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Compare Uniform Rental Program Costs: A StraightUp!™ Guide
Use this guide to compare the costs, service differences and contract terms before choosing a provider.
One of the first questions you want to know when considering a uniform rental program is “How much does it cost?”
The answer is…it depends. Remember when cell phone plans advertised one low monthly price, only to tack on activation fees, taxes, overage charges, and other surprises?
Uniform rental pricing can work the same way. Once you factor in garment type, service fees, loss fees, new wearer fees, emblem fees, and damages (to name a few), the initial wearer price can look a lot different than it did at the start. Furthermore, price and fees can go up over the life of the contract, depending on the terms.
What Determines the Cost of a Uniform Rental Program?
Uniform rental pricing can be complex. Garment type, number of garments in inventory (typically 11 – 5 in locker, 5 being laundered, 1 being worn), service frequency, and number of wearers determine your base wearer rate. Then there’s all the services – new wearer set up, garment repairs, garment upgrades, lockers, and more. These services can be included in the per wearer cost, or be charged as you incur them. Service fees can make up more then 50% of your total program cost.
If you are only comparing one number, for example, the “weekly rental rate”, then you are missing the full picture.
Over the years, we heard repeated frustrations from companies that had worked with other uniform providers. Pricing was difficult to understand, invoices were hard to follow, and unexpected fees were making the program far more expensive than they expected. They wanted a program with clear, predictable pricing.
StraightUp! Billing Keeps it Simple
Rather than chasing the industry’s lowest advertised garment rate, we chose a different approach: include the services you need in the weekly rate so you have a clear picture of what your program will actually cost. The result is a uniform rental program that’s easier to understand, easier to budget, and easier to manage.
With StraightUp!™, you’ll find:
- Simple invoices with no unexpected line items
- Predictable costs that are easy to budget for
- Repairs, sizing, garment prep and more included in the cost of the program
- Free garment upgrades after three years of use
- Damage fees prorated, so the older the garment, the lower the cost
- Transparent pricing backed by Genuine Service Excellence
If you are simply comparing unit rates, you’ll find our unit rate can be higher than national laundry service programs. However, we caution you to understand all the service fees, price increases, and terms of the contract before you determine which program is the best fit.
In many cases, our program offers a lower overall cost over the life of the contract, and it comes with transparent pricing that is never hidden in the fine print.
Compare Uniform Rental Programs
A low garment rate does not always mean a lower total program cost.
Compare what is included before choosing a uniform rental provider.
| Program Feature | ITU AbsorbTech StraightUp!™ | National Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent weekly pricing | ✓ Designed to reduce surprise charges |
✕ Review proposal and invoice |
| Pant hemming | ✓ Included |
✕ May be additional |
| Garment preparation | ✓ Included |
✕ May be additional |
| Name and company emblem plus application* | ✓ Included |
✕ May be additional |
| Oversized garments | ✓ Included |
✕ May be additional |
| Normal wear-and-tear repairs | ✓ Included |
✓ Generally included |
| Zipper repairs* | ✓ Included |
✕ Review program |
| Standard locker service | ✓ Included |
✕ Review program |
| Laundry bag | ✓ Included |
✕ Review program |
| Hanger stand | ✓ Included |
✕ Review program |
| Garment restocking | ✓ Included |
✕ Review program |
| Uniform upgrades | ✓ Free after three years |
✕ Varies by provider |
| Damage charges | ✓ Prorated based on garment life |
✕ May be based on full replacement cost; review agreement |
| Loss charges | ✓ Clearly defined |
✕ Review agreement |
| Replacement garments | ✓ Replacement fee applies when needed |
✕ Review agreement |
| Dedicated customer support | ✓ Customer Response Center at our headquarters in New Berlin, WI |
✕ Varies by provider and location |
| Ownership | ✓ Family-owned |
✕ Large national corporation |
*Xpress name and company logo included. Upgraded emblems styles are extra. Zipper repair incluced, replacement is $15.
Program features, charges and contract terms vary by provider and customer. Review each written proposal and service agreement to confirm what is included.
The Right Partner Matters
Choosing a Uniform Rental Program service provider is generally a 3-5 year committment – sometimes longer! Since you are locked in to these terms for quite awhile, it’s important to asses the provider as well. They should give you confidence that your invoices are accurate, your costs are predictable, and there won’t be surprises along the way. And the contract should not feel like signing a mortgage.
Every provider promises good service, but what sets the best ones apart is thier committment to being a trusted partner. Communication, trust, responsiveness, problem resolution, and partnership must be non-negotiables.
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