A general contractor can sub out nearly everything. Owning equipment is a decision to bring some of that work in-house. This guide covers when that pays and how to fund it.
Apply Now →The distinctive choice for a general is not buy versus rent, it is bring-in versus sub-out. If you own a trencher or a lift, you can self-perform that part of the scope. You keep the margin that was going to a sub, and you control the schedule. You also take on the payment, the operator, the maintenance and the risk when work is slow.
Do it where the scope shows up on most of your jobs and the sub's price is a large share of the line item.
| Option | What you gain | What you take on |
|---|---|---|
| Sub out the work | No capital, no idle equipment | The sub's margin and schedule |
| Rent equipment | Flexibility, newest machines | Rental cost on every job, availability |
| Buy and self-perform | Margin and schedule control | Payment, operator, maintenance, idle time |
Not all equipment is heavy. Many generals fund work trucks, a utility trailer, scaffolding, a jobsite office trailer or a fleet of small power tools for crews. These are less glamorous than a machine but affect how many jobs you can run at once. A second crew truck can mean a second job running. A jobsite trailer can mean tools and materials stay secure on site rather than being trucked back each night.
We fund $25,000 to $5,000,000, funded in as little as 24 hours, with a 5-minute application and a soft credit pull. Sole proprietors can apply. Apply with a quote in hand.
For illustration only, if self-performing site grading saves $3,000 a job and you do eight such jobs a year, the saving is $24,000 against the cost of ownership. These figures are invented to show the method and are not our terms or typical outcomes. Ask how funding is secured and what the total repayment is. This page concerns commercial and trade work; residential remodeling is restricted by some funders, and we do not promise funding for it.
When the scope appears on many of your jobs, a sub's price is a large share of the line item, and you have a trained operator.
Often yes. Transport is part of the real cost of owning heavy equipment.
It can. Ask your broker how equipment and operator coverage affect your premium.
Yes, with a 5-minute application and a soft credit pull.
Our range starts at $25,000. Smaller purchases may fit a dealer plan or cash.
Three months of business bank statements and a 5-minute application. FICO 500+ considered. $25,000 to $5,000,000, funded in as little as 24 hours.
Apply Now →It takes about two minutes and it will not affect your credit score.
No obligation • No impact to your credit score
