Tool and equipment hire yard for trades
Rent out tools and site equipment to contractors and tradespeople from a small unit or yard, with optional delivery.
- C$80k-300k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small unit or yard stocked with equipment that tradespeople need for a few days at a time, such as compactors, concrete mixers, scaffolding, pumps, heaters and power tools. You hire it out, service it between jobs and can deliver for an extra fee.
Your first three steps
- Call local contractors and ask which 10 to 15 items they most often have to rent or wait for
- Price a small starter fleet, comparing buying new, used and leasing, and check rates at nearby hire shops
- Find a unit or yard with suitable zoning and ask an insurer about cover for hired-out equipment
Who pays
Contractors, renovators, landscapers and other tradespeople, plus some small businesses and keen homeowners.
How it makes money
Daily, weekly and monthly hire rates, delivery and pickup fees, damage waivers, and sales of consumables such as blades, fuel and safety gear.
Skills that help
- Basic mechanical know-how for servicing equipment
- Customer service and clear rental agreements
- Bookkeeping and asset tracking
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance and cover for the equipment itself, including theft and damage while on hire
- Zoning and business licence rules for your unit or yard, check with your municipality
- Safety: equipment must be kept in safe working order and customers may need instructions, check your provincial occupational health and safety rules
- Rules for storing and handling fuel or propane, check local fire and regulator requirements
- Winter and seasonality can change demand, so plan for slow months
- GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: tool and equipment hire yard for trades
Researched with live web search for Canada: 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 an equipment hire yard?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $80,000 to $300,000, depending on your unit or yard and the equipment you buy. Equipment must be kept in safe working order, so allow for servicing.
How much can an equipment hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your equipment range, location and whether you offer delivery. Seasonality can change demand, so plan for slow months.
What rules should I check before starting an equipment hire yard?
Check zoning and business licence rules with your municipality, and insurance covering liability and the equipment itself. Also check provincial occupational health and safety rules, fuel and propane storage requirements, and GST/HST registration.
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