How To Start A Forklift Business For Sales & Rentals

When starting a new business in the forklift industry, there are several steps to follow to ensure its success. Entering into the forklift sales and rental industry for the first time can be a challenge. With the right business plan, knowing where to start when can save on startup costs, build forklift inventory and increase overall ROI. As a new business owner, begin with the basics of acquiring initial capital and estimating ROI for your business. In this post, we will discuss how to start a successful forklift sale and rental business.

Establish Your Forklift Business Entity

Of course, you should establish the forklift business entity along with a budget. Every new equipment business needs a unique name that puts them on the map. Once you have chosen a strong and informative name for your forklift business, open a business bank account in that name. Compile a detailed record of all necessary items for your business as well as any outside resources that may contribute to supporting costs. Any investments or grants should also be incorporated in this record to contribute to the evaluation of the budget. Record all essential equipment to estimate costs and create a budget. With a business name, bank account and budget set in place, you may acquire the necessary materials to start your new forklift business.

Determine The Best Forklifts To Sell And Rent

Next, determine the equipment utilized within your forklift business and what to offer your customers. Forklifts come in a variety of models that differ in design, size and load capacity. Use a forklift buying guide for your startup. Choose the best heavy-duty models that suit both the needs of your business and your customers. Consider your customers desires concerning quality, brands and budget concerns. Using these factors, you can identify the best sourcing options for the forklift sales and rental business. Evaluate your competitors’ most popular items and assess the cost. Sourcing the right equipment, especially forklifts, is likely the most impactful expense within the business. With your customers in mind, you can determine the best machinery sources to start a forklift business.

New And Used Machinery

Consider both new and used machinery options for your forklift business. Analyze factors that contrast new machinery and used equipment. Factors that contribute to price variations are, capacity, fuel type, hydraulic setup, and other features. While used forklifts may not come in perfect condition, they typically can be purchased at a reduced price. Used forklifts can be found on e-commerce platforms for as little as $3,000 or less. In contrast, a brand new forklift could cost anywhere from $20,000-$80,000, depending on the particular model and included features. Evaluate your budget and determine whether a new or used forklift would be best suited for your new business.

Forklift Training And Certifications

In the forklift industry, proper training and certifications are essential to a new equipment business. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires training and certification to ensure safety within the workplace and reduce the risk of injury. The certification course must be state approved and provide an evaluation test. Such courses are offered at training schools and junior colleges. Once you have passed the evaluation test, you are legally certified to be a forklift operator. Based on prior forklift operating experience, the training period can range anywhere from four hours in one day, to nine hours a day over a three day period. Elements such as inspection, starting and stopping, weight distribution, hazards and safety procedures are covered in the training process. These training will be useful if you need to start, maneuver or deliver forklift equipment yourself. Maintain these training and certification procedures to ensure a safe work environment within your forklift business.

Customer Agreements And Waivers

Before starting to serve forklift business customers, organize necessary legal agreements and waivers. An indemnification agreement is implemented to ensure the customers financial responsibility. They will be financially responsible in the event your company is sued for liability while the customer is in the possession of your equipment. You should also have a hold-harmless agreement. This particular agreement prevents your business from being held liable in the case of customer injury or property damage. To ensure the timely return of equipment, a conversion warning is issued to customers. This warning allows your business to press charges if customers default on the specified time. These agreements and waivers are implemented to protect your business from possible liabilities.

Surely, there are many steps to follow when starting a new forklift business from scratch. Put your forklift business on the map and establish it as a business entity. Keeping your customers and budget in mind, determine the best forklifts for your business to sell and rent. Compare new and used machinery to determine the most optimal forklifts for your business. Understand required forklift certifications and training procedures to ensure your business complies with OSHA standards. Organize customer agreements and waivers to protect your new business from possible liabilities. These steps can help you start a safe and profitable forklift business.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll To Top