Objective
HQ Rent (formerly Big Rentals) is an all-in-one rental management software platform founded by #pablo-fernandez that helps equipment rental businesses launch, manage, and grow their operations.
## Overview
HQ Rent provides comprehensive software for equipment rental companies, specializing in trailers, dumpsters, construction equipment, and powersports fleets. The platform modernizes the rental industry by replacing fragmented tools with an integrated solution for online booking, payments, fleet management, and customer acquisition.
## Funding
In 2024, Big Rentals (now HQ Rent) raised $2.8 million in seed funding to modernize equipment rentals for small businesses, achieving live operations in over 200 cities.
## Core Features
### Online Booking & Scheduling
- **24/7 Online Checkout** — Full booking flow with deposits, coupon codes, and partial payments
- **Smart Scheduling** — Drag-and-drop calendar, team visibility, automatic blackout date enforcement
- **Rental Logic** — Daily/weekly pricing rules, delivery windows, no double-booking
### Payments & Financial Management
- **Seamless Payments** — Secure online payment acceptance with deposit holds
- **Automated Deposits** — Holds, partials, and auto-capture on return
- **Quotes & Invoices** — Proposal generation and approval tracking
### Fleet Operations
- **Fleet Management** — Real-time availability and status tracking
- **Fleet Health** — Maintenance schedules, service intervals, parts tracking
- **GPS Integration** — Real-time location, utilization maps, route optimization
### Customer Management
- **CRM** — Renter information storage, history tracking, follow-up management
- **Digital Contracts** — Mobile-first e-signatures, timestamped agreements
- **Document Automation** — Driver's licenses, insurance, contracts handled upfront
- **Review Collection** — Automated post-rental review requests
### Communication Tools
- **Website Text Chat** — Chat-to-text integration via OpenPhone
- **OpenPhone Integration** — Professional SMS, contact syncing, business phone numbers
- **Automated Emails** — Contracts, updates, return alerts, payment notices
### Marketing & Lead Generation
- **Built-in Marketplace** — Automatic listing publication reaching 10,000+ monthly renters
- **SEO Pages** — Local search optimization
- **Demand Engine** — Integrated tools to drive bookings from day one
## Setup Options
HQ Rent offers three implementation paths:
1. **Embed on Existing Website** — Integrate booking system into current site
2. **Checkout Web Store** — Branded subdomain (yourbrand.hqrent.com) ready in under 3 days
3. **Custom Website** — Professional custom site built for conversion
## Pricing
**Essentials** — $129/month (1 User, 1 Location)
- Basic booking system
- Fleet management
- Payment processing
- Email support
**Growth** — $149/month (2 Users, 1 Location + Website) — Most Popular
- Everything in Essentials
- Custom website included
- Advanced booking system
- Priority support
**Scale** — $399/month (Unlimited + Website)
- Everything in Growth
- Unlimited users & locations
- Advanced analytics
- 24/7 priority support
## Market Position
HQ Rent differentiates itself from generic software by being "built for rentals, by real operators." The platform emphasizes rental-specific features over one-size-fits-all solutions, with particular focus on:
- Equipment rental logic (vs. basic scheduling)
- Marketplace exposure (vs. no demand engine)
- White-glove setup (vs. self-service)
- Document automation (vs. manual processes)
## Traction
- 350+ rental businesses using the platform
- 4.9/5 rating
- "Live in <3 days" setup time
- 10-20% booking increase from marketplace exposure
## Industries Served
- Trailer rentals (dump, gooseneck, utility, enclosed, car hauler)
- Equipment rentals (telehandlers, lifts, compact equipment)
- Dumpster/container rentals
- Powersports fleets
- Dealer lots
## Website
https://hqrent.com/
