What is 'cost per use' and why does it matter?

Cost per use divides the total lifetime cost of owning something by the number of times you use it. It reveals the true price of each use — which is often surprisingly high for infrequently used items.

What is included in the ownership cost?

The calculator includes the purchase price, annual maintenance (as a percentage of purchase price), and depreciation over the item's expected lifespan. It does not include storage, insurance, or opportunity cost — all of which make ownership more expensive.

How does renting compare on a per-use basis?

When you rent, you pay only for the days you use the item. There is no maintenance, no storage overhead, no depreciation to absorb, and no repair risk. For occasional use, renting cost-per-use is almost always lower.

What items have the highest cost per use?

Items with high purchase prices and low usage frequency — like cement mixers, generators, scaffolding, and professional cameras — often have very high per-use costs when owned. These are ideal candidates for renting.

True ownership cost

Cost Per Use Calculator

A €600 cement mixer used 3 times per year costs €200 each time you touch it — before maintenance. See the real per-use economics of ownership versus renting only when you need it.

Configure the item

Item type

Purchase price (€)

Times used per year

Expected lifespan (years)

Annual maintenance (% of price)

Daily rental rate (€/day)

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Find items to rent near you, list your own to earn, or download the app to get started.

Understanding the true cost of ownership

Purchase price is just the start

The sticker price is what you pay upfront, but ownership includes maintenance, servicing, storage, and the cost of the item's eventual failure or obsolescence.

Infrequent use amplifies per-use cost

An item used 3 times per year has its fixed annual costs spread across just 3 uses. Increase your usage or rent instead to bring that per-use cost down.

Renting has no hidden costs

When you rent on Life4Rent, you pay the daily rate — that's it. No maintenance budget, no repair risk, no storage to arrange.

The idle item problem

Items sitting unused still depreciate and require storage. That idle drone or pressure washer in your garage is costing you money every month it sits untouched.

Frequently asked questions

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