Tool and equipment hire shop
Hire out tools and site equipment to tradies and builders from a small shop or yard.
- A$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shopfront or yard hiring out kit such as concrete mixers, breakers, compactors, trestles, generators and power tools by the day, week or weekend. You maintain the gear and can offer delivery.
Your first three steps
- Visit local hire shops and tradies to see which items are in demand and what is priced in your area
- Price a starter fleet of 15 to 30 high-turnover items, including buying second-hand, and check lease costs for a small unit or yard
- Set up hire agreements, a booking system and a bond process, then get quotes for public liability and equipment insurance
Who pays
Tradies, small builders, landscapers and renovators who need equipment for a job but don't want to buy it.
How it makes money
Daily and weekly hire fees, plus delivery charges, consumables like blades and fuel, and sometimes sales of used kit you retire from the fleet.
Skills that help
- Basic mechanical know-how to service equipment
- Customer service and clear explanations
- Booking and stock tracking
Watch out for
- Public liability and insurance for your hire fleet; check what is covered if kit is stolen or misused
- Some equipment (e.g. elevated work platforms, gas or fuel items) may have safety, training or storage rules, so check with your state's WHS regulator
- Council zoning and approvals for your premises or yard
- Equipment sitting idle or coming back damaged, so write clear hire terms and take a bond
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: tool and equipment hire shop
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 tool hire business in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises or yard and the size of your hire fleet. Buying more equipment, or higher-value kit, pushes costs towards the top of that range.
How much can a tool and equipment hire shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your fleet, location and how often kit is out on hire. Idle or damaged equipment can cut into this. These are estimates only.
What rules apply to running an equipment hire shop?
Things to check include insurance for your hire fleet (including theft or misuse), safety, training or storage rules for items like elevated work platforms or gas and fuel items with your state's WHS regulator, and council zoning for your premises or yard.
Other ways to run this business
Online trade supplies shop
Sell a focused range of tools, safety gear or consumables to tradies online, shipped from home.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile site supplier by ute or van
Deliver tools, fixings and consumables straight to tradies on site so they don't lose time at the trade shop.
- A$8k-30k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Similar trades ideas
Local plywood and board trade yard
Run a small yard or unit stocking plywood and boards for local builders, joiners and DIY customers.
- A$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Door showroom and trade counter
Open a small showroom and stockroom selling doors, frames and hardware to builders, joiners and homeowners.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Hose and fittings trade counter
Run a small unit selling hose and fittings over the counter and making up hoses for local trades and farms.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Residential demolition and site clearing
Take down houses, garages, sheds and pools for homeowners and builders, then clear the site.
- A$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Local pool building company
Sell, design and build pools for homeowners in your area, using your own licence and trusted trades.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Trade counter for paints and finishes
Open a small trade-focused shop or unit selling paints, varnishes and finishing products to local tradies.
- A$40k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises