Lifts, trenchers, dehumidifiers, jackhammers, large ladders. Most service companies need specialty equipment only on some jobs, and how they rent it decides if those jobs make money.
In this article
Rent or buy
Add up how many days a year you rent each item. If the rentals cost more than a payment on your own unit, it's time to buy.
Rental partners
Keep two or three rental yards with accounts already open, delivery options and the contact of someone who knows you.
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Reserve ahead
When the job is booked, reserve the equipment the same day. Busy seasons empty the rental yards.
Bill the customer
Put the rental in the estimate, with the pickup and return time. Don't let it disappear inside your margin.
Pickup and return
Decide who picks it up and who returns it. Late returns add days you'll pay for.
Damage and condition
Take photos when you pick up and return. Check if your insurance covers rented equipment.
Common mistakes
Renting on the morning of the job, forgetting to bill the rental and paying extra days because no one returned it.
Price every call so it pays.
We help service businesses set clear policies, book better jobs and turn more calls into profitable work.
Frequently asked questions
Should equipment rental be charged to the customer?
Yes, when the equipment is needed for that specific job. Add it as a line item or include it in the job price, plus the time to pick up and return it.