Printer and copier rental for small offices
Rent refurbished printers and copiers to local small businesses on monthly contracts, with delivery and basic servicing.
- C$4k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You buy used or refurbished office printers and copiers, keep them in good order, and rent them to small offices on monthly or yearly contracts. You deliver, set up and fix them when needed, and supply toner or arrange it.
Your first three steps
- Call a few small offices near you to learn what they pay now for printing and what frustrates them
- Source two or three refurbished machines from a dealer or lease return seller and test them thoroughly
- Write a simple rental agreement with a lawyer or template service and offer a trial month to your first clients
Who pays
Small businesses, clinics, accounting and law firms, real estate offices, and non-profits that want a machine without buying one.
How it makes money
A monthly rental fee per machine, often with a per-page charge or toner and service add-ons. Each machine that stays on contract keeps earning, so income builds as you place more of them.
Skills that help
- Basic technical and repair skills
- Selling to local businesses
- Reliable customer service
- Keeping track of contracts and equipment
Watch out for
- Machines can break or lose value quickly, so budget for repairs and replacements
- Copiers store scanned documents, so check how you will wipe hard drives between clients
- Commercial general liability insurance and cover for equipment you own or have at client sites
- Check rules in your province on disposing of old electronics
- Register for GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency once revenue passes the threshold
- Check your rental contract terms for early cancellation, damage and non-payment
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: printer and copier rental for small offices
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 a copier rental business in Canada?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many machines you buy and their condition. Budget for repairs and replacements, since machines can break or lose value quickly.
What should I check before renting copiers to businesses?
Check how you will wipe hard drives between clients, since copiers store scanned documents. Also check your province's rules on disposing of old electronics, insurance for equipment at client sites, GST/HST registration, and contract terms on cancellation, damage and non-payment.
How much revenue can a printer and copier rental business make?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,200 to $6,000, depending on how many machines you rent out and on what contracts. The estimate assumes at least about 15 hours a week for delivery, servicing and admin.
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