Should I Buy New or Refurbished Cleaning Equipment for My Facility?
When it is time to replace a floor scrubber, carpet extractor, sweeper, vacuum, or other piece of commercial cleaning equipment, one of the first questions is often: Should I buy new or refurbished cleaning equipment?
The answer depends on your facility, budget, cleaning requirements, and how heavily the machine will be used.
New commercial cleaning equipment gives you the latest technology, a full manufacturer warranty, and a machine with no previous operating history. However, professionally refurbished cleaning equipment can provide tremendous value, especially when you can purchase a higher-quality commercial machine for significantly less than the cost of buying it new.
For many facilities, there isn’t one right answer for every machine. Instead, understanding the advantages of both options can help you determine where your equipment budget will have the greatest impact.
What Is Refurbished Commercial Cleaning Equipment?
Before comparing new and refurbished cleaning equipment, it is important to understand what refurbished actually means.
A refurbished floor scrubber should be more than a used machine that has been cleaned and put back up for sale.
A proper refurbishment process involves inspecting the machine, testing its major systems, repairing problems, and replacing worn components as needed. Depending on the machine, this could include items such as batteries, brushes, squeegee blades, vacuum motors, hoses, casters, seals, gaskets, switches, wheels, or other components.
The machine should then be tested to make sure it performs correctly before it is offered for sale.
That distinction matters.
When comparing commercial cleaning equipment, don’t simply ask whether a machine is “used.” Ask what was actually done to refurbish it.
Why Buy New Commercial Cleaning Equipment?
There are several situations where buying new cleaning equipment makes excellent sense.
First, you are getting a machine with no previous operating history. That can be especially important when the equipment will be used for several hours every day.
Additionally, new machines often include the latest cleaning technologies and design improvements.
Newer automatic floor scrubbers, for example, may offer improved battery technology, better water management, quieter operation, advanced chemical dispensing, improved ergonomics, or more efficient cleaning systems.
For facilities that plan to keep equipment for many years, those improvements can be valuable.
New Equipment Gives You the Latest Technology
Commercial cleaning equipment continues to improve.
Today’s floor scrubbers can offer features that were uncommon on machines manufactured several years ago. Depending on the manufacturer and model, these can include advanced water-saving systems, lithium-ion batteries, onboard chargers, improved controls, enhanced productivity features, and better operator ergonomics.
Therefore, if your facility wants a particular feature or technology, purchasing new equipment may provide more choices.
You also have greater flexibility when selecting the exact machine configuration.
Rather than purchasing whatever happens to be available in the refurbished market, you can choose the cleaning width, battery configuration, brush system, accessories, and other options that best match your facility.
Manufacturer Warranty Is Another Advantage
Warranty coverage is another important reason facilities choose new commercial cleaning equipment.
A new machine generally comes with manufacturer warranty protection based on the manufacturer’s terms and conditions.
For some organizations, that additional protection makes budgeting easier. This can be particularly valuable for equipment that will see heavy daily use.
However, warranty coverage should not be the only consideration. A quality refurbished machine may also include warranty protection from the dealer.
Therefore, always ask exactly what warranty is included before comparing prices.
Why Consider Refurbished Cleaning Equipment?
The biggest advantage of refurbished commercial cleaning equipment is usually value.
A facility may be able to purchase a refurbished commercial-grade machine for considerably less than a comparable new model.
That can open up possibilities that would otherwise be outside the equipment budget.
For example, your budget might only allow for a smaller entry-level scrubber if you purchase new. However, the same budget could potentially purchase a larger or more capable refurbished machine.
As a result, refurbished equipment can allow facilities to buy based on what they actually need rather than simply what they can afford new.
Refurbished Equipment Can Stretch Your Budget Further
Suppose you need to equip several buildings.
Purchasing a brand-new floor scrubber for every location can quickly consume your entire equipment budget.
Refurbished machines may allow you to replace several aging pieces of equipment rather than spending the same amount on one or two new machines.
That can be especially attractive for:
- Schools and universities
- Churches
- Janitorial contractors
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing facilities
- Healthcare facilities
- Retail stores
- Property management companies
- Municipal facilities
Additionally, a refurbished machine can make sense as a backup unit.
If your primary floor scrubber goes down, having another commercial machine available can keep your cleaning operation moving while repairs are completed.
Commercial-Grade Refurbished Equipment Can Be an Excellent Value
There is another important consideration when comparing a cheaper new machine with a refurbished commercial machine: original build quality.
A well-built commercial floor scrubber was designed for professional use.
Even after several years, a properly refurbished machine from a major manufacturer may still provide years of dependable service.
For that reason, comparing machines solely by age can be misleading.
A newer machine is not automatically the better machine.
Instead, look at the manufacturer’s reputation, original equipment quality, operating hours, maintenance history when available, current condition, parts availability, and refurbishment process.
Operating Hours Matter, But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
When shopping for a refurbished floor scrubber, buyers often focus heavily on the hour meter.
Operating hours are important, but they are only one part of the machine’s condition.
A low-hour machine that was neglected can have more problems than a higher-hour machine that received regular maintenance.
Likewise, major components may already have been replaced during refurbishment.
Therefore, consider the entire machine rather than relying on one number.
Ask about the batteries. Check the brushes or pads. Inspect the squeegee system. Find out what components were replaced. Most importantly, make sure the machine has been tested under actual operating conditions.
What Should Be Replaced on a Refurbished Floor Scrubber?
There isn’t a universal list because every machine arrives in different condition.
However, a thorough inspection should identify components that are worn, damaged, leaking, or no longer performing properly.
