Tool hire shop or trade counter

Local builders, tradespeople, landscapers, landlords and homeowners who want walk-in service and fast turnaround.

Hire fees per day, week or longer, plus sales of consumables such as blades, fuel and fixings, and optional delivery charges.

• Mechanical know-how for servicing equipment
• Stock and asset management
• Customer service at the counter
• Basic business and cash flow planning

• Commercial lease terms, business rates and planning use of the unit; check with the landlord and your council
• Insurance for stock, hired-out equipment, public liability and employer's liability once you hire staff
• Safety duties for equipment you hire out, including inspection records and customer instructions; check current HSE guidance
• Heavy up-front stock costs and equipment that sits idle, so build up your range gradually
• Bad debts from trade accounts; take references and set credit limits

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, the range of equipment you buy and your servicing area. These are estimates, and building up your range gradually can ease heavy up-front stock costs.

Check commercial lease terms, business rates and planning use of the unit with your landlord and council. Also check insurance for stock, hired equipment and public liability, employer's liability once you hire staff, and current HSE guidance on safety duties.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your range, location and the trade customers you win. Equipment can sit idle and trade accounts can become bad debts, so take references and set credit limits.