CDN Foam Rigs
Frequently Asked Questions

Rig pricing, financing, service, and rentals — answered

Straight answers for Canadian spray foam contractors evaluating a rig purchase, financing structure, service plan, or short-term rental. Can't find what you need? Call 844-967-5247 or email josh@contractorschoiceagency.com.

Cost & Pricing

Fully-equipped new rigs typically run $150,000-$250,000+ CAD depending on trailer vs. truck-mounted configuration, proportioner brand, and options like dual-gun setups or custom electrical. Entry-level electric packages start around $145,000 CAD for contractors who don't need a full diesel hydraulic build. Price swings mainly come from generator size, hose length and heating capacity, and whether you're buying a stock build or a custom trailer. Call 844-967-5247 or email josh@contractorschoiceagency.com and we'll walk you through configurations that fit your crew size and budget before you commit to a spec sheet.

A fully-equipped rig includes the proportioner (Graco Reactor 2, PMC, or Gusmer), an appropriately sized generator, a heated hose bundle, transfer pumps, spray gun, air dryer, and an insulated trailer or truck-mount shell built to run in Canadian conditions. Entry-level electric packages trim some of this down - smaller generator, shorter hose runs, single-gun setup - to hit that roughly $145,000 CAD price point while still being job-ready. The gap between entry-level and fully-equipped is mostly generator capacity, hose length, and redundancy like spare pumps, rather than a difference in proportioner quality. We can break down exactly what's standard vs. optional on any build before you sign.

Used and refurbished rigs start from around $60,000 CAD, with the final number depending on hours on the proportioner, generator condition, and how recently the hose bundle and pumps were replaced. A properly reconditioned rig should come with a documented mechanical inspection and service history, not just a wipe-down and fresh paint. Brand mix in the used market tends to reflect what's been sold new over the past 5-10 years, so expect a similar spread of Graco, PMC, and Gusmer units. Ask for maintenance records before buying privately - a dealer-sourced used rig gives you that paper trail built in.

The $150,000-$250,000+ CAD range on new rigs reflects real differences in proportioner tier, generator size, hose heating capacity, and trailer or truck-mount fabrication quality - not just markup. A basic electric package with a smaller generator and shorter hose run costs less than a heavy-duty diesel hydraulic rig built for large commercial jobs and long crew days. Custom electrical work, insulated trailer walls for climate control, and multi-gun or dual-proportioner setups all add cost on top of the base build. When comparing quotes, ask for a line-by-line spec so you're comparing equivalent builds, not just a bottom-line number.

Yes, everything is quoted in CAD. Because proportioners like Graco, PMC, and Gusmer units are US-manufactured, exchange rate movement can shift landed cost on new equipment and parts over time, and that gets reflected in current pricing rather than a quote you saw months ago. This is worth asking about directly when you're timing a purchase, since a rig priced today may come in differently in a few months if the dollar moves. For exact current numbers on a specific build, contact us directly rather than relying on an old price sheet.

Financing & Leasing

Some $0-down financing programs are available, though qualification depends on your credit profile, time in business, and the lender's read on the overall deal. $0-down typically means a slightly higher rate or shorter amortization than a structure with a standard down payment, so it's worth comparing both side by side. New rig financing runs up to 60 months at around 5.99%, and used rig financing runs up to 36 months at around 4.95% - a $0-down structure gets layered onto whichever of those you qualify for. Call 844-967-5247 to get pre-qualified and see actual numbers for your situation before you shop.

A term equipment loan means you own the rig from day one and make fixed payments against a fixed principal, with the equipment itself as collateral. Lease-to-own structures instead have you paying toward an end-of-term buyout, which can lower monthly payments but usually costs more in total over the life of the agreement. Term loans suit contractors planning to keep the rig long-term and build equity in it, while lease-to-own can make sense if you want lower payments now or expect to upgrade equipment again in a few years. We can model both structures against the same rig so you can compare real monthly numbers and total cost.

New rigs typically finance up to 60 months at around 5.99%, reflecting the longer useful life and stronger resale of new equipment. Used and refurbished rigs typically finance up to 36 months at around 4.95% - a shorter term because lenders price against the remaining service life of already-used components like the proportioner and generator. Actual rates and terms depend on your credit, time in business, and the specific rig, so treat these as starting points rather than guaranteed numbers. Get pre-qualified before committing to a specific unit so financing doesn't become the bottleneck on a deal you want to move on quickly.

