Frequently asked questions.

Browse listings by category and ZIP, pick a machine, choose your dates, and request to book. The owner approves your request and sends you the rental agreement to sign. After that you arrange pickup or delivery directly with the owner.

Not always. Each owner sets who can rent their machine. The three options are Any responsible adult, Experienced operator, or Verified contractor only. The listing tells you which applies before you request.

That's the owner's call. Some owners want to see prior operating hours, references, or a quick conversation. If you're not sure you qualify, ask the owner before requesting. We don't certify operator qualifications.

You aren't charged. Owners can decline for any reason: dates don't work, machine is already booked, renter requirements don't match. You can request another machine or different dates.

When you request a booking, you authorize a card on file through Stripe. You're not charged yet. After the rental is confirmed complete, the card is charged for the rental amount plus a 10% service fee, and the owner is paid out directly.

Some owners offer delivery, others are pickup only. The listing tells you. If delivery is offered, the owner sets the radius and the fee. We don't operate a delivery network ourselves.

Contact the owner immediately. Mechanical issues are between you and the owner per your rental agreement. We are not a party to that agreement and we don't repair equipment.

Damage is governed by the rental agreement you signed with the owner. The owner may file a damage claim against the card on file. The renter has a 72-hour window to dispute. If the dispute can't be resolved between the two parties, idle iron may hold funds, but we don't unilaterally decide who's at fault.

Cancellation terms are set by the owner in the rental agreement. Before the owner approves your request, you can withdraw at no cost. After approval and signing, cancellation rules from the agreement apply.

idle iron does not provide insurance for rentals, jobsites, or operators. Some owners carry coverage on their own equipment. You may want to consider your own short-term liability or jobsite insurance, depending on the work and the value of the machine.

Sign in, click List your equipment, and fill out the form: photos, make and model, hours, daily and weekly rates, ZIP, and who can rent it. You can save drafts and publish whenever you're ready.

No. No subscription, no setup fee, no listing fee. idle iron only earns when you do. The 10% service fee is deducted from each confirmed booking before payout.

Payouts go to your bank through Stripe Connect. You'll connect your bank during onboarding before your first listing goes live. Funds release after the rental is confirmed complete.

10% of each booking subtotal, deducted before payout. There's no monthly fee, no listing fee, no per-message fee. We only get paid when you do.

No. You decide per listing. You can offer pickup only, or offer delivery within a radius for a fee. Renters see what you offer before they request.

Yes. Each listing has a renter-requirement setting: any responsible adult, experienced operator, or verified contractor only. You can also vet a specific renter in conversation before approving.

Document the damage with photos and file a damage claim within 14 days of return. The renter has 72 hours to dispute. If the claim isn't disputed, the card on file is charged. If it is, idle iron holds funds while the parties resolve it.

The rental agreement governs liability between you and the renter. We facilitate the charge but we don't mediate fault.

Between you and the renter, per your rental agreement. idle iron is not a party. You should make sure your rental agreement clearly addresses operator liability, third-party damage, and what happens if the renter injures themselves or someone else on the job.

No. You can bring your own. The template we provide is a starting point that covers the basics: identification, machine condition, rates, late returns, damage, operator requirements, and dispute steps. Have a lawyer review it before you rely on it for serious money.

Yes. From My listings in your account, you can publish, pause, or delete any listing at any time. Pausing keeps the listing but hides it from search; deleting is permanent.