Start a ute and van hire business from a small yard

People moving house, tradies needing an extra vehicle, DIY renovators, small businesses with a one-off job.

Daily or half-day hire rates, with kilometre allowances, plus extras like trolleys, blankets, tow bars or insurance excess reduction.

• Customer service at the counter
• Vehicle checks and basic maintenance
• Scheduling and bookkeeping

• Commercial hire vehicle insurance and public liability cover, and the cost of excess when damage happens
• Council zoning and approvals for a premises that stores and hands over vehicles
• Check licence requirements for heavier vehicles, which can differ by state
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff, through your state scheme
• Vehicles sitting idle while still costing finance, rego and servicing

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $200,000 to $500,000, depending on how many vehicles you buy or finance and the yard or unit you set up. Idle vehicles still carry finance, rego and servicing costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on fleet size, your rates and how often vehicles are booked out. Vehicle costs continue when they sit idle, and revenue is not profit.

Check commercial hire vehicle insurance, public liability cover and the cost of excess when damage happens. Also check council zoning and approvals for your premises, licence requirements for heavier vehicles in your state, and workers compensation once you hire staff.