Startups can get approved, but lenders will look harder at credit history, a business plan, and any relevant industry experience since there's no operating history to lean on. Established contractors get evaluated primarily on time in business and existing revenue, while startups may need a larger down payment, a co-signer, or a clearer plan showing projected job volume and cash flow. $0-down programs are generally harder to qualify for as a brand-new operation, but term financing with a modest down payment is realistic for most startups with decent personal credit. Talk to us before assuming you're not qualified - we can tell you quickly what a lender is likely to want to see.

Yes, contractors regularly finance a second or third rig while an existing loan is still active, provided your payment history is clean and your revenue supports the added debt service. Lenders will look at your current rig's loan balance and payment record alongside your business's cash flow to size what a second-rig payment can realistically look like. This is a common move for contractors adding a crew or picking up rental/backup capacity, and it's worth discussing early since it can affect term and rate on the new unit. We can run the numbers on a second-rig scenario before you commit to expanding your fleet.

New vs. Used

A properly inspected, dealer-sourced used rig can be a completely reliable choice - the proportioner brands used across the industry, Graco, PMC, and Gusmer, are built for a long service life well beyond their first owner. The real risk isn't "used" as a category, it's buying a rig with undocumented history, deferred maintenance, or a proportioner nearing rebuild age without knowing it. New makes more sense if you need warranty coverage, want the latest generator or hose technology, or can't tolerate any downtime risk in your first year. For most established contractors adding a second unit, a well-vetted used rig starting around $60,000 CAD is a legitimate way to add capacity without new-rig pricing.

A proper inspection should cover the proportioner's pump ratio accuracy and hour count, generator run-hours and output test, hose bundle condition and heating function, transfer pumps, and the trailer or truck-mount structure itself for rust, wiring, and insulation integrity. You want documented service history, not just a verbal assurance the rig "runs great." A reconditioned rig sold through a dealer should already include this mechanical inspection checklist as part of the sale, while a private-party purchase puts the burden on you to verify all of it yourself or bring in a technician. Ask specifically what's been replaced versus just inspected - those are very different levels of reconditioning.

Service life varies by brand, duty cycle, and maintenance discipline, but a Graco, PMC, or Gusmer proportioner that's serviced on schedule and not run past its rated output will typically deliver years of reliable service before a full pump/ratio rebuild is needed. Off-ratio spraying, inconsistent output, and rising leak or seal issues are the usual early signs a rebuild is approaching rather than a sudden failure. Contractors who track run-hours and stick to scheduled maintenance intervals generally get significantly more life out of a unit than those who run it until something breaks. If you're evaluating a used rig, ask for hour totals and last-rebuild date specifically - that's more useful than the calendar year it was built.

Yes, trade-in programs are a normal part of upgrading - your current rig's condition, hours, and documented maintenance history determine the trade value applied against a new or newer used unit. This is often the most cost-effective way to move up in capability without financing the full price of the next rig from scratch. It also gives you a defined path to upgrade equipment every few years without carrying two rigs' worth of debt in the meantime. Bring your rig's service records when you're ready to talk trade-in so we can give you a realistic number, not just a ballpark.

Resale value holds up best for rigs with documented maintenance history, reasonable hours, and a recognized brand - Graco, PMC, or Gusmer - rather than an obscure or discontinued proportioner. Rigs kept on a consistent service schedule and never run into deferred-maintenance territory command noticeably better resale than neglected units of the same age. Generator condition and hose bundle condition matter almost as much as the proportioner itself, since buyers price in what they'll need to replace immediately. If resale value matters to your decision now, it's worth factoring that into whether you buy new, buy used, or lease-to-own in the first place - happy to walk through that trade-off directly.

Service/Repair & Maintenance

Scheduled maintenance intervals depend on duty cycle, but as a baseline, pumps and hoses should be checked ahead of peak season and again as the season winds down, with more frequent checks for high-volume crews running the rig daily. Heated hose bundles in particular need regular inspection since a failing heat element or worn section directly causes off-ratio spraying and lost job time. Contractors running near-daily jobs should be on a tighter interval than those running the rig a few times a month. We can set up a maintenance schedule matched to your actual job volume rather than a generic calendar interval.

