Small equipment hire from home

Homeowners doing weekend projects, renovators, small landscapers and tradies who need a tool for a day or two.

Daily or weekend hire rates per item, plus delivery fees and bonds. Most of the cost is the equipment, so each item earns its money back over repeat hires.

• Basic mechanical know-how
• Organising bookings and returns
• Clear, friendly customer service

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a home-based business with customers collecting gear
• Public liability and hired-out equipment insurance: check exactly what is covered if a customer is injured or damages an item
• Safety instructions and a signed hire agreement for every item
• Theft and damage: consider bonds, ID checks and secure storage

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many items you buy, such as trailers, pressure washers and concrete mixers, plus insurance, storage and an online booking system.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the size of your fleet, pricing and how often items are booked out. These are estimates only, and repairs and insurance come out of that.

Check with your local council whether you need approval for a home-based business with customers collecting gear. Also check what your insurance covers if a customer is injured or damages an item, and use hire agreements, safety instructions and secure storage.