Short-term office equipment hire
Hire out printers, laptops, screens and other office kit by the day or week for events, projects and temporary offices.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
738 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 77330 “Renting and leasing of office machinery and equipment (including computers)”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A short-hire service for businesses that need office equipment for a limited time: conferences, exhibitions, site cabins, training courses, pop-up offices or a busy project period. You deliver, set up and collect.
Your first three steps
- Choose a small starter range, such as a few printers, laptops and monitors, and price each by the day and week
- Set up a simple website and booking sheet with clear hire terms, deposits and damage charges
- Introduce yourself to local event organisers, training venues and serviced office providers
Who pays
Event organisers, training companies, construction and project teams, recruiters and firms setting up temporary space.
How it makes money
Daily, weekly or monthly hire fees per item or package, plus delivery and set-up charges.
Skills that help
- Setting up and testing equipment
- Organising stock and bookings
- Customer service under time pressure
- Driving and loading
Watch out for
- Insurance for hired-out equipment, loss and damage, plus public liability
- Electrical safety checks such as PAT testing, check what is expected for items you hire out
- Wiping data from laptops and printers between every hire
- Uneven demand, with busy weeks followed by quiet ones
- A vehicle big enough for deliveries, and how you will be insured to carry the kit
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: short-term office equipment hire
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 an office equipment hire business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the kit you buy, storage and the vehicle you use for deliveries. Check how you will be insured to carry the equipment.
How much can short-term equipment hire earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on your range of kit and how often it is booked. Demand can be uneven, with busy weeks followed by quiet ones, so plan your cash flow.
What rules should I check before hiring out equipment?
Check insurance for hired-out equipment, including loss and damage, plus public liability. Check what electrical safety checks such as PAT testing are expected, and make sure data is wiped from laptops and printers between every hire.
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