Tool Rental: what it costs to hire and how to size one

How to hire tool rental without paying twice

1. Check the week rate against the day rate. Most counters price a day, a week and a month, and the week is commonly around three day rates. Booking Friday to Monday can cost the same as booking a single day, so ask for all three before you choose.
2. Book the consumables with the machine. Blades, discs, bits and bags are charged on use and the yard may not have your size on the morning. Reserve them with the machine.
3. Take the machine's requirements seriously. Concrete saws want water, floor grinders want a vacuum, and big compressors want a vehicle that can tow. Turning up without the second half of the setup is the commonest wasted hire.
4. Inspect and photograph at collection. Damage disputes are settled by what the machine looked like when it left. Two minutes of photographs at the counter is the cheapest insurance available.
5. Understand the damage waiver. It is not insurance, it usually excludes negligence and theft, and it is a percentage of the hire. Read what it actually covers before agreeing to it.

Damage waivers and insurance

Common questions

Is it cheaper to rent or buy tools?

Hire what you will use once and buy what you will use monthly. The crossover is faster than people expect for consumables-heavy machines, and slower than expected for anything that needs storage and maintenance.

What do I need to rent a tool?

Photo identification and a card in most cases, and a deposit on higher-value items. Some machines require evidence of training or a business account.

What happens if I return a tool late?

Most counters charge the extra day or the extra week, and some charge a premium. Where a machine is booked out behind you, a late return can also cost the yard a hire, which is why the policies are firm.

Establishments by state