Forklift hire with you as operator

Builders, landscapers, building suppliers, event and trade-show crews and small businesses that need a machine for a day but have no trained operator.

Day or half-day rate for machine and operator, plus a travel charge. Add a lower machine-only rate once you trust a customer's trained staff.

• Certified forklift operation
• Safe towing and loading
• Reliable scheduling and site communication

• Most provinces require documented operator training and evaluation rather than a government licence, but rules differ, so check with your provincial health and safety regulator
• Check whether you need a municipal business licence or registration with your city or town before trading
• Insurance for operated equipment, damage to customer property and hauling, check with a commercial broker
• Check towing weight limits and licence class for your truck and trailer
• Work is weather-dependent and slower in winter in many areas
• Workers' compensation registration (for example WCB or WSIB) may be needed if you hire help, check by province

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the forklift or forklifts you buy, the trailer and towing setup, and insurance. The estimates assume at least about 15 hours a week.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many days you are booked and your daily rate. These are revenue estimates, and work can be slower in winter in many areas.

Check your provincial health and safety regulator's operator training rules, any municipal business licence, insurance for operated equipment and customer property, and towing weight limits and licence class. Also check workers' compensation registration if you hire help.