I’m interested in starting a rental equipment business similar to Sunbelt in the U.S., but I’ve only got about $10,000 saved up right now. I’m looking for advice on the best types of equipment to start with, something that’s valuable and in demand but can be purchased for $5,000 or less. Any tips from people with experience in this field?
@Blaze
Get a few dollies. The high-end ones that lay flat on four wheels. You can rent them out for $10 an hour. I’ve tried renting dollies and ladders before, and it was surprisingly hard to find them!
@Tan
Just don’t go into debt. Dollies are cheap and can be a solid starting point.
Tan said:
@Tan
Just don’t go into debt. Dollies are cheap and can be a solid starting point.
Dollies are a great idea, thanks! They’re affordable and easy to find.
@Blaze
This is super helpful—I had to take a screenshot of your comment! Landscaping is huge in my area, so I think I’ll research what’s in demand for that industry. I’m hoping to get insights from someone familiar with subcontracting too.
I started a landscaping business and gradually scaled up to $50k-100k worth of equipment. After that, I branched into equipment rentals. Starting small and reinvesting your earnings might be the way to go.
If you aren’t good at maintaining and repairing gas or electric-powered equipment, I’d recommend steering clear of those. The costs of maintenance could quickly eat into your profits. The only small rental businesses I’ve seen thrive are more geared toward party equipment—things like tents, tables, chairs, and inflatables.
Think big, bulky, and cheap equipment.
Tan said:
Think big, bulky, and cheap equipment.
I thought about that, but most sellers aren’t going to let go of usable equipment for cheap. Maybe auctions could be a good place to find deals, though. I don’t know much about construction equipment yet, but there’s always a need for it with ongoing development, and Sunbelt charges a ton for rentals.
There are plenty of guides and stories online about starting equipment rental businesses.
CyberSentinel said:
There are plenty of guides and stories online about starting equipment rental businesses.
That’s the problem—there’s so much conflicting advice and scams out there. I wish I could just call up the CEO of Sunbelt and ask for their playbook to become a competitor, but that’s not gonna happen!
What about getting a couple of trailers? One for hauling equipment and another you could rent out. If landscaping is big in your area, a trailer with a dump feature for dirt or mulch might be a hit. Just be sure to look into any local registration and DOT requirements.
With $5k, I’d consider things like generators, demo hammers, chainsaws, pressure washers, and carpet cleaners. In the winter, heaters (both electric and propane) are a hit, especially here in Minnesota. I manage a family-owned rental company, and those are some of the popular smaller items we rent out. Seasonal gear like dethatchers, aerators, and trenchers can also bring in good money.
What about bathroom trailers? If you’ve got a truck to pull them, it’s pretty cheap to empty them at local waste treatment centers. You’d need to put time into cleaning and setting them up, but it could be worth it.
If you’ve got space, look into older forklifts. Not too old, but you can find Nissan or Toyota lifts from the 2000s for around $1,500 to $2,000. They might be worth checking out.
Check out construction sites and see what kind of equipment they’re renting. That could give you some ideas for what’s in demand.