starting up a small trailer hiring business advice required

khampson

Hi, I have 2 general purpose trailers in my garden that I would like to hire out, not sure what I need to do to start it up? I say small business but it going to just top my income up really as I work full time anyway.

What do I need to start it up legally? Also if I lend a trailer out what can I do to stop a customer doing a runner with it and not bringing it back? So what if any insurance do I need?

Also would I need to display the registration if the vehicle pulling in the trailer? Would this be my responsabilty? Printing reg plates is expensive and not really practically done at short notice

What about advertising? Can be expensive and not guaranteed to generate income so where would or could advertise cheaply.

What else do I need to consider to get up and running? Got 2 nearly new trailers sat in the garden when I could be getting additional income from them.

Any help and suggestions will be great thanks
Keith

steve1980

The words more hassle than what it's worth spring to mind. For two trailers it's not worth the paperwork, deposits, insurance, tax outlay and a yearly tax return.

why don't you try selling them instead?

chalkie99

Can't give full help but a few thoughts to get you started.

I imagine you would need Public Liability insurance to protect you from any incidents arising on your premises (garden) while customers are there.

You would need to check the hirers insurance to make sure they are covered to tow a trailer and, also, you need to ensure that all drivers are licensed to tow a trailer, bearing in mind that the standard driving licence no longer gives you the right to do that.

You would also need photo id and you would need to take payment by credit or debit card so you would need a card terminal which will cost you per month. Ask your bank for a quote based on that type of business. You would need to take both payment and a hefty deposit on the card and then refund the deposit by card on satisfactory return. (You need card payments because with cash or cheques people will just disappear).

Number plates - you can buy the equipment to make your own but you have the initial outlay which will take ages to get back and you need to be licensed by the DVLA to make them. Is there a motor factors or Halfords near you that can do plates while you wait?

Have a look at other hire sites and get a really good set of terms and conditions drawn up and checked by a solicitor.

Good luck with it but seems like a lot of work to set up!

khampson

Yes thanks for that, seems a little to much work for a couple of trailers, what if I was to offer my services where I do the driving, using my car and fuel?

Keith

paddyrg

How about talking to a local car/van hire place (already set up to do hires/ID/etc) about using you for cross-hires - they pay £x and add their markup. You would have to maintain them and keep them available to the hire place, but it may be an option. Also, it is possible they can forecourt them which gives you garden space back?

Savvy_Sue

You would also need to be at home whenever a customer wanted to pick up or return a trailer, and (if you value your trailer) give some instruction on basic manoeuvres.

As for hiring yourself out, if you've got the time, there's no reason why not, BUT you must notify your insurer (and expect your premium to go UP), and you might need separate cover for trailer contents while in transit / loading / unloading.

jexygirl

hmmmmmmm....
Firstly, I rarely see a trailer with a proper Reg board - its often a hastily coloured in with felt tip / scribbled on a scrap of random coloured paper stuck into the gap on the trailer board - which apparently is legal as long as it is readable - so to me, whats the difference between that and a blackboard section with a chalk pen - although I realise it wouldn't look very "professional," it is what most people do if they borrow a trailer... *waits to get shot down*

Chalkie has made some good points, but I also like Paddys suggestion of perhaps networking /reciprocating with a local hire company if you really want to put in effort!.

We used to hire trailers from http://www.ambrowtrailers.co.uk/trailer-hire.html (Note to Sue - not mine, live at opposite end of country now so not promoting!) for all sorts, they provided a really good service.
Have a look and see what they offer and prices and particularly terms and conditions (all pre paid hires)- is it really worth your while as a part time as and when, when as Sue says you need to be home when they collect etc. Cover any damage repair costs on return / clean it out so its ready for its next hire (one hires it to shift manure, the next wants it for a nice cream leather suite...) /service it regularly /have proper insurance /breakdown cover if it blows a tyre or damages a car because the hirer didnt know how to move a trailer/invoicing and book keeping / bookings /promoting the hires and soooo many other things!

Whilst I see what you are saying, they are sitting there, in your garden, and could be earning you a few extra quid, its a ripe opportunity - but the costs of doing it legally perhaps outweigh the logistics unless you wanted to go into it full time as a full on buisness rather than earning a few quid here and there for nothing but lending out a trailer - sadly it is never for nothing!.
I would sell one, and keep the other as they are useful, or lend it to mates for a beer but then I drink alot! *side note = how did you end up with 2 nearly new trailers ?*
cheers
Jex