Reviewed by Alisa Canama, Marketing Manager
Published 27 August 2026 · Last reviewed 1 September 2026
Starting an equipment hire business involves more than buying a machine and waiting for bookings.
Owners need a recognisable brand, a website, booking and payment systems, marketing, customer processes, equipment knowledge and a plan for building local demand.
Mick considered both paths before opening Diggermate Toodyay: start independently or join an established equipment hire franchise.
After researching the options, he decided the support, brand recognition and faster route to market made Diggermate the stronger fit for his goals.
His experience is useful for prospective franchisees because it shows both sides of the model. Diggermate provides a platform and guidance, but the local owner still makes operational decisions, serves customers and chooses how to grow.
Comparing a Franchise With Starting Independently
Mick first came across Diggermate while researching excavators and equipment hire.
Rather than making a quick decision, he compared the cost and effort of starting alone with joining Diggermate.
The difference was not just the initial investment. Mick considered how quickly he could become visible, begin accepting bookings and operate with established systems behind him.
He said the additional cost of joining was not significantly higher than creating everything independently, particularly when the brand, marketing and market-entry support were considered together.
If you are comparing the same options, read Diggermate vs starting your own mini excavator hire business and the guide to Diggermate franchise costs.
Faster Entry Into the Local Market
One of Mick’s main reasons for joining was speed to market.
He did not need to begin with an unknown name and build every customer-facing system from scratch. The website, brand and central marketing gave the new Toodyay business a foundation from launch.
Mick noticed that local customers already recognised Diggermate, even though there had not previously been a Diggermate location in Toodyay.
That recognition helped make the new business feel established locally, while Mick focused on providing the service and follow-through needed to turn awareness into bookings.
You can learn more about how Diggermate’s franchise marketing support helps owners generate leads.
Guidance Without Losing Local Ownership
Some prospective franchisees worry that joining a franchise means being told how to run every part of the business.
Mick described his experience differently. He sees Diggermate’s role as advisory, with guidance available while he retains flexibility in local decisions.
That balance matters. Franchise systems work best when owners use the proven platform while still bringing their own judgement, customer service and knowledge of the territory.
The franchise relationship does not remove the responsibility of ownership. Mick still decides how to build his fleet, respond to customers and develop the Toodyay market.
Building a Fleet Around Local Demand
Mick’s early fleet included a Kubota U10, Kubota U17, compact tractor and Wacker Neuson ST11, supported by attachments such as buckets, forks and augers.
As he got to know the Toodyay market, he continued building the fleet around the types of jobs and customers he was seeing locally. At the time of the interview, a 3.5-tonne excavator was also due to arrive, taking him to five machines within roughly four months of launching.
His equipment advise is practical: start with versatile machines that suit common jobs, then pay attention to the local property mix and what customers are asking for before deciding what to add next.
In an acreage market like Toodyay, having a mix of smaller tight-access machines and larger equipment can open the business up to more types of work. Every territory is different, though, and equipment decisions should be based on local demand, finance, utilisation and professional advice rather than another owner’s experience alone.
Five Machines Within Four Months
That fleet growth also shows how quickly Mick was able to get his Diggermate business into the local market.
He chose Diggermate because he saw a faster path than starting a machinery hire business on his own, with the brand, marketing and systems already there to help him get moving.
By his fourth month, Mick had built a five-machine fleet and recorded $14,317.85 in gross booking value across 29 valid bookings.
From there, the approach remains the same: listen to the market, see which machines customers are looking for and grow the fleet where the demand supports it.
Read more about how Mick grew his Diggermate fleet and chose which machines to add next.
Gross booking value is historical booking activity before operating expenses and is not profit or owner income. Individual results vary.
What Prospective Owners Can Learn From Mick
Mick’s experience highlights several questions worth asking during due diligence:
- How much would it cost to build the brand, website, systems and marketing independently?
- How quickly could the business begin accepting and supporting bookings?
- Is there evidence of local demand for the proposed fleet?
- Does the franchise provide guidance while leaving room for local decision-making?
- Is the planned equipment package financially sustainable if utilisation builds gradually?
For a closer look at the operating platform, read how Diggermate’s paperless booking system helps franchisees save time and how training and support work for owners without prior experience.
Is an Equipment Hire Franchise Right for You?
Mick’s story may resonate if you want to enter machinery hire but do not want to build every system alone.
The model may suit someone who values an established brand, central marketing, practical guidance and a network, while still wanting responsibility for local operations and growth.
It is not a passive investment. Owners still need to respond to customers, manage equipment, understand cash flow, build local relationships and make disciplined purchasing decisions.
Explore more Diggermate franchise owner stories and review how Diggermate franchise fees work before deciding whether the model fits your goals.
Disclaimer
This article shares one franchise owner’s experience for general information only. Results vary between owners and territories. Fleet growth does not establish profitability, income or return on investment. Prospective franchisees should review Diggermate’s current disclosure document and franchise agreement and obtain independent legal, accounting, financial and business advice before investing or purchasing equipment.
