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New vs Used Scaffold: The Finance Angle

Every growing scaffold company hits this question: stretch for a new system, or buy a second-hand fleet at half the price? The finance angle changes the answer more than most owners expect.

The maths that matters: cost per tonne vs hire income

New and used kwikstage earn the same hire rate on site. If used gear costs 40–60% of new, the used fleet's cash-on-cash return can be nearly double — the hire income is identical while the capital outlay halves. New gear wins on other grounds: warranty, compliance paperwork straight off the truck, and supplier finance deals.

Lender appetite compared

New from a dealer/importer: easiest to finance. Clean invoice, clear title, sometimes subsidised rates.
Used via dealer: broadly financeable with an itemised schedule.
Used private sale: the specialist zone — needs PPSR checks, ownership evidence and valuation, but very fundable with the right lender panel.

Depreciation and tax angles

Chattel-mortgage interest is deductible either way; depreciation schedules differ between new and used. Instant asset write-off settings change with budgets — check the current-year rules with your accountant before assuming.

The upgrade play: the smartest deals we see are companies switching to ringlock/Layher who finance the new fleet and sell their kwikstage into the used market — where another growing company finances it. Both sides of that trade are our clients.

A simple decision framework

Growth speed: need gear this week? Used is often faster to source and settle.
Utilisation confidence: locked-in pipeline favours stretching to new; patchy pipeline favours cheaper used steel.
Cash position: preserve working capital — finance the gear, keep cash for wages.
Run the repayment vs hire-income test either way: income above ~1.5× repayment = the gear pays for itself.

Ready to move?
Approval decision in as little as 4 hours — from a broker with 13 years in scaffolding.

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