Portable Generator Leasing (Canada)

Portable Generator Leasing (Canada)
Written by
Alec Whitten
Published on
November 5, 2025

From construction sites and events to farms and clinics, portable power keeps work moving—and revenue flowing. But buying a towable diesel genset (plus cabling, transfer switches, and delivery) can starve working capital right when you need it most. Leasing through private lenders aligns payments with cash inflows, bundles soft costs (install, rigging, training), and moves faster than bank boxes. As both a financing partner and, where inventory fits, a seller, Mehmi Financial Group can quote, stage vendor payouts, and finance in one timeline. Feel free to contact our credit analysts for tailored guidance.

What you can lease in a generator package

  • Towable generators: 10–500 kVA diesel units, Tier 4 final, sound-attenuated enclosures
  • Paralleling & distribution: Load banks, distribution panels, spider boxes, cabling, connectors
  • Transfer & standby: ATS/transfer switches, quick-connect camlocks, temporary-to-permanent tie-ins
  • Monitoring & safety: Telematics, fuel monitoring, spill kits, fire suppression where required
  • Soft costs: Delivery, craning/rigging, commissioning, fuel tank rentals, training—often eligible to bundle in the same lease

Explore options: Financing & LeasingRefinancing & Sale-LeasebackEquipment Line of Credit. Estimate payments with our calculator.

Why private lenders for portable power

  • Cash-flow lens: Approvals focus on bank-statement coverage and work visibility, not just last year’s net income.
  • Project staging: Deposit → delivery → install → acceptance so electricians and vendors are paid on time.
  • Payment shaping: Step-up during ramp or seasonal/skip for industries with busy seasons.
  • Refurb flexibility: Late-model refurbished sets with documented hours and service history are financeable.

Lease structures (plain English)

StructureBest ForMonthly ImpactEnd-of-Term
FMV (Operating)Fleets that refresh every 3–5 yearsLowest paymentReturn, renew, or buy at fair value
$10 / Fixed ResidualUnits you’ll keep long-termModerateTitle transfers for nominal/fixed amount
Sale-LeasebackUnlock cash from owned setsImmediate liquidityReacquire at residual
Progress-FundingMulti-unit orders + site tie-insInterest on draws; converts at acceptanceTerm starts after commissioning

Not sure which fits? We’ll price options side-by-side with the calculator.

What private underwriters actually look for (beyond the score)

  • Asset quality & resale: OEM, kVA rating, hours (if used), service records, sound attenuation, trailer condition
  • Work visibility: Contracts, PO pipeline, events calendar, site schedules; rental subcontracts if you re-rent
  • Cash-flow coverage: 6–12 months of bank statements showing room for the new payment
  • Electrical scope: Licensed installer, ATS specs, one-line diagram, commissioning plan
  • Risk & security: Insurance binder naming lender as loss payee; telematics/fuel monitoring; PPSA hygiene

If receivables lag (30–60 days), layer Invoice Factoring or a revolving buffer via Equipment Line of Credit.

Typical terms & pricing levers

LeverTypical RangeEffect
Term24–72 months (84 on larger fleets)Longer = lower monthly
Down / First & Last0–15% or 1–2 paymentsImproves approval & pricing
Payment ShapeStep-up / seasonal / levelMatch cash-in timing
StructureFMV / $10 residual / Sale-leasebackRefresh vs. ownership
Soft-Cost BundlingInstall, rigging, ATS, trainingAvoids mid-project cash crunch

After 12–18 clean payments, we can revisit rate/term via Refinancing.

Broker fast-approval path: 7 steps

  1. Lock the BOM: kVA, trailer spec, distribution, ATS, cabling, telematics, soft costs.
  2. Pick structure: FMV for fleet rotation; fixed-residual for keepers; sale-leaseback if you need liquidity.
  3. Package the file: Application/IDs/void cheque, incorporation/ownership, last filed + YTD interims, 6–12 months bank statements.
  4. Prove the work: Contracts/POs, event schedules, site plan, installer quote.
  5. Milestone funding: Deposit → delivery → install → acceptance certificate.
  6. Shape payments: Step-up or seasonal to mirror billings.
  7. Month 12–18 review: Reprice if performance is clean.

Case study: Event contractor adds two towables (Ontario)

Situation. Event services firm needed 2 × 125 kVA towable sets with distro and cabling—$178,000 all-in. Bank stalled due to a light prior year.
Structure. 60-month FMV with progress-funding (units → ATS/cabling → commissioning) and 3-month step-up tied to festival season.
Outcome. Approved quickly; vendor paid on schedule; after 14 on-time payments we refinanced, trimming monthly ~8%.

Approval checklist (credit-analyst view)

  • Application, IDs, void cheque
  • Corporate docs (registration, ownership)
  • 6–12 months bank statements + last filed year & YTD interims
  • Vendor quotes with serials/specs, trailer details, warranty
  • Installer quote, one-line/ATS spec, commissioning plan
  • Insurance binder naming lender as loss payee

Short on paperwork? Send what you have—we’ll stage the rest so underwriting doesn’t stall. For a quick payment preview, try the calculator.

FAQs