Off-ratio spraying is most often caused by pump wear, a clogged or damaged filter, hose temperature inconsistency, or ratio-control calibration drift on the proportioner. Many cases are a quick field fix - a filter swap, pump seal replacement, or recalibration - rather than a major repair, especially when caught early. Left unaddressed, ongoing off-ratio spraying accelerates wear on other components and can turn a small fix into a bigger one. If you're seeing consistent ratio problems on a job, get it diagnosed before the next job rather than working around it, since it rarely resolves on its own.

We offer both - many common issues, like pump seals, hose sections, calibration, and electrical faults, can be handled with mobile/field repair so your rig doesn't lose a full day in transit. More involved work like a full proportioner rebuild or major generator service typically needs shop time. When you call in an issue, we'll tell you upfront whether it's field-repairable or something that needs the rig brought in, so you can plan around it instead of guessing. For contractors mid-job with a rig down, field repair is usually the faster path back to spraying.

A pre-season check covers proportioner calibration and pump condition, generator load-test and service, hose bundle inspection including heat elements, transfer pumps, gun condition, and a general check of the trailer or truck-mount's electrical and insulated-wall systems. The goal is catching anything that degraded over the off-season or winter storage before it costs you a job day. Post-season checks are worth doing too, so problems get flagged and parts ordered during the slow season rather than at the start of your busiest months. Booking pre-season service early avoids the scheduling crunch every rig owner hits at the same time of year.

Emergency and rush repair is prioritized specifically because a down rig mid-job means lost billable days and a stalled crew, so response time is treated differently than routine scheduled service. Whether that's a mobile technician dispatched to your job site or a fast-tracked shop repair depends on the failure and your location, but the intent is to get you back spraying as quickly as the specific issue allows. Having your rig's model, proportioner brand, and a description of the symptom ready when you call speeds up diagnosis significantly. Call 844-967-5247 directly for anything urgent rather than emailing - it gets triaged faster.

Rentals

Rental rates run roughly $650-$950 CAD per day with an operator included, with the exact rate depending on rig size, proportioner brand, and job location. Multi-day discounts apply at the week and month level, so a longer rental works out to a meaningfully lower effective daily rate than booking single days back to back. This makes rental a realistic option for covering overflow work or a rig-down situation without committing to a purchase. Contact us for current day, week, and month rates on the specific rig class you need.

A rig rental typically comes fully equipped - proportioner, generator, heated hose bundle, gun, and the trailer or truck-mount itself - so you're not sourcing separate equipment to make it job-ready. What varies rental to rental is whether an operator/technician comes with the unit or it's self-operated, so confirm that specifically when you book. Because it's a complete package, rental is a straightforward way to cover a job without pulling components from your own rig or renting piecemeal from multiple sources. Ask us to confirm the exact equipment list for the specific rig before the job date.

For one or two jobs, renting is often more cost-effective than owning, since you avoid financing payments, maintenance, and storage on a rig that would otherwise sit idle most of the month. The math generally favors rental until your billable job volume is consistent enough that ownership cost per job comes in under the day rate you'd otherwise pay repeatedly. It's also a low-commitment way to test whether you have steady enough demand to justify buying before you put money down on a purchase. If your job volume looks like it's trending up, it's worth running the actual break-even numbers with us rather than guessing.

Both options exist - rentals can come with an operator/technician or be self-operated, and which one applies depends on the specific rental arrangement, so confirm this when you book rather than assuming. An operator-included rental is useful if your crew isn't yet trained on that specific proportioner or rig configuration, while self-operated works well for experienced crews who just need the equipment. Either way, rate and terms should be confirmed upfront so there's no surprise on job day. Tell us your crew's experience level with the specific brand when you inquire, and we'll steer you to the right rental structure.

Some arrangements allow rental costs to be credited toward a future purchase, though this depends on the specific deal and isn't automatic across every rental - ask us directly when you're weighing renting now versus buying later. If you're renting because you're not sure you're ready to commit to ownership, it's worth raising this option upfront so it can be structured into the agreement rather than negotiated after the fact. This can make sense for a contractor renting repeatedly while building toward a purchase or waiting on financing approval. Bring it up when you book if there's any chance you'll want to buy within the next several months.

