RENTING VS. PURCHASING EMPLOYEE UNIFORMS
What's right for your business?
Work uniforms do more than create a cohesive look - they protect employees, build trust with customers, and reinforce your brand identity. But when it comes to sourcing uniforms, one key question always arises: should you rent or buy?
Both options have merit, and the right choice depends on your goals, budget, and operational setup. Purchasing uniforms can be ideal for small businesses with strong employee retention, while renting is usually the best option for large industrial settings with dirty work environments. Still, it's important to understand what each option entails so you can make the best decision for your team. Let’s take a deeper dive.
The Real Cost of Uniforms: More Than Just the Price Tag
Buying: High Upfront Investment: When purchasing uniforms, you pay for everything upfront - garments, embroidery, sizing, and any extras. While this might seem like a cost-effective option at first, hidden expenses quickly pile up. Damaged uniforms, replacements due to employee turnover, and laundering costs all fall back on you.
Renting: Predictable, All-Inclusive Costs: Uniform rental services typically charge a small weekly fee per wearer. That fee covers everything from laundering to repairs, replacements, and even updates in sizing or branding. This creates a predictable budget that helps you avoid surprise expenses while keeping your employees looking sharp.
Flexibility with Workforce Changes
Buying: Risky with High Turnover: Let’s say you buy a full set of uniforms for a new employee - and they quit a month later. You’re left with a custom-branded uniform that may never be used again. Multiply that across multiple hires, and the losses add up quickly.
Renting: Easy Scaling Up or Down: With uniform rental, you can add or remove wearers anytime. Adjustments are simple and immediate, perfect for growing teams or businesses with frequent staffing changes. There’s no need to stockpile extra garments or worry about wasting resources.
Hygiene & Industry Compliance
In regulated industries, like food production, healthcare, or manufacturing, uniform cleanliness isn’t just about appearances. It’s about meeting safety standards and protecting your employees and customers.
Buying: Complex Compliance Responsibilities: If you own your uniforms, you're responsible for washing them to meet regulatory standards like HACCP, OSHA, or ANSI. Home washers can't sanitize those garments properly, and improper care can reduce the effectiveness of flame-resistant or high-visibility features.
Renting: Professional Sanitation and Compliance: Rental providers like Lechner use industrial-grade washers and processes that meet or exceed safety regulations. Flame-resistant (FR) and enhanced visibility garments are cleaned in a way that maintains their protective properties, keeping your team safe and compliant.
Brand Consistency and Employee Presentation
Your team is a direct reflection of your business. Uniforms should be clean, consistent, and professionally branded to leave the right impression.
Buying: Inconsistent Look and Wear: When employees are responsible for maintaining their own uniforms, results vary. Some may show up in freshly washed garments, while others wear faded, stained, or torn clothing. Over time, this inconsistency can damage your brand image.
Renting: Consistent, Professional Appearance: Rental services ensure every uniform is cleaned, pressed, repaired, and branded to represent your company with pride. From company logos to employee names, every detail is maintained to high standards. If your brand evolves, your provider can seamlessly update uniforms to match.
What’s Right for You?
Buy if:
- You run a small business with minimal staff
- Your team has long-term retention
- Uniforms are rarely exposed to dirt or damage (ex: office jobs)
- You have in-house laundry and repair capabilities
Rent if:
- You experience frequent staff changes or seasonal hiring
- Your industry involves dirty or hazardous work
- You need consistent branding, presentation, and hygiene
- You must meet strict safety or laundering regulations
Why Businesses Choose Lechner for Uniform Rental Services
Renting uniforms from Lechner Services means you get more than just clothing - you get a complete, hassle-free program designed to save time and elevate your brand. Here’s what you can expect:
- No large upfront investment
- Weekly laundering, repairs, and replacements included
- Fast and easy updates for staffing changes
- Consistent, professional presentation every shift
- Safety compliance and industrial-grade hygiene standards
- Less stress and more productivity for your team
While buying uniforms might work for small, stable teams, renting uniforms offers unmatched flexibility, cost control, and professional care - especially for fast-paced, regulated, or labor-intensive industries.
Let your team focus on their work. Let us handle the uniforms.
Ready to simplify your uniform program?
Contact Lechner Services today to learn more about our customizable uniform rental solutions designed to meet the needs of your business.