Lease or Buy a Commercial Dishwasher - Which Is Better?

stainless steel warewashing section with stainless steel conveyor dishwasher, sinks and tabling

 

Should I buy or lease a Commercial Dishwasher?

The commercial dishwasher is a crucial part of any catering business. But is it better to lease or buy one? For guidance, consider the following pros and cons.

Pros of buying:

- You own the machine outright, so there are no ongoing costs.

- You can choose the model and brand that best suits your needs.

- You can trade in or sell the dishwasher when you upgrade to a new model.

Pros of leasing:

- Leasing commercial dishwashers is often cheaper than buying outright.

- You can easily upgrade to a new or different model.

- Maintenance and repairs are often included in the lease agreement.

Cons of buying:

- The initial cost of buying a commercial dishwasher can be high.

- You may need to replace parts or the whole machine sooner than if you had leased it.

Cons of leasing:

- You don't own the commercial dishwasher, so you may need to return it at the end of the lease period.

- There may be restrictions on how you use the dishwasher, such as how many hours per day you can use the machine.

The above may be the nitty-gritty of the matter, but there are several other things to consider.

Buying a Dishwasher for your Business

The obvious point is that you own the machine outright. Most commercial retailers will offer - easy payment options, BACS/instant bank transfer, safe card payments, and PayPal.

You will always get a warranty with the machine and possibly an extended warranty if you pay that little bit extra, so you know that you're covered should any problems occur.

When buying a commercial dish washer outright you are in a position to sell the dishwasher when you upgrade to a new model, which can help to offset the cost of the new machine.

Leasing a Commercial Dishwasher

Leasing commercial dishwashers have become increasingly popular with businesses in recent years, we have listed the pros and cons above, but the main reason for the popularity of this option is that it allows businesses to spread the cost of what can be expensive equipment.

When you lease a commercial dishwasher, your business can quickly upgrade to a new or better-suited model - ideal if your business grows, and you need a more powerful machine but don't have the ready budget to buy outright.

When leasing commercial dish washers and glasswashers the standard warranty from the manufacturer still applies so that help is always available should you need it without any unexpected costs.

We offer to pay in three equal interest-free installments with IwocaPay. Not conventional leasing, but we are committed to providing excellent service, so we are happy to offer a fantastic alternative. Read more here.

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Save On Tax when Leasing Commercial Warewashers

When you lease commercial dishwashing equipment, you can currently claim back up to 100% of the VAT. Saving this way is because leasing commercial catering equipment is considered an operating lease, which comes under the 'VAT rules for short-term leases'.

You must meet specific terms to qualify, so it's always best to speak to your accountant or give HMRC a call.

Commercial Dishwashers and the ETL

Undercounter dishwashers and hood-type dishwashers, also known as pass-throughs, may be coming to ETL (Energy Technology List) soon, meaning businesses may benefit from the ECA scheme - but what does this mean in real terms?

The ETL or Energy Technology List includes energy-saving technologies eligible for tax relief. The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme allows businesses to claim 100% first-year tax relief on their investments in certain energy-saving plants and machinery.

Research is underway to add new products to the ETL. Commercial dishwashers that meet the efficiency criteria set by the government could soon be added to the ETL, making them eligible for tax relief through the ECA scheme. Tax relief like this would be a significant boost for businesses considering investing in commercial dishwashers, as they would be able to offset some of the cost against their taxable profits.

The government is reportedly consulting on adding commercial dishwashers to the ETL later this year, so we should know more soon. In the meantime, let's talk about our price match promise.

Price Match Promise and Other Benefits

Buy through FFD Catering Equipment and you can expect to get the best deal, and that's guaranteed. Found a product elsewhere for cheaper? Send us a valid sales quote and we'll do our very best to match or beat that price.

Plus you receive expert customer care and a first class service to guarantee that you're looked after through every step of the buying process and after care support throughout the lifetime of your equipment.

Gill Lester
Gill Lester
Content Writer

Since joining the FFD Group in 2013 as a novice to the industry, I have produced a large repository of informative content surrounding commercial refrigeration, catering equipment and grease management solutions. From the onset, I threw myself into understanding the technical ins and outs of the industry...