Choosing a rental equipment vendor isn’t always the first thing on your mind when a commercial project kicks off, but it quickly becomes important once schedules tighten and crews are waiting to get started.

The right partner should make each job feel more manageable, and they can have a surprising impact on a project’s success. Meanwhile, the wrong one can quietly slow everything down. For contractors working across Chicagoland and throughout the Midwest, the decision goes well beyond who has a machine available today.

Local experience still matters, even during expansions.

As vendors grow into new markets, regional knowledge remains essential for a lot of builders. For example, a familiarity with Midwest construction patterns—from Chicago up through Milwaukee and Madison—brings practical insights into your scheduling realities and seasonal demand. Vendors that already service projects across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio tend to navigate those nuances more smoothly than someone who’s never planned around snow load limits or frozen ground.

Someone with third party contacts who picks up the phone.

Any rental company can tell you what’s sitting in its yard. When you need something specific, hard to find, or stuck in a long lead time, you want that vendor with established third-party connections. A company like 365 Equipment & Supply can tap a broad network of suppliers and manufacturers to track down your items and coordinate it all for you. That kind of sourcing can save a lot of time when you’re up against a schedule.

This quality is especially important when renting commonly requested assets like aerial lifts, forklifts, scissor lifts and other high-demand construction equipment that get tied up quickly during peak seasons.

A customer-focused approach.

One advantage that gets overlooked in today’s world is having someone you can reach who actually knows what’s going on and gives you straight answers from day one. No voicemail loops, just a quick update and a plan. When your vendor not only finds what you need quickly but gives helpful updates, it removes a lot of jobsite stress. That’s the difference between a supplier and a partner.

A wider product mix saves you time.

Calling multiple suppliers for equipment and materials adds up fast. Vendors that provide both rental equipment and building materials simplify that process. Being able to source items like material handling equipment as well as essential building products through one partner reduces coordination issues and keeps teams focused on the work instead of logistics.

A major plus to look out for: a supplier with access to those less-common construction and jobsite items for specialty needs or projects.

Strong service that reacts quickly to changes.

Behind dependable service is thoughtful planning. Vendors who invest in fleet analytics and utilization tracking are better positioned to maintain equipment and respond to changing demand. For contractors, that often translates to cleaner, more reliable machines and quicker turnaround times when additional rentals are needed mid-project.

A consultative partnership pays off in the long run.

Some of the most helpful vendors act more like problem-solvers than order-takers. If yours understands your schedule and the realities of local supply, they can get ahead of problems before they start showing up on your site. This procurement-style mindset is particularly useful for general contractors and subcontractors managing multiple sites and balancing equipment needs across different crews.

Call 365 Equipment & Supply in Illinois for All Your Needs

At the end of the day, you should feel confident that your rental equipment vendor will make your project their central priority. For equipment, materials, or specialty products on time and without the runaround, work with 365 Equipment & Supply.

Call (847) 756-3807 to discuss this year’s building and construction needs with one of our team members.