The sticker price is only half the story. This guide breaks down the true cost of each option – including what’s included, what’s not, and which model works best for different types of business.
Most Irish businesses settle on one of three models. Each has a different impact on cash flow, maintenance responsibility and flexibility. Understanding the difference before you sign anything will save you from a decision you regret mid-contract.
You pay a monthly fee and the machine, along with full maintenance and service cover, is included. The machine never belongs to you – when the contract ends, it goes back
Best for: Businesses wanting zero capital outlay and zero maintenance hassle
Similar to a hire purchase. You spread the cost of the machine over 3–5 years and have the option to buy the machine at the end of the term for a nominal sum. Maintenance may or may not be included. Vero can provide maintenance solutions
Best for: Businesses that want to own the asset and can manage their own servicing
You buy the machine outright. It’s yours immediately, with no ongoing payments. You choose your own coffee supplier and are responsible for all maintenance.
Best for: Businesses with capital to invest and an existing service arrangement
| Factor | Rental | Finance Lease | Outright Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None | Low deposit | Full machine price |
| Monthly cost | Fixed fee | Fixed payments | None (after purchase) |
| Own the machine? | No | Yes, at end of term | Yes, immediately |
| Maintenance included? | Yes | Usually not/Depending on package | No |
| Breakdown cover | Included | Varies/Option chosen | Your cost |
| Upgrade flexibility | At contract end | After term | Sell and rebuy |
| Coffee bean sourcing | Supplier beans | More flexible | Full freedom |
| Tax treatment | Operating expense | Capital allowance | Capital allowance |
| Balance sheet impact | Off balance sheet | On balance sheet | On balance sheet |
| Contract term | Typically 2-4 years | Typically 3–5 years | No term |
Cost per cup is the most useful number for comparing options – it accounts for everything: machine cost, coffee beans, milk, cleaning products, water filters and servicing, divided by the number of drinks produced.
For rental agreements, yes – Vero rental contracts require you to purchase coffee beans from us. This is standard across the industry: the rental model is designed so the machine cost is subsidised through the ongoing coffee supply relationship.
The upside is that you get direct access to the full Lavazza, Caffé Molinari and full technical support from our manufacturer trained Engineers, with automatic restocking available. We don’t lock you into one product – you choose the roast, blend and format that suits your team.
If full freedom on bean sourcing is important to you, a finance lease or outright purchase is the better model.
Over a long period, buying outright is usually cheaper in pure machine cost – but it doesn’t account for maintenance, repairs and the opportunity cost of the upfront capital. When you factor in full service cover, most businesses find that renting over a 3-year term costs a similar amount to buying and maintaining, with the significant advantage of no capital outlay and no surprise repair bills. For most Irish SMEs and offices, rental is the more practical and cost-effective choice.
A rental is a service contract – you pay monthly, maintenance is included, and the machine is returned at the end. A finance lease is closer to a hire-purchase: you spread the cost of buying the machine over several years, and at the end of the term you typically have the option to purchase it for a nominal amount. Rentals are off-balance-sheet operating expenses; finance leases go on the balance sheet as a capital asset.
Finance lease payments are a fully deductible business expense in Ireland, reducing your taxable profit. An outright purchase qualifies for capital allowances (written down over 8 years under standard Irish tax rules, or accelerated under energy-efficient equipment schemes). Rental payments are also fully deductible as an operating expense. Speak to your accountant about which treatment is most advantageous for your business in the current year.
In most rental agreements, yes – upgrading to a larger or newer machine mid-contract is possible, usually by extending the contract term or adjusting the monthly fee. At Vero, we review machine fit as part of our ongoing service relationship. If your team grows and the machine is struggling to keep up, we’ll raise it with you. Contact our team to discuss upgrade options.
Yes. We offer on-site demonstrations and, in many cases, short trial arrangements so you can assess coffee quality and machine fit before signing. Contact our team to arrange a demo at your premises.