All guides

Learn how commercial equipment lease payments are built, what total cost includes, and how to estimate your own monthly payment with worked examples.

Compare fair market value leases, $1 buyout leases and 10 percent purchase options on payments, ownership, taxes and end-of-term risk, with a worked example.

Practical tactics for lowering equipment lease cost, from comparing apples-to-apples quotes to negotiating fees, residuals, end-of-term terms and vendor pricing.

A practical framework for comparing equipment leases, equipment loans and cash purchases, with a worked three-way cost comparison and decision criteria.

How Section 179 expensing and bonus depreciation can apply to financed and leased business equipment, which leases qualify, and what to confirm with your CPA.

Credit, time in business, equipment type, term, down payment and residual value all move your lease rate. See how each factor works and what you can control.

Compare the main types of equipment lessors, learn what to ask before applying, and use a due diligence checklist to choose a lessor you can trust.

Follow the full process of leasing commercial equipment, from choosing the machine and getting quotes to credit review, documents, delivery and acceptance.

Which documents and qualifications lessors typically require for small, mid-size and large equipment leases, plus tips for startups and used equipment.

See realistic timeframes for each stage of an equipment lease, from quote to funding, what slows things down, and how to speed up your approval.

A clause-by-clause guide to commercial equipment lease agreements, covering hell-or-high-water, default, UCC, guarantees, renewal, insurance and return terms.

Understand your end-of-term options on a commercial equipment lease, notice deadlines, return conditions, fair market value purchases and how to avoid surprise charges.

Clear answers on credit scores, taxes, insurance, early termination, used equipment, startups, sales tax, subleasing and other frequent commercial equipment leasing questions.

Learn the warning signs of equipment leasing scams and predatory terms, including upfront fees, pressure tactics and bad contract clauses, and what to do about them.

The most expensive mistakes businesses make when leasing equipment, from focusing on monthly payment to missing renewal notices, with practical fixes for each.

A balanced look at the advantages and drawbacks of commercial equipment leasing, with scenarios where leasing wins, where buying wins, and a quick test to decide.