What to Ask Before Renting Equipment: We Read 672 Yard Websites

Updated 2026-10-27 · EquipmentRentalFinder editorial

Before you rent, ask for a written quote that lists the rate, delivery and pickup charges, the damage waiver, fuel and cleaning charges, and the deposit. Don't count on finding prices online. In October 2026 we read the websites of 672 equipment rental businesses in our directory. Only 10 of them (1.5%) showed rental prices on the pages we could read, and 199 (30%) mentioned delivery.

What 672 rental yard websites show

EquipmentRentalFinder has 968 equipment rental listings in 29 states. In October 2026 we read the websites of 672 of these businesses and noted what each said about delivery, online booking and prices.

What the website showed	Businesses	Share of 672
Mentions delivery	199	30%
Takes bookings online	69	10%
Shows rental prices on the pages we read	10	1.5%

Of our 968 listings, 384 (40%) are locations of national chains.

A yard whose website doesn't mention delivery may still deliver, and a yard with no prices online can still quote you. The takeaway: at most yards, you have to ask about price and delivery.

What to ask before you rent

Terms vary by yard and can change. The examples below come from the published terms and FAQs of three large companies: United Rentals, Herc Rentals and The Home Depot. Use them as a guide to what to ask any yard.

1. What do delivery and pickup cost?

Delivery can be a separate charge. For example, United Rentals' rental terms say pickup and delivery are subject to a "Delivery and Pick-up Service Charge," with the amount listed on the rental agreement. Herc Rentals adds a surcharge for delivery, pickup and transportation. The Home Depot says it can deliver heavy machinery to a home or job site, but large equipment delivery requires at least a 24-hour rental.

Also ask how the rental ends. United Rentals' terms say charges stop when the equipment is returned during business hours, or picked up after you tell United it is "off rent" and get an off-rent confirmation number. Write that number down.

2. How long is a rental day, and how many hours are included?

Ask which rate periods the yard offers and when the clock starts. The Home Depot lists four tiers: a 4-hour minimum, 24-hour daily, weekly and 4-week. Its FAQ describes the weekly rate as "7 days for the cost of ~4 days," so if you need a machine for several days, compare the weekly price.

A rate can also limit your hours. Herc Rentals says its daily, weekly and 4-week rates cover one shift: up to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week or 160 hours per 4 weeks. Extra use is billed by the hour, at 1/8 of the daily charge on a daily rental. United Rentals' terms base rates on the same 8-hour day and 40-hour week, and say rental charges accrue on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Ask how hours and days are counted.

3. Should I take the damage waiver?

All three companies offer an optional damage waiver or rental protection plan, and all three say it is not insurance. Here is how they compare, based on United Rentals' plan terms, Herc's plan terms and The Home Depot's FAQ:

Company	Plan fee	What the plan limits	Some exclusions
United Rentals	15% of rental charges	Caps your share at the lesser of 10% of replacement value, 10% of repair cost or $500, plus tax	Tire and tube damage such as blowouts and punctures
Herc Rentals	15%	Caps your share at $500 or 10% of the repair or replacement cost per item, whichever is less	Tires, tubes and tracks; theft unless a written report is filed with the authorities
The Home Depot	15% of the rental price	Relieves you of repair or replacement costs for damage during normal use	Theft, abuse, misuse, neglect and failure to follow care instructions

United's figures are for equipment; its terms differ for passenger vehicles. Herc also says you must report loss or damage within 24 hours, and The Home Depot says you must accept or decline its plan at checkout.

Without a plan, the risk is yours. Herc's page says loss of or damage to equipment on rent, from any cause, is the customer's responsibility. United Rentals and Herc both say you must either show proof of property insurance or buy their plan. Ask what the waiver costs, what it leaves out and whether your insurance covers rented equipment.

4. What are the fuel and cleaning rules?

Ask how full the tank must be at return. United Rentals' terms say you can avoid its refueling service charge by returning the equipment with a full tank. Herc charges a refueling service charge on equipment and vehicles not returned full. The Home Depot says vehicles and large equipment must come back with a full tank, but refueling is not required for tool rentals.

Ask about cleaning, too. Herc says customers pay cleaning costs for equipment returned with excessive dirt, concrete or paint. The Home Depot's rental agreement lists a cleaning charge if equipment comes back dirty, and United Rentals' terms say it will invoice excess cleaning costs. Take photos at pickup and return.

5. What deposit and ID do I need?

Ask how much the deposit is and when you get it back. The Home Depot says renters must be at least 18 with a valid government-issued photo ID and a credit card in their name, and that its deposits are fully refundable and vary by equipment type. United Rentals' terms say a customer's credit card will be charged a deposit for the estimated rental, up to 28 days, 24 hours before the rental starts.

6. What if the machine breaks down?

Stop using it and call the yard. United Rentals' terms say that if equipment becomes unsafe, malfunctions or needs repair, the customer must stop using it and notify United right away. Under those terms, charges stop at the time of failure only if the equipment is returned within 24 hours. The Home Depot's FAQ also says to stop using the equipment and contact the rental center for troubleshooting, a swap or a billing adjustment. Ask who answers the phone after hours.

7. Will someone show me how to use it?

Don't assume training comes with the rental. The Home Depot's rental agreement says it is not responsible for operator training unless the renter asks for it. United Rentals' terms state that the customer "is familiar with the proper operation and use of each item of Equipment." Ask for a walk-through and the operator's manual.

Some machines come with extra safety rules:

Scissor lifts. OSHA says only trained workers are allowed to use scissor lifts, and employers must train workers on the hazards. Compare scissor lift rentals.
Digging. Before you dig with a mini excavator or skid steer, call 811. PHMSA, the federal pipeline safety agency, says states require by law that you call 48 to 72 hours before digging, and that the call and the line marking are free.
Generators. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says to run portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet from the house, and never inside a home, garage, basement or shed. See generator rentals.

Safety rules change, so confirm current requirements with OSHA and your state's 811 one-call center.

Checklist: get these answers before you sign

The full price in writing: rate, taxes and every fee
Delivery and pickup charges, plus any surcharge
Rate period (hours, day, week or 4 weeks), when the clock starts and stops, and whether weekends count
Hours of use included, and the cost of extra hours
Damage waiver cost and exclusions, and whether your insurance covers rentals
Fuel level and cleaning standard expected at return
Deposit amount, how it is charged and when it is refunded
How to call the machine off rent, and a confirmation number when you do
Who to call if it breaks down, including after hours
A walk-through and the operator's manual
For digging jobs: call 811 and wait until the lines are marked

Chain or local yard? Ask both the same questions

National chain locations make up 40% of our listings. Some large companies post their full terms online, which is why we used them as examples. Local yards set their own terms. Ask every yard the same questions, then compare quotes side by side. Browse the directory to find several yards near you.

How we got these numbers

In October 2026 we read the websites of 672 equipment rental businesses in our directory. For each one, we noted whether the pages we could read mentioned delivery, took bookings online or showed rental prices. Some chain websites show prices only after you pick a store; those aren't in our count. These counts reflect what the websites said, not what each business actually offers. Learn more about how we list businesses.