Catering equipment hire with a small warehouse

Caterers, event planners, venues without their own kit, corporate event organizers, festivals and wedding hosts.

Rental fees per item and package, plus delivery, set-up and collection charges. Repeat contracts with caterers and planners give steadier income than one-off private events.

• Inventory and logistics planning
• Driving and loading heavy items
• Building relationships with caterers and planners
• Basic bookkeeping

• Commercial general liability and commercial vehicle insurance, plus cover for stock in storage and in transit
• Zoning and business licence rules for your unit, check with your municipality
• WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire staff, rules vary by province
• Heavy lifting risks and damaged or unreturned equipment, use deposits and clear rental terms
• Gas appliances may have safety or inspection requirements, check with your provincial regulator
• Event demand is seasonal, with winter often slower outside the holiday period

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $200,000, depending on your unit, stock and delivery van. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your range of equipment and how many events you supply.

Check zoning and business licence rules for your unit with your municipality. Also check WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff, and whether gas appliances have safety or inspection requirements with your provincial regulator.

Heavy lifting risks and damaged or unreturned equipment are concerns, so use deposits and clear rental terms. Check commercial general liability and vehicle insurance, and plan for slower winter demand outside the holiday period.