Where can I borrow a chainsaw?

[pstu24]

Aside from just asking friends or family (not too keen on the whole blasting my business on Facebook) ... I thought I had read before you could go to local co-ops or even Home Depot to rent equipment?

Long story short: I had a tree leaning over my house. It needed to come down. While the tree-pro was at my house he gave me a quote to bring down the others (he was already there, so why not). It opens up my backyard which previously had moss because of the tree cover. He gave me a quote to cut them, split them, haul them and cleanup the stumps as well. BUT, just to bring the trees down it was only about 25-30% of total cost, and I have a family member who promised he could bring his big-honkin saw with a 20" blade over and we could dice them up into sections in an afternoon. I am also prepared to split them on my own, so no big deal!

Here's the problem. The tree-pro brought down the trees in the last week of September. Beggars can't be choosers but said family member keeps coming up with excuses for not coming over (he has bailed on me the last 3 weekends). I asked if I could borrow his saw, but his response was "oh, I'll just come out and do it with you next weekend"

So my dilemma is, pardon the Game of Thrones reference but Winter IS Coming. I need to get the trees off of the yard before neighbors complain OR before critters move in and start building nests in the remaining brush as well.

I have also used a chainsaw before, just not a 20" one ... but I am experienced. That being said, one of the trees is ROUGHLY 30" in diameter, and 3 more are all about 24" in diameter. The others are only a foot to 18" or so (small).  So I need to find something large enough to do damage on the 30" ... but I also have half of a dozen trees that will literally be like a hot knife through butter with a sizeable saw.

Does anyone know where I could get a saw without flat out going to the store and spending $600 on one that I probably won't use again?

OR, are there any ideas on how I could do it in a different way? To cut them all up, the TreePro was going to charge I believe an extra $200? But I didn't pay attention because said family member was taking care of it ...

Thanks for your help!

[Fishindude]

Almost all equipment rental stores will rent chain saws.

[Frankies Girl]

Why not try calling relative the morning before the day you plan to get out there, and tell them "hey, I'm doing the trees tomorrow at 10am. Can you come tomorrow with your saw at that time?"

If he says anything other than yes, then say something like "Okay, I get you have plans already, but I really need this done tomorrow because of time/scheduling/winter and I've already set up the haul-away (do this or get it arranged so he understands there is no "next time.") So if it's okay with you, I would love to borrow your chainsaw if you aren't going to be using it tomorrow. I can swing by your house today after work to pick it up. I'll bring it back the next day cleaned and refilled."

Either you'll be told that he'll come help, or you get to borrow the saw. Or he'll tell you no to both, and you can go rent a saw and know not to count on them again. But it wouldn't hurt to try this anyway.

[Dave1442397]

Some places have tool libraries, like this one near me - https://sustainablecamdencounty.myturn.com/library/inventory/browse

[wawot1]

There's always the buy tool on Craigslist, use it for the one-time job, sell it on Craigslist for more-or-less the same price gig.   Probably more hassle than just renting the chainsaw at Home Depot or ACE or whatever, but might be cheaper.

[andy85]

Almost all equipment rental stores will rent chain saws.

this. i had a massive tree limb fall off that i had to cut up. rented one from home depot...I don't recall the price...$50-$75 i want to say.

[HawkeyeNFO]

I have an inexpensive electric one that works great, but might not be large enough for this specific job.  I would recommend getting one to any homeowner with a yard and trees or bushes.  That being said, many rental shops near you will rent out gas-powered chain saws.  Youtube can show you how to use it safely and effectively.