Pricing is where most new listings fail. Too high and the listing collects dust; too low and you spend your Saturday handing over a €400 tool for the price of a coffee. This guide gives you a method you can apply to any item in five minutes — and the adjustments that turn a first booking into a regular one.
Start from the replacement value, not the purchase price
What would it cost to buy this item today, in this condition? That is the number your pricing hangs on. A drill you bought for €200 six years ago might be a €120 item now; price it as a €120 item.
The 1–2% rule
Charge 1–2% of the replacement value per day. A €500 tool → €5–€10/day. A €2,000 camera → €20–€40/day. Use the lower end for items with many local competitors (drills, ladders) and the upper end for items that are rare, bulky or in seasonal demand (scaffolding, a trailer, a marquee, a good projector).
Daily, weekly, monthly
- Weekly ≈ 5× the daily rate (two days free). Renters plan jobs around weekends; the weekly price is what most people actually book.
- Monthly ≈ 12–15× the daily rate. Relevant for cargo bikes, dehumidifiers, baby equipment, office chairs.
- Minimum: for cheap items set a two-day minimum or a flat €10 minimum — a single €4 day is not worth two meetups.
Set the deposit separately
The deposit is not income; it is security, agreed and exchanged directly between you and the renter, and returned after the check at return. 20–50% of the replacement value is standard, up to 100% for fragile or easily lost items. State it in the listing so there are no surprises. LocaYo does not hold deposits or payments — you collect both yourself, which is why writing the numbers into the rental agreement matters.
Benchmark against professional hire
Look up what a commercial rental shop charges for the same category. Your price should sit clearly below it — typically 40–60% of the commercial rate — because the renter gives up the shop's insurance and convenience in exchange for your price and proximity. If you can't undercut the shop meaningfully, the item is not a good rental candidate.
Seasonal adjustments
- Spring/summer: garden tools, pressure washers, tents, bike carriers, party gear — +20–30%.
- Autumn: leaf blowers, chainsaws, dehumidifiers.
- Winter: heaters, roof boxes, ski carriers; most tools flat.
- Year-round: power tools, cameras, projectors — stable, price on competition.
Nobody is booking — what now?
Wait two to three weeks before changing the price; demand is lumpy. Then, in order: improve the photos (the most common fix), add a weekly price if there is none, widen the pickup area, and only then cut the daily rate by 15–20%. For your first three to five bookings, starting 15–20% below market is a deliberate strategy — early reviews are worth more than the difference.
What one item earns
A €300 pressure washer at €6/day with two bookings a month earns €15–€30 monthly, €40–€60 in spring. Multiply by four or five items and you arrive at the realistic range of €25–€200 a month for most lenders. Anyone promising you more per item is either in a very dense city or selling a course.
Need this gear near you?
Browse rental listings from people near you — often cheaper than a rental shop. And if you have unused gear, list it and start earning.
Ready to list? See how earning works on LocaYo, or check what similar items go for near you.
FAQ — pricing rental items
How much should I charge per day to rent out an item? 1–2% of what it would cost to replace the item today. €500 item → €5–€10 a day, lower end for common items, upper end for rare or seasonal ones.
Should I offer a weekly price? Yes, always — around five times the daily rate. Most bookings for tools and equipment are weekend or full-week jobs.
How big should the deposit be? 20–50% of replacement value, up to 100% for fragile or easily lost items. It is collected and returned by you directly, not by the platform.
Should I price below professional rental shops? Yes, clearly — 40–60% of the commercial rate is the sweet spot. The renter trades convenience and shop insurance for your price and proximity.
Can I charge extra for delivery or a late return? Yes, state it in the listing: a delivery fee within a radius and a per-day late fee equal to the daily rate are both normal and accepted if announced up front.
Does LocaYo take a commission on my rental price? No. Payment happens directly between you and the renter and you keep the full amount; LocaYo is not a payment intermediary.
When should I lower my price? After two to three weeks without a booking, and only after fixing photos and adding a weekly rate. Then cut 15–20% and wait again.
Is it worth listing cheap items? Rarely below a €10 minimum per rental — two meetups for €4 is not worth anyone's time. Bundle small items (a drill with bits and a level) into one listing instead.