What spare parts and tools come with an equipment rental yard?

Begin in the shop and the parts room. Walk the shelves with the list in hand and ask which items are fast-moving and which have sat for a long time. Obsolete stock is not necessarily useful, so ask the mechanic what the shop actually uses to keep rented machines running.

Tools need their own count. Larger shop equipment, such as lifts and welders, as well as hand tools, trailers and attachments, should appear with a note of age and condition. Ask whether any belong to an employee, since mechanics often own their own tools and would take them when they leave.

Check what is financed or leased. A piece of equipment with a lien or lease payment may not transfer freely. Your lawyer can search for registered claims and tell you how to treat them in the agreement. Finally, ask how parts are sourced. Standing accounts with suppliers and any trade pricing may not pass to you automatically, so ask whether a new owner would need to apply again. Photograph the shelves and the tool wall on the day you inspect, then compare them with the same areas on closing day.

Key takeaways

• Walk the parts room with the list and ask the mechanic which items are really used.
• Mark tools that belong to employees, leased gear and anything with a lien.
• Find out whether supplier accounts and trade terms carry over to a new owner.