Common replacement items can include:
- Batteries
- Brushes or pad drivers
- Squeegee blades
- Vacuum hoses
- Drain hoses
- Vacuum motors
- Casters
- Wheels
- Seals and gaskets
- Filters
- Switches
- Solenoids
- Skirts
- Bearings
- Other worn electrical or mechanical components
A reputable equipment dealer should be able to tell you what was replaced on a particular refurbished machine.
That information can be much more useful than simply seeing the word “refurbished” on a listing.
When Should I Buy New Cleaning Equipment?
New equipment may be the better choice when your machine will be heavily used every day or when you require a specific configuration that is difficult to find refurbished.
It can also make sense when:
- You want the latest cleaning technology
- Manufacturer warranty coverage is a priority
- You need several identical machines
- You have strict equipment standardization requirements
- You want a specific battery or charging configuration
- The equipment will be operated for long shifts
- You expect to keep the machine for many years
For larger organizations, standardization can be particularly important.
Having the same machines across multiple locations can simplify employee training, preventive maintenance, parts inventory, and repairs.
When Does Refurbished Cleaning Equipment Make More Sense?
Refurbished equipment can be a great option when budget is important but you still want commercial-grade performance.
It may also make sense when:
- You want more machine for your available budget
- The equipment will see moderate rather than continuous use
- You need a backup machine
- You are replacing several machines at once
- You need equipment quickly
- You prefer a proven commercial model
- A well-refurbished machine is available with warranty coverage
For a church that scrubs its floors a few times per week, for example, purchasing a brand-new machine may not always provide enough additional benefit to justify the extra cost.
Meanwhile, a large distribution facility running a scrubber for hours every day may benefit more from investing in new equipment.
The application should drive the decision.
Don’t Forget About Parts and Service Support
Whether you purchase new or refurbished cleaning equipment, the machine will eventually need maintenance.
Batteries wear out. Squeegee blades need replacement. Brushes wear down. Vacuum motors eventually fail. Hoses crack. Chargers can stop working.
Therefore, consider who is going to support the machine after the sale.
Buying equipment from a dealer that can provide parts, technical assistance, and repair service can make a major difference over the life of the machine.
A bargain isn’t much of a bargain if you can’t get the machine repaired when something goes wrong.
Consider the Total Cost of Ownership
Purchase price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor.
Instead, look at the total cost of ownership.
That includes:
- Initial purchase price
- Expected maintenance
- Batteries and consumables
- Parts availability
- Equipment downtime
- Productivity
- Labor requirements
- Expected service life
- Warranty coverage
Sometimes the lowest-priced machine costs more over time because it is less productive or requires frequent repairs.
On the other hand, purchasing the most expensive new machine isn’t automatically the best financial decision either.
The goal is to find the machine that provides the best combination of performance, reliability, serviceability, and cost for your particular facility.
New vs. Refurbished Cleaning Equipment: Which Is Better?
Neither option is automatically better.
For some facilities, a new automatic floor scrubber is clearly the right investment. For others, a professionally refurbished Tennant, Nobles, Advance, IPC, Minuteman, Tornado, or other commercial machine can provide exactly the performance they need at a lower upfront cost.
In fact, many organizations can benefit from using a combination of both.
You might purchase a new primary scrubber for your highest-traffic building while using refurbished equipment at smaller locations or as backup machines.
Ultimately, the best decision comes from matching the equipment to the application rather than simply choosing “new” or “refurbished.”
Try the Machine Before You Buy
One of the best ways to choose commercial cleaning equipment is to see it operate in your facility.
Floor type, square footage, doorway width, storage space, operator experience, cleaning frequency, and soil conditions can all influence which machine works best.
A machine that looks perfect on a specification sheet may not be the best fit once you put it on the floor.
At ChemSource Direct, we carry both new and refurbished commercial cleaning equipment, which means we can help you compare both options instead of pushing you toward only one.
Whether you need an automatic floor scrubber, carpet extractor, sweeper, wet/dry vacuum, burnisher, orbital machine, or other commercial cleaning equipment, we can help you determine which option makes the most sense for your facility and your budget.
Contact ChemSource Direct to schedule a demonstration or talk with our equipment team about new and refurbished cleaning equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is refurbished commercial cleaning equipment reliable?
Yes, it can be. The quality depends heavily on the condition of the original machine and the refurbishment process. Look for equipment that has been inspected, repaired, tested, and had worn components replaced as needed.
Is refurbished cleaning equipment the same as used equipment?
Not necessarily. Used equipment may be sold largely in its existing condition. Refurbished equipment should go through an inspection and repair process before being offered for sale. Always ask the dealer exactly what was done to the machine.
How many hours is too many on a refurbished floor scrubber?
There isn’t one hour limit that applies to every machine. Operating hours should be considered along with maintenance history, overall condition, battery condition, replaced components, machine design, and how the equipment was previously used.
Does refurbished cleaning equipment come with a warranty?
Some refurbished equipment does. Warranty coverage varies by seller and machine, so ask what is covered and for how long before purchasing.
Is it better to buy a new or refurbished floor scrubber?
It depends on your application. New equipment can be a better choice for intensive daily use, specific configurations, and facilities that want the latest technology. Refurbished equipment can offer excellent value for facilities that want commercial-grade performance while reducing the initial investment.
What should I look for when buying a refurbished floor scrubber?
Look at the machine’s overall condition, operating hours, batteries, brushes, squeegee system, vacuum system, hoses, drive system, and controls. Additionally, ask what parts were replaced, whether the machine was fully tested, what warranty is included, and whether parts and service are available after the sale.