How many totes do I need to start?

Most tote rental businesses start with 100–300 totes — enough for a few overlapping jobs plus wash time. Add more when you are selling out, not on day one. ToteHQ tracks clean, out on a job, or already promised so you know when to buy more.

How should I price tote rentals?

Publish named packages (apartment or house × 1 or 2 weeks + delivery). Extensions are the extra week, not a new text quote. ToteHQ shows the customer the same price you set.

Do I need a website to start?

You can start on referrals. You need a site when you want bookings after hours. ToteHQ is that site plus the work board.

Do I need SMS or a gift portal to start?

No. Website checkout is in Core. Text messages are not included. Partners (realtors ask to join) is in Core. Gift codes and a gift page are not included. You do not need to scan each tote.

When should I leave a spreadsheet?

A sheet is fine for one job. When a second job overlaps or someone needs more time, the sheet gets messy. That is when you want software — and Core is built for that moment.

How to start

How to start a tote rental business

Buy a small stack of totes. Publish packages on your own site. Take a paid booking. ToteHQ Pro runs delivery, pickup, and inventory so you are not quoting from a spreadsheet.

Apply for early access

Takes about 2 minutes · No credit card

See how it works

How it works

You deliver reusable totes. They pack for a set number of weeks. You pick up and wash. The same totes go out again. ToteHQ is the site they book on and the board you run the work from.

Start in five steps

1Get a starter stack
Start with 100–300 totes. That covers a few overlapping jobs and cleaning. Add inventory when you are selling out — not on day one.
2Name 3–4 packages
Publish named packages (apartment / house × 1 or 2 weeks + delivery). Extensions are the extra week, not a new text quote. ToteHQ shows the same price the customer sees.
3Publish your site
Your name, your prices, live. One name.totehqpro.com or one domain you own, up to 20 city pages. ZIP check and checkout are included. You do not have to stitch Squarespace, Stripe, and a sheet.
4Take the first paid booking
ToteHQ marks those totes as taken when the card is charged, so two jobs cannot take the same stack.
5Run delivery and pickup from the order
Every job is drop-off, a rental window, and pickup. ToteHQ keeps dates, address, and clean vs out on the order so you do not overbook.

When the sheet breaks

A sheet is fine for one job. The second overlap or extension is when it lies — “are they ready?” lives in a text thread. ToteHQ holds stock and the job in one record. That is when you want software, and Core is built for that moment.

FAQ

How does a tote rental business work?: You deliver reusable totes. They pack for a set number of weeks. You pick up and wash. The same totes go out again. ToteHQ is the site they book on and the board you run the work from.
How many totes do I need to start?: Most tote rental businesses start with 100–300 totes — enough for a few overlapping jobs plus wash time. Add more when you are selling out, not on day one. ToteHQ tracks clean, out on a job, or already promised so you know when to buy more.
How should I price tote rentals?: Publish named packages (apartment or house × 1 or 2 weeks + delivery). Extensions are the extra week, not a new text quote. ToteHQ shows the customer the same price you set.
Do I need a website to start?: You can start on referrals. You need a site when you want bookings after hours. ToteHQ is that site plus the work board.
Do I need SMS or a gift portal to start?: No. Website checkout is in Core. Text messages are not included. Partners (realtors ask to join) is in Core. Gift codes and a gift page are not included. You do not need to scan each tote.
When should I leave a spreadsheet?: A sheet is fine for one job. When a second job overlaps or someone needs more time, the sheet gets messy. That is when you want software — and Core is built for that moment.