Many businesses use leasing and financing to acquire equipment and software, and for good reason; it makes solid business sense.
Here are 10 questions to ask that can help you avoid surprises and determine how your company can optimize the benefits of financing.
Determine how your company will use the equipment and the length of time it will be needed. This will help determine the appropriate level of investment for a lease. To help decide if leasing is a profitable financing option, perform a simple cost/benefit analysis that compares the periodic leasing payment to the revenue you expect to generate from using the equipment.
Generally speaking, it is beneficial to work with someone who understands your particular market, regardless of the service you are seeking. This is even more crucial with regard to leasing. The equipment finance company’s understanding of market fluctuations and other factors that impact your business can greatly affect the successful outcome and desirability of a lease contract.
For one, leases can vary and lease customization that takes into account individual company needs and requirements such as cash flow, budget, transaction structure, and cyclical fluctuations is a key reason that businesses lease. As an example, seasonal businesses would require lease terms with the flexibility to miss one or more payments without a penalty during their low season. It is also important for the equipment finance company to understand your business’s tax and cash flow requirements. For tax purposes lease payments are an allowable tax-deductible overhead expense from corporate income. This eliminates depreciating owned equipment over five to seven years, in accordance with IRS schedules. Residual rates—the value of the leased equipment at the end of the lease term—are another key reason to work with an equipment finance company knowledgeable about your market. When an equipment finance company has the knowledge to set the residual accurately, they can provide you with an appropriate lease payment schedule. The equipment financier may also provide assistance with lifecycle asset management.
Asking this question will eliminate any future misunderstandings about the number of payments, the total monthly payment due, and any additional costs related to insurance, taxes, and other charges. In addition, ask if there are additional costs associated with the lease that may occur during the course of the lease term, including late payment fees and other surcharges.
If you wish to terminate a lease earlier than originally contracted, it is important to remember to understand the terms of your agreement. A lease is a contract between two or more parties creating obligations for those parties, thus changes such as terms or length of time requested after signing and not set forth in the original agreement could result in additional payments or charges. On the other hand, a master lease, which controls later leases or subleases, is designed to facilitate changes in leasing needs, and is an option that many businesses may choose. This type of leasing contract permits the leasing of certain assets and also enables the acquisition of additional assets under the same basic terms and conditions without negotiating a new contract, thus providing maximum flexibility.
You should know your company’s liability for the equipment you are leasing before you sign a lease agreement. This question will help you to determine whether you must pay for or replace lost or damaged equipment.
Find out if your equipment finance company will assume the costs for the equipment’s insurance, taxes and maintenance. Be sure these conditions are clear and included in your lease agreement, and review these provisions with your equipment finance company representative. Also, determine if you prefer an option where the equipment finance company is required to handle installation, maintenance, asset management, tracking and other services or if these services are your obligation.
Unless you opt for a master lease, additional equipment acquisitions will most likely require new leasing contract negotiations. Businesses may well anticipate growth in the future and should consider negotiating an option to add equipment under original terms and conditions when structuring a lease program.
At the end of the lease, your options are to: (a) return the equipment, (b) purchase the equipment at fair market value or a nominal fixed price, or (c) renew the lease. Determining the option you will take and specifying it in the original lease agreement is important. If you choose to purchase at lease end, ask when you will receive the title.
Find out whether you must return the asset to the equipment finance company, and what documentation and packaging materials are required upon its return. You will want to know who will pay for shipping or delivery and when the equipment must arrive at the equipment finance company after your lease ends.
In any contractual agreement, it is usually best to avoid unforeseen fees and costs. In addition to the costs inherent at the outset and during the term of the lease, ask if there are any additional costs that could be incurred based on your account activity, such as late payments. Know when all payments, fees and costs are due. The more questions you ask, the more information you will have in order to make an informed decision about lease financing. Knowing the right questions to ask can assist you as you acquire equipment through leasing.