days. A weekly rental costs about 4–5 daily rates and is therefore generally cheaper than individual days from the fourth day of use.