Mobile forklift service and hire
Service forklifts on site from a van and rent out a few machines to local businesses that need short-term cover.
- A$45k-180k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based service that visits workplaces to maintain and repair forklifts, alongside a small fleet of used forklifts you hire out by the week or month. It suits someone with a mechanical background who wants to grow into hire and sales.
Your first three steps
- Check your mechanical qualifications and what training or certification customers expect for forklift servicing
- Price a fitted-out van and one or two used forklifts for hire, and get quotes for insurance
- Visit nearby industrial estates, introduce your service and offer a first inspection to build a regular client list
Who pays
Small factories, warehouses, nurseries, builders' merchants and trade yards that have a few machines and no in-house mechanic.
How it makes money
Charges for service visits and repairs (labour plus parts), plus weekly or monthly hire fees on each machine in your fleet.
Skills that help
- Mechanical and hydraulic repair skills
- Reading service manuals and safety standards
- Reliable scheduling and customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus cover for hire equipment and your tools
- Forklift operators generally need a high risk work licence, so check with your state's WHS regulator and make hire terms clear
- Check what safety inspection and maintenance standards your customers must meet
- Check for any state licensing that applies to the repair work you plan to do
- Hire machines can be damaged or go unpaid, so use a signed agreement and deposits
- Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile forklift service and hire
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile forklift service in Australia?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $45,000 to $180,000, depending on your van, tools, the size of your hire fleet and insurance. Get quotes for your own setup before committing.
How much can a mobile forklift service and hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on how many customers you service, how many machines you hire out and your rates. These are estimates, not guarantees, and the idea suits about 20 or more hours a week.
What rules should I check before starting forklift service and hire?
Check that forklift operators generally need a high risk work licence with your state's WHS regulator, and make hire terms clear. Also check the safety inspection standards your customers must meet and any state licensing for the repair work you plan.
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