Renting beats buying for any tool you'll use once or twice. A drum floor sander that costs $900 to buy rents for $80–$120 a day. A tile wet saw you'll use for one bathroom project rents for $60–$90. These savings add up fast, and rental shops handle the maintenance, blade sharpening, and storage headaches. The GTA has good coverage of tool rental options — from convenient big-box store rental desks to specialty rental companies with broader equipment lists.
For a deeper look at what tools are worth owning, see our DIY reno tools every GTA homeowner should own. For power tool buying comparisons, see our guides to best cordless drills for DIY homeowners and best miter saws for deck building.
2026 GTA Tool Rental Rates (Per Day)
| Tool | Per Day (CAD) | Half-Day (~65%) |
|---|---|---|
| Miter saw (compound) | $40–$65 | $26–$42 |
| Tile saw (wet saw) | $60–$90 | $39–$59 |
| Floor sander (drum) | $80–$120 | $52–$78 |
| Floor sander (orbital/random) | $60–$90 | $39–$59 |
| Carpet knee kicker + stretcher set | $50–$80 | $33–$52 |
| Pressure washer (gas) | $80–$120 | $52–$78 |
| Pressure washer (electric) | $50–$70 | $33–$46 |
| Concrete mixer | $70–$110 | $46–$72 |
| Post hole auger (gas) | $80–$120 | $52–$78 |
| Trailer hitch rental | $30–$50 | $20–$33 |
| Deposit (varies by tool) | $50–$300 | — |
Half-day rentals are typically available at approximately 65% of the full-day rate — useful if your project is small enough to finish in 4 hours. Ask about half-day rates when booking; not all shops advertise this option prominently.
Big-Box Tool Rental: Home Depot and RONA
For most GTA homeowners, Home Depot Tool Rental is the most convenient starting point. Tool rental desks are located inside many (not all) GTA Home Depot locations. The equipment list covers the most common DIY renovation tools: miter saws, pressure washers, tile saws, floor sanders, concrete mixers, and carpet stretcher sets. The main advantage is convenience — you can pick up materials and rent the tool in one stop. The main limitation is equipment variety: specialty tools like post hole augers, boom lifts, and concrete grinders are more reliably found at dedicated rental companies.
🏬 Home Depot Tool Rental
- Located inside many GTA Home Depot stores (not all — call ahead)
- Good for: tile saws, floor sanders, pressure washers, miter saws, trailers
- Convenient: pick up rental and materials in one trip
- Online reservations at homedepot.ca
- Pricing tends to run slightly above specialty rental shops
- Best for: common tools when you need same-week availability
🔑 RONA Pro Rental
- Available at select RONA locations across the GTA
- Good for: power tools, trailers, basic equipment
- Similar convenience model to Home Depot rental
- Smaller GTA footprint than Home Depot rental
- Worth checking for competitive pricing on trailers and compressors
- Call your local store to confirm rental availability
Specialty Rental Companies: Better Selection for Complex Projects
For specialty equipment — drum floor sanders, post hole augers, concrete tools, boom lifts, large compressors — the dedicated rental chains have broader inventory and more experienced staff. Three names cover most GTA needs:
🏗️ Sunbelt Rentals
- Multiple GTA locations (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham)
- Largest equipment selection in the GTA rental market
- Covers everything from floor tools to aerial lifts and heavy equipment
- More expensive than local independents, but reliable availability
- Online catalogue and booking at sunbeltrentals.ca
- Best for: large or complex projects, commercial-grade equipment
🔧 Stephenson's Rental / A1 Rentals
- Established Ontario-based rental companies with multiple GTA locations
- Strong on floor equipment: drum sanders, edgers, buffers
- Good carpet and flooring tool selection (knee kicker + power stretcher sets)
- Competitive rates vs. big-box rental on most common tools
- Local staff with solid trade knowledge — useful for first-time renters
- Best for: flooring tools, post hole augers, concrete tools
💡 Book Specialty Tools 3–5 Days Ahead in Peak Season
Spring and summer (May through September) is peak renovation season in the GTA. Drum floor sanders and tile saws at both big-box and specialty rental shops are frequently booked through entire weekends. If you're planning a flooring project for a May–September weekend, call or book online 3–5 days in advance to confirm availability. Weekday rentals are generally available with 1–2 days notice year-round. Weekends in October through April are almost always available same-week.
