Audio hire shop with small warehouse

Event organisers, venues, corporate clients, wedding planners, schools, festivals and touring performers.

Hire fees for equipment and packages, plus charges for delivery, setup, a sound operator and extras like cables and stands.

• Solid audio and live sound knowledge
• Equipment maintenance and testing
• Quoting, invoicing and customer service

• Public liability, stock and equipment insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff
• Check lease terms, zoning and council rules for your premises
• Electrical testing and tagging requirements for hired equipment, check your state's rules
• Large stock investment: gear sits idle in quiet seasons and becomes outdated
• Register for GST once your turnover reaches the threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the range of PA systems, mixers and lighting you stock and the premises you choose. Large stock purchases can sit idle in quiet seasons and become outdated, so buy carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your stock range, location and whether you offer installation or operator services. These are estimates only, so check your own costs and likely booking levels before committing to a lease.

Check lease terms, zoning and council rules for your premises. Also look at public liability, stock and equipment insurance, workers compensation once you hire, electrical testing and tagging rules in your state, and GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold.