CATx BlueprintVol 008 | Do you need new or specialty equipment for Commercial Restoration?
Many restoration contractors hesitate to enter the commercial restoration space because they think they need to buy a warehouse full of expensive new equipment. But the truth is:
🚀 You don’t need to own everything from day one—you just need the right strategy.
Here’s what you actually need, what you can rent, and how to scale your equipment investment wisely as you grow in commercial restoration.
- Start with the Equipment You Already Have
If you’re already doing residential restoration, you likely have the basics:
✅ Air movers
✅ Dehumidifiers (LGRs)
✅ HEPA air scrubbers
✅ Moisture meters & monitoring tools
✅ Negative air machines
✅ Drying mats
💡 Pro Tip: Your existing equipment can handle small-to-medium commercial jobs, such as office spaces, retail stores, and restaurants. You don’t need massive desiccants or generators to get started.
🚀 Best Strategy: Start taking on small commercial jobs with your current equipment and reinvest your profits into larger commercial gear as demand grows.
- What Equipment is Most Important for Large Commercial Jobs?
If you want to take on larger commercial projects (50,000+ sq. ft.), you’ll eventually need:
🔹 High-Capacity Desiccant Dehumidifiers – Large commercial spaces require faster, more powerful drying.
🔹 Large-Scale HEPA Air Scrubbers – Necessary for fire damage, mold, and biohazard cleanups.
🔹 Negative Air Machines & Ducting – For containment in hospitals, schools, and sensitive environments.
🔹 Temporary Power Solutions (Generators, Power Distribution Boxes) – Needed for high-rise buildings, warehouses, and CAT work.
🔹 Industrial Water Extraction Pumps & Truck-Mounted Vacuums – Faster removal of large-scale water damage.
🔹 Thermal Imaging Cameras & Advanced Moisture Detection Tools – Crucial for detecting hidden moisture in large structures.
💡 Pro Tip: Before investing in expensive equipment, make sure you have consistent commercial work lined up.
- What Equipment Can You Rent Instead of Buying?
📌 One of the smartest ways to scale into commercial restoration is to RENT expensive equipment when needed.
✅ What You Should Rent for Large Jobs:
✔️ Desiccant dehumidifiers (4,000+ CFM) – Costly to own, but easy to rent as needed.
✔️ Large generators & power distribution boxes – Temporary power needs vary per project.
✔️ HEPA negative air machines & containment setups – For hospital & high-risk environments.
✔️ High-Capacity Air Movers (Axial Fans, Centrifugal Fans) – Bulk fans for large spaces.
✔️ High-volume water extraction equipment – Truck-mounted extractors, large sump pumps.
💡 Pro Tip: Many national rental companies (Sunbelt, United Rentals, Herc Rentals) have restoration-specific equipment available for short-term use.
🚀 Best Strategy: Rent for large jobs or CAT events, then reinvest profits into purchasing equipment once demand justifies it.
- When Should You Buy Instead of Rent?
📌 Buying makes sense when:
✅ You’re getting consistent large commercial jobs and rental costs add up.
✅ You want faster response times without waiting on rentals.
✅ You’re working on large-scale or government contracts that require you to own your own equipment.
📌 Renting makes sense when:
✅ You’re just starting in commercial and aren’t sure about demand.
✅ You’re taking on one-off large-loss projects.
✅ You need specialized equipment for only a few jobs per year.
💡 Pro Tip: Use your first few commercial projects to cash-flow your equipment purchases instead of going into debt upfront.
- How to Scale Your Equipment the Smart Way
Instead of spending $250,000+ upfront on new gear, follow this strategic scaling approach:
1️⃣ Start with what you have – Take on small-to-mid commercial jobs using your current residential equipment.
2️⃣ Rent what you need for bigger jobs – Don’t buy until you have a steady flow of commercial work.
3️⃣ Reinvest profits – Use money from commercial projects to buy your most-needed equipment first.
4️⃣ Leverage financing options – When ready, use low-interest equipment loans instead of cash purchases.
5️⃣ Buy used equipment – Many restoration companies sell quality used desiccants, generators, and air movers at a fraction of the cost.
💡 Pro Tip: Watch auctions and liquidation sales from closing restoration companies to get commercial gear at a deep discount.
- What Equipment to Buy First as You Grow
If you’re ready to start buying, prioritize high-value, frequently used commercial gear:
🛒 First Equipment to Buy:
✔️ Commercial Dehumidifiers (LGR or Medium Desiccants, 2,000+ CFM)
✔️ Larger Negative Air Machines (1,500+ CFM)
✔️ Portable Generators & Power Distribution Boxes
✔️ Truck-Mounted or High-Capacity Extraction Units
✔️ Thermal Cameras & Advanced Moisture Detection Tools
🛒 Equipment to Buy Later (Once Demand Increases):
✔️ Large Desiccant Dehumidifiers (4,000+ CFM) & Trailer Units
✔️ Industrial HEPA Air Scrubbers & High-Capacity Negative Air Machines
✔️ Bulk Air Movers (200+ for large-scale drying projects)
✔️ Forklifts, Scissor Lifts, or Specialized Moving Equipment
🚀 Best Strategy: Buy the equipment that generates the most revenue per job first—not just what looks impressive in your warehouse.
- Final Takeaways: Do You Need All New Equipment?
🔹 NO—you don’t need to buy everything upfront.
🔹 YES—you can start with small commercial jobs using your current equipment.
🔹 RENT high-cost equipment for large jobs until you can justify the purchase.
🔹 BUY new equipment strategically—start with what you’ll use most often.
📌 Biggest Mistake? Spending too much on new equipment before you have consistent commercial jobs.
📌 Smartest Move? Use profits from your first few commercial jobs to fund your expansion without going into unnecessary debt.
🚀 Want expert guidance on scaling your commercial restoration business the right way?
📩 Contact CATx today—we’ll help you grow your commercial division without wasting money on unnecessary equipment!
Responses