Small-scale catering kit hire from home

Private hosts, community groups, village halls, churches, schools and small caterers who need kit for a day or weekend.

Daily or weekend hire fees per item or per package, with a refundable deposit and charges for breakages, missing items or late return.

• Organised stock and booking records
• Careful cleaning and checking of returned items
• Friendly, reliable customer service

• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council if running the business from home needs permission
• Check public liability and goods-in-transit or stock insurance covers hired items and storage
• Hire terms should cover damage, loss and cleaning; get them checked if unsure
• Electrical items like urns may need regular PAT testing; check what is expected
• Lifting and moving heavy kit can be hard on the back

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, such as urns, chafing dishes, crockery and tables, plus insurance and storage. Start small and add stock as bookings come in.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £1,500, depending on the size of your stock, how often it is booked and your prices. Treat these as estimates and test demand locally before buying more kit.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to give permission, and that your insurance covers hired items and storage. Have hire terms covering damage, loss and cleaning, and check whether electrical items like urns need PAT testing.