How Much Does a Painting Lift Rental Cost? [2025 Data]
The average cost to rent a lift for painting is $650, but it may cost between $500 and $1,425, depending on the lift type and rental duration.
The cost to rent a lift to paint a house is $650 on average, but it can cost as little as $100 or as much as $2,200 depending on how long you rent it for and what type of lift you choose.
A fresh coat of paint on your home’s exterior can increase the curb appeal and value of your home. If you’re looking to tackle the project yourself, you’ll likely need to rent a lift, such as a boom lift or scissor lift. If you have an interior painting project with high ceilings, you might also want to use a lift. Here’s how much to budget based on the project and what type of lift you need.
Painting Lift Rental Cost by Type
Depending on your state and local regulations, you may need certification to rent and operate a lift. Double-check any local laws beforehand to avoid more expensive fines. Additionally, you may need a building permit or similar certification from your local government to operate a lift on-site. In both of these cases, you may want to consider hiring a professional, who will have all the necessary certifications and paperwork for the job.
| Lift Type | Daily Average Rate | Weekly Average Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Boom lift | $450 | $1,120 |
| Electric scissor lift | $230 | $520 |
| Rough terrain scissor lift | $420 | $1,000 |
Boom Lift
Boom lifts cost on average around $450 for a daily rental. It features a base, maneuverable arm, and work platform, with full 360-degree rotation. There are a few different types of boom lifts, such as articulating, towable, and telescopic booms.
For painting the exterior of your home, articulating booms and towable booms are likely the best option. These lifts go up to 30 or 40 feet, or higher.
Telescopic booms go even higher, such as 60 or 80 feet, which is not necessary for residential use. Articulating booms have joints that make it easy to target a specific area of your house. Booms can be battery-operated, electric, or diesel-powered.
Electric Scissor Lift
Electric scissor lift rental costs on average $230 per day. These only go up and down, and don’t rotate like a boom lift. You can use them both indoors and outdoors, making them great for painting your home’s exterior or a tall ceiling or wall inside.
Scissor lifts are often available in smaller sizes and can range in height from 10 feet to 60 feet. Beyond electric scissor lifts, there are also battery-powered ones.
Rough Terrain Scissor Lift
Rough terrain scissor lifts are similar in cost to a boom lift, averaging around $420 per day. They are designed for uneven or sloped surfaces, such as dirt, gravel, or sand. You might want a rough terrain lift if you’re painting a newly constructed home or a barn, where you need the lift to travel over difficult terrain. Rough terrain lifts go up and down, but don’t rotate at all. They can reach up to 60 feet and are usually diesel-powered.
Painting Lift Rental Cost Breakdown
The cost of renting an aerial lift for your house painting project depends on the type of lift and how high you need to go. But it also depends on how long you need the lift and whether you need the rental company to deliver it.
Availability
In times of high demand, you may find rental prices increasing. If your project timeline has any flexibility, it may be worth waiting to see if supply increases and prices drop.
Reach Height
Two-story homes are usually 20 feet tall, so you won’t need a lift that goes higher than that (unless your home is three stories or taller than average). Make sure you don’t overpay for a lift height you don’t need.
Delivery
Getting an aerial lift delivered to your property can cost anywhere from $75 to $200 each way, depending on where you live and how far the rental company is from your house. If you have a vehicle that can tow the lift, you can save money on your project.
Length of Rental
It usually takes two to three days to paint the exterior of a house if you’re experienced and there are at least two people working on the project. If it’s just you, it might take a couple of weekends or longer.
Painting an interior room in your home only takes one to three days, depending on the time you need to wait between coats.
Factor in your availability to finish the project. If you’re only able to paint on the weekends, it may be more cost-effective to hire a professional painter to finish it sooner and save on daily rental costs.
| Total Rental Days | Lift Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Boom | $1,350 |
| 5 | Electric Scissor | $1,150 |
| 10 | Boom | $4,500 |
Location
As with anything, the cost of living in your local area will affect what you spend on renting a lift. Rental prices will likely be higher in metropolitan areas as opposed to rural towns. Delivery charges may also raise your price if the job site is far from the lift supplier.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Paint Your House
Hiring a pro to paint the exterior of your home costs between $0.50 to $3.50 per square foot. They handle all of the prep work and ensure the final product is durable, looks great, and is long-lasting. They also handle any necessary equipment rental. Get quotes from at least three local house painters to compare prices.
Hiring an interior painter near you costs $2 to $6 per square foot. If you do the project yourself, you need the proper tools and paint supplies, along with the time to do the job. Painting a room can take anywhere from one to three days, depending on the size and difficulty.
How to Save Money While Painting Your House
Reduce the cost of your paint job in a few ways:
Do some of the prep work or painting yourself.
Rent or borrow painting equipment instead of buying.
Pick up your lift instead of having it delivered.
Prep your surface in advance and only rent the lift for the time you’ll be painting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Painting the exterior of your home is a moderate to advanced DIY project and requires certain tools, supplies, experience, and time. Due to the intricacies and time involved, exterior painting is usually best left to a pro, but can be tackled by an enthusiastic homeowner.
Renting scaffolding costs anywhere from $15 to $50 per day. The cost depends on where you live and whether you need the scaffolding delivered. While the rental cost is low, it’s important to consider the risks of using scaffolding. Unless you have experience with scaffolding, it’s best to call in the pros for your home project.
Yes, many scissor lifts are small enough to fit indoors, and some models are specifically categorized for indoor use. You’ll often see them labeled as “narrow” or “mini” scissor lifts. Pneumatic scissor lifts are a good option for tight spaces, as they’re smaller than most electric scissor lifts. However, plenty of indoor-accessible electric scissor lifts are available to rent or buy. If you’re unsure of the fit, measure your doorframe, entryway, and all other areas where the lift is needed beforehand.
