Mobility aid rentals with home delivery

People recovering from surgery or injury, visitors and tourists needing short-term mobility help, families of older relatives, and sometimes event organisers or care providers.

Daily, weekly or monthly rental fees, delivery and pickup charges, and occasional sales of basic items or accessories.

• Friendly, reassuring communication
• Organising bookings and equipment
• Safe driving and lifting
• Basic cleaning and maintenance

• Check whether your municipality allows a home-based business licence and equipment storage at your address
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus vehicle insurance that covers business use
• Clean and disinfect every item between rentals, and keep inspection records
• Use equipment approved for sale in Canada and ask suppliers about Health Canada requirements
• Demand can swing with the seasons, tourist periods and icy winter weather, so plan your cash flow
• Check with the CRA when you need to register for GST/HST and how rentals are treated

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on how many wheelchairs, walkers and other aids you buy, plus storage and a suitable vehicle. A smaller starting range can keep costs closer to the lower end.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on your stock, rental prices and how often items are booked. Demand can swing with the seasons, tourist periods and winter weather, so plan your cash flow.

Check whether your municipality allows a home-based business licence and equipment storage at your address. Also check commercial and business-use vehicle insurance, Health Canada requirements for equipment, cleaning and inspection records, and when to register for GST/HST.