Ladder: Borrow or Buy?

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OUR VERDICT It Depends

A 6-foot step ladder is cheap and useful enough to own. An extension ladder is expensive, bulky, and used infrequently enough to borrow.

The Numbers

Buy Price $50-100 (step ladder), $150-400 (extension ladder)
Rental / Borrow Cost $25-40/day (extension)
Breakeven Frequency 1 use for a step ladder (it is cheap enough to just buy). 5-6 uses for an extension ladder.
Storage Requirement Step ladders fold flat. Extension ladders need a wall rack or garage ceiling mount. A 24-foot extension ladder is 13 feet when stored.

Why Borrow

  • Extension ladders over 16 feet are expensive ($200+) and used 1-2 times per year
  • Storing a tall extension ladder means wall-mounting or ceiling-racking
  • Your neighbor probably has one and uses it on the same gutter-cleaning weekend
  • Specialty ladders (multi-position, scaffolding) are almost never worth buying for occasional use

Why Buy

  • A 6-foot step ladder costs $50-70 and gets used monthly (light bulbs, painting, closet shelving)
  • A basic 8-foot step ladder handles most indoor tasks and is easy to store
  • If you clean your own gutters twice per year, an extension ladder pays for itself quickly
  • Safety matters: a ladder that fits the task prevents improvising (chairs, buckets, stacked objects)

Check Before You Buy

Someone in your neighborhood probably owns a ladder and uses it a few times a year. Borrowing saves money, saves garage space, and keeps tools in use instead of collecting dust.

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Common Questions

What size ladder do I need?

For indoor work: your height + 4 feet = maximum safe reach on a step ladder. A 5'10" person reaches 10 feet on a 6-foot step ladder. For exterior work: measure from the ground to the working height, add 3 feet (the top 3 feet of an extension ladder are not safe to stand on).

Fiberglass or aluminum?

Fiberglass is heavier but does not conduct electricity. Required for any work near power lines or electrical panels. Aluminum is lighter and cheaper. For general household use where you are not near electrical, aluminum saves money and your back.

Prices and rental costs were checked at major retailers and rental shops in May 2026. Our verdict is based on how often the typical homeowner uses this tool, not on commission rates. How we earn money.