Canadian Logistics (Cross-Border/CSA/Generators/Winterizing)

Graco, PMC, and Gusmer proportioners are US-manufactured, so cross-border logistics, CUSMA/USMCA considerations, and customs paperwork are part of sourcing new equipment and parts into Canada. Whether duties apply and how paperwork is handled depends on the specific transaction and current trade rules, which can shift - this is genuinely a question to confirm with your dealer or a customs broker rather than something we can give you a blanket answer on. What we can tell you is what to typically expect in terms of lead time and paperwork based on how we source and import equipment. For anything with real dollar or timing stakes, get the specifics confirmed directly rather than relying on general assumptions.

CSA certification on electrical components like generators, wiring, and control systems is a real consideration for rigs operating in Canada, and it's something to confirm on any specific build or unit before you buy, especially if it originated as a US-spec build. Requirements can vary by component and by how the rig was built or modified, so treat this as a question to verify on the actual spec sheet rather than assume is uniformly handled. We build and source with this in mind, but for a definitive answer on a specific unit's certification status, ask us directly and we'll confirm before you commit. This matters most on custom builds and US-sourced used equipment where certification history may be less clear - your dealer or a customs broker can also confirm current requirements.

Diesel generators for spray foam rigs typically run 21-60kW, while gas generators run 18-22kW, with the right size depending on your proportioner's draw plus every other electrical load on the rig. The standard approach is to size to your total wattage requirement and add roughly 15% headroom, rather than sizing to the bare minimum, so the generator isn't running at its ceiling on every job. Diesel tends to suit larger builds, longer duty cycles, and cold-climate or remote work, while gas can be sufficient for lighter, more localized use. We can size a generator to your specific proportioner and rig configuration rather than a generic rule of thumb.

Winterizing centers on your heated hose bundle and generator - confirming heating elements are functioning, checking winter-grade diesel additives if you're running a diesel generator, and building in a realistic pre-job warm-up window since cold-soaked equipment takes longer to reach operating temperature. On the temperature side, material sprays best in the roughly 70-90°F range, and you don't want it dropping below about 50°F, which is why the rig's own heated storage and hose system matters as much as ambient job-site temperature. A pre-winter maintenance checklist covering hose inspection, generator service, and diesel additive checks catches most cold-weather failure points before they cost you a job day. Book pre-season service ahead of the cold months rather than after the first cold-weather breakdown.

Diesel generators, sized in the 21-60kW range, generally hold up better than gas units in the 18-22kW range for cold-climate and remote conditions, partly due to typical build quality at that output level and partly due to fuel handling characteristics in cold weather when properly winterized with the right additives. Gas generators can still be appropriate for lighter-duty, less remote work where a smaller footprint and simpler fueling logistics matter more than cold-weather margin. If you're routinely working remote sites through a Canadian winter, diesel is the more common choice among contractors for that reason. Talk to us about your typical job locations and season length before locking in generator type on a build.

Brand & Compatibility

Graco Reactor 2 units (E-XP2, E-30 Elite), PMC, and Gusmer (H-20/35) each have different strengths in output rate, ratio-control technology, and field-service ease, and the right pick depends more on your crew size and typical job type than on any one brand being universally "best." Larger crews running high-volume commercial jobs typically want the higher output and ratio-control precision of a top-tier Graco or PMC unit, while smaller crews or more varied residential/light-commercial work may be well served by a more modest configuration on any of the three brands. Parts and service network availability also varies by brand and region, which matters for downtime risk over the life of the rig. Tell us your typical crew size and job mix and we'll match you to a proportioner rather than sell you on brand alone.

Compatibility varies - some components like gun tips, mix chambers, and O-ring kits are proportioner-specific, while other parts such as certain hose and pump components have more cross-brand flexibility. We can tell you specifically what's compatible with your rig's brand and model before you order parts, rather than you guessing from a generic catalog. This matters most if you're mixing equipment from different brands on the same rig or supplementing an older unit with newer components. Give us your proportioner's exact model when ordering parts so we can confirm fit before it ships.

Yes - we service and supply parts for Gusmer (H-20/35) and other established proportioner brands, not just the newest models, since a lot of contractors are running units that have been in service for years. Parts availability on older units can take more lead time than current-generation equipment, so it's worth checking ahead of a scheduled service window rather than waiting for a breakdown. If a part is genuinely obsolete, we'll tell you that directly and talk through rebuild or upgrade options rather than leaving you stuck. Call 844-967-5247 with your model and we'll confirm what's available.

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