Audio, lighting and projector rental shop
Open a small unit renting pro audio, lighting and projectors to event planners, venues and businesses.
- $15k-75k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
5,321 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.4% in a year
NAICS 532289 “All other consumer goods rental”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small shop or warehouse unit with a wider stock of audio, lighting, staging and projection gear, rented to customers who pick up or have it delivered, with optional technicians.
Your first three steps
- Visit local event planners and venues to learn what gear they struggle to find, then plan your starting inventory
- Price out a small commercial unit and a rental management software tool, and form an LLC if it suits you
- Buy a core stock of reliable gear and sign up with wedding and event vendor directories
Who pays
Event planners, wedding and corporate clients, venues, schools, churches, bands and production companies.
How it makes money
Rental fees by day or week, package deals, delivery and setup charges, and technician time. Repeat business from planners and venues builds steady income.
Skills that help
- Technical knowledge of audio, lighting and video gear
- Inventory tracking and maintenance
- Sales and relationship building with planners and venues
Watch out for
- Commercial lease terms, zoning and your city or county business license
- General liability and inventory insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Sales tax registration and how your state taxes rentals
- High cost of gear and depreciation, so avoid overbuying
- Electrical safety, testing of equipment and who is responsible for damage or injury at events
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: audio, lighting and projector rental shop
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 open an AV rental shop?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on how much gear you buy, your premises and insurance. Gear is costly and loses value over time, so avoid overbuying.
How much can an audio and lighting rental shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your stock, how many clients you win and whether you offer technicians. The estimate assumes roughly 30 or more hours a week.
What rules and insurance should I check for an AV rental shop?
Check your commercial lease terms, zoning and city or county business license. Also check general liability and inventory insurance, workers' compensation once you hire, sales tax registration, and electrical safety and responsibility for damage at events.
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