Contractors responding to our buying intentions survey had some surprising answers when asked if they made any changes to their equipment buying and rental practices in 2020.
Even through the initial year of the pandemic almost 40% of respondents said they bought equipment, another 29% said they bought parts, and 17% said they rented more equipment last year. Another 15%, however, said they canceled equipment orders and 17% said they bought used equipment instead of new.
This survey reflects the responses of 150 contractors to an Equipment World online survey.
"A change in equipment opened up the opportunity to take on more work," says a Connecticut roadbuilder. A Michigan specialty contractor told us, "Covid held up the commercial work but residential stayed strong."
Added a Pennsylvania excavating contractor: "Low interest rates made it possible to purchase several machines."
