Garden machinery hire from home
Hire out mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers by the day or weekend from a garage, with local delivery.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
7,895 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 77390 “Renting and leasing of other machinery, equipment and tangible goods n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small fleet of garden machines such as lawn mowers, strimmers, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers, stored at home and hired out by the day, weekend or week. You can offer collection or deliver in a van or car with a trailer.
Your first three steps
- Check local hire prices and pick 5 to 8 machines that are popular and easy to store
- Write a simple hire agreement with deposit, damage and late return terms, and get insurance quotes
- Set up a local social media page and Google Business Profile, and put cards in nearby shops and community groups
Who pays
Homeowners with a one-off tidy-up, landlords between tenants, and small gardening or landscaping firms needing extra kit.
How it makes money
Daily and weekly hire rates, plus delivery fees and optional extras like fuel or cutting line. Refundable deposits protect you against damage.
Skills that help
- Basic machinery maintenance
- Organised bookings and record keeping
- Clear safety advice for customers
Watch out for
- Hire insurance: check you have public liability cover and cover for your equipment while it is out on hire
- Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows customers to collect from your home
- Keep machines serviced and safe, and check your responsibilities for safety instructions and PAT testing for electric kit
- Storing petrol safely at home, check fire safety advice and your insurer's rules
- Machines that are not returned or come back damaged, so take deposits and photo the condition
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: garden machinery hire from home
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: 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 garden machinery hire business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on how many mowers, strimmers, hedge trimmers and other machines you buy and whether you offer delivery.
What should I check before hiring out garden machinery?
Things to check: public liability cover and equipment cover while out on hire; whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows collection from home; servicing, safety instructions and PAT testing; and your insurer's rules on storing petrol.
How much can garden machinery hire earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on your fleet and how often it is booked. Taking deposits and photographing the condition of machines helps with damage. Around 5 hours a week at least.
Other ways to run this business
Similar home services ideas
Local tool hire with delivery
Rent out power tools and small equipment from home storage, delivered to DIYers and small builders nearby.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Skylight and rooflight installer
Fit and replace skylights and rooflights in homes, extensions and loft conversions for local owners and builders.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Carpet supply and fit service
Measure, quote, supply and fit carpets for homeowners and landlords, and build your own local customer base.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Patio cover and garden room fitter
Fit patio covers, glass rooms and conservatories for homeowners, buying kits from a manufacturer or supplier.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile burglar alarm supplier and fitter
Sell and fit intruder alarms at homes and small businesses, working from a van with no shop to pay for.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Smoke and soot cleaning specialist
Clean smoke and soot from homes after a fire, often as a subcontractor to restoration firms and loss adjusters.
- £2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about