How do I verify a video production company’s equipment ownership and rentals?

Start with the asset list and test it. Ask for serial numbers and invoices, then see the equipment itself rather than relying on a spreadsheet. Pay attention to gear that appears in the portfolio but not on the list, which may belong to a freelancer or a client. Ask who owns the computers and the storage drives where project files sit.

Next, review how the company pays for equipment. Ask for lease contracts, loan agreements and any liens registered against the assets. Ask which items are rented for individual shoots, how often and at what cost. A company that rents heavily may depend on suppliers who can change terms. Ask whether any gear is shared with another business or a partner. In small studios, equipment often moves between related companies, and the paperwork may not follow it.

Finally, ask whether the equipment suits the work the company sells. Old gear may produce good work but need replacing soon. An independent appraiser can judge condition, and your lawyer can confirm what transfers and what must be paid out at closing.

Key takeaways

• Mark each item as owned, financed, leased or rented, with papers to match.
• See the equipment in person and check serial numbers against invoices.
• Ask your lawyer to search for liens and confirm what transfers.
• Ask whether any equipment was bought on the credit of a client, a partner or a freelancer.