How to Rent a Tool in the GTA: Step-by-Step
Identify Exactly Which Tools You Need
Before calling any rental shop, write down the specific tools your project requires. For a hardwood floor refinishing project, that's typically: drum sander, edge sander, buffer, and hand scraper. For a tile bathroom, you need: tile wet saw, tile nipper or angle grinder with diamond blade, and possibly a grout saw. Knowing what you need prevents arriving at the shop and discovering you forgot to rent the edge sander that you need to finish the floor borders after the drum sander finishes the field. Rental shops can help advise — but you'll get better advice if you describe the complete project rather than just asking for "a floor sander."
Check Home Depot Rental First for Availability
For common tools — miter saw, tile saw, pressure washer — check Home Depot Tool Rental online or by phone first. If they have it, the convenience of combining your materials purchase with the tool rental is real. If the tool is not available at your nearest HD location, or it's a specialty tool HD doesn't carry, move to step 3.
Call a Specialty Rental Shop for Uncommon Tools
For post hole augers, drum floor sanders, boom lifts, concrete mixers, carpet stretcher sets, and concrete grinders, call Sunbelt Rentals or Stephenson's Rental directly. Describe your project (not just the tool) so they can confirm you're renting the right piece of equipment. A 4-inch post hole auger works for deck footings in soft GTA soil but will bog down in clay-heavy ground — a specialist will help you size the equipment correctly and may recommend adding a breaker bar or larger head.
Book in Advance During Peak Season (May–September)
If your project is scheduled for a weekend between May and September, book the tool rental before finalizing your project date. Finding out the drum sander is booked all weekend on Thursday is a project-stopping problem. Booking in advance is free at most shops — you can cancel without penalty with 24–48 hours notice at most GTA rental locations. Confirm the cancellation policy when booking.
Inspect the Tool Before Leaving the Shop
Before driving away, inspect the tool with the rental staff present. Check for: existing damage (cracks, bent parts, missing guards), that the blade or drum is in good condition and appropriate for your material, that all safety guards are in place, and that the tool runs correctly. Have any existing damage noted on the rental agreement in writing before you sign. Return the tool in the same condition — cleaned of debris and sawdust — or you'll face a cleaning fee (typically $20–$50). Bring ID and a credit card for the deposit.
Return on Time, Clean
Late returns typically incur a full additional day charge at most GTA rental shops — even if you're a few hours late. Plan your project schedule so you can return the tool by the shop's closing time on the last day of your rental. Return the tool blown clean of sawdust, with any accessories (blade, sanding belts, nozzles) included. Clean return means full deposit refund, which appears on your credit card within 1–3 business days.
⚠️ Cleaning Fees and Damage Charges Are Real
GTA rental shops will charge $20–$75 for tools returned dirty with sawdust or construction debris packed into vents and moving parts. Damage charges for bent blades, cracked guards, or damaged motors can run into hundreds of dollars. Compressed air before return is your friend — bring a can or ask the shop if they have an air line. Return cleaning takes 10 minutes and saves your full deposit. Never return a blade-equipped tool (miter saw, tile saw) with a damaged blade without disclosing it — replacement blade charges are $30–$80 and are non-negotiable if discovered by the shop.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tool Rental GTA
❓ Is it better to rent or buy power tools?
Rent specialty tools you'll use once or twice (drum sander, tile saw, post hole auger, carpet stretcher). Buy the tools you'll use repeatedly: cordless drill, circular saw, oscillating multi-tool. The break-even point: if you'd use the tool more than 4–5 times over 2–3 years, buying is usually cheaper. For most specialty tools, rent.
❓ Do rental tools come with blades and bits?
Usually yes for standard use — but always ask specifically when booking. Drum sanders include sandpaper at multiple grits. Tile saws include a standard diamond blade. Miter saws include a standard blade. Ask if the included blade is right for your specific material (hardwood, ceramic, porcelain) before assuming it's appropriate.
❓ How do I reserve a tool at Home Depot GTA?
Online at homedepot.ca (Tool Rental section) or by calling the Tool Rental desk at your specific store. Confirm the store has a rental desk before visiting — not all GTA locations do. For weekend rentals in peak season, book 3–5 days in advance.
❓ Are deposits refundable?
Yes — fully refundable when the tool is returned on time, clean, and undamaged. Deposits are $50–$300 depending on the tool. Credit card refunds typically appear within 1–3 business days. Document any existing damage before leaving the shop — a photo on your phone and a note on the rental agreement protects your full deposit.
❓ What tools are worth buying vs. renting?
Buy: cordless drill/driver, circular saw, oscillating multi-tool, stud finder, 4-ft level, tape measure, hammer, utility knife, pry bar, caulk gun. Rent: drum floor sander, tile wet saw, post hole auger, concrete mixer, carpet knee kicker + stretcher set, pressure washer (unless you use it weekly). See our full breakdown at DIY reno tools every GTA homeowner should own.