The Economics of Owning vs Renting a Sewer Jetter

Should you buy a jetter or rent one when you need it? This is a common question for plumbers considering adding jetting to their services. The answer depends on your volume, but the math usually favors ownership faster than you think.

Rental Costs: What You Actually Pay

Jetter rental rates vary by market and machine size, but typical ranges are:

Small cart jetter (2-4 GPM): $200-$350/day
Mid-size jetter (6-10 GPM): $350-$600/day
Large trailer jetter (12+ GPM): $500-$1,000/day
Weekly rates: Typically 3-4x the daily rate

That does not include:

Pickup and return time (easily 1-2 hours round trip)
Fuel for the rental unit
Damage deposits or insurance fees
Nozzles (rentals often come with basic nozzles that are worn and underperforming)

Ownership Costs: The Real Numbers

A capable mid-range jetter for residential and light commercial work runs $8,000-$15,000. Let us use $12,000 as a middle figure and break down the true annual cost of ownership:

Equipment cost (amortized over 5 years): $2,400/year
Nozzles and inserts: $300-$600/year
Hose replacement: $300-$500/year
Pump maintenance: $200-$400/year
Fuel: $500-$1,000/year (varies by usage)

Total annual ownership cost: approximately $3,700-$4,900

The Breakeven Point

Here is where the math gets clear. At an average rental cost of $400/day for a mid-size jetter:

10 rental days/year: $4,000 in rental costs alone
12 rental days/year: $4,800 in rental costs
15 rental days/year: $6,000 in rental costs

If you need a jetter more than 10-12 days per year, owning is already cheaper than renting—and that is before accounting for the revenue difference.

The Revenue Argument

Ownership is not just about cost savings. It is about revenue access. When you own a jetter:

You can jet every day. No waiting for availability, no scheduling around rental returns.
You take jetting calls immediately. When a customer calls needing jetting service, you can go today. A plumber who rents says "Let me schedule that for when I can get the equipment"—and the customer calls someone else.
You offer maintenance contracts. Recurring jetting services are only possible when you have the equipment available on your schedule.
You charge full price. Renters often feel pressure to only jet on "big enough" jobs to justify the rental. Owners jet whenever it is the best solution, even on smaller jobs, because their cost per use is minimal.

Revenue Comparison

A plumber who rents a jetter 12 days a year might complete 15-20 jetting jobs annually, generating $6,000-$12,000 in jetting revenue.

A plumber who owns a jetter and actively markets the service averages 8-15 jetting jobs per week, generating $150,000-$400,000+ in annual jetting revenue.

The equipment does not create the demand—but owning it lets you capture demand that renters cannot.

Hidden Costs of Renting

Worn equipment: Rental units get abused by multiple users. Pumps are worn, hoses are questionable, and the nozzles that come with rentals are often damaged or inappropriate for your specific job.
Unfamiliarity: Every rental unit is slightly different. You waste time figuring out controls, connections, and quirks instead of cleaning pipe.
Scheduling friction: Peak demand times mean the jetter you need may not be available. Weekends and emergencies—when customers pay premium rates—are exactly when rentals are hardest to get.
No customization: You cannot optimize a rental with your preferred nozzles and inserts. You are stuck with whatever comes with the rental.

When Renting Makes Sense

Renting is the right choice in specific situations:

Trying before buying: Rent a few times to confirm jetting is something you want to add to your business before committing capital.
One-off large jobs: You need a 18 GPM trailer unit for a single municipal job but your business is residential. Rent the big machine for that job.
Equipment is in the shop: Your jetter is down for pump rebuild. Rent a unit to keep serving customers while yours is repaired.

Making the Purchase Decision

If you are jetting (or turning down jetting work) more than once a month, buy the machine. Finance it if needed—many equipment financing options offer terms that result in monthly payments lower than a single day of rental.

Invest the savings from ownership into professional nozzles that maximize your machine capabilities. The right nozzles make your mid-range jetter perform like a premium unit.

Shop nozzles at jetterprosupply.com or call (866) 595-0515.