Instrument hire for schools and bands

Primary and secondary schools, music services, youth orchestras, community bands, and gigging or touring musicians.

Monthly or termly hire fees per instrument, with short-term hire for events and tours, plus optional delivery, tuning and repair charges.

• Knowledge of a wide range of instruments
• Basic repair and set-up skills
• Invoicing and managing school accounts
• Organising stock and deliveries

• Insurance for stock and premises, plus public liability, and employer's liability if you hire staff
• Schools and councils may have procurement or approved supplier processes, so check how to get listed
• Stock is a big upfront cost, so start with the most requested instruments
• Check business rates, lease terms and planning use for any unit
• Check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on how much stock you buy and the unit you use. Stock is a big upfront cost, so start with the most requested instruments.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on stock size, the number of school and band customers, and how often items are hired out.

Check insurance for stock and premises, plus public liability, and employer's liability if you hire staff. Schools and councils may have approved supplier processes, so check how to get listed. Also check business rates, lease terms, planning use and VAT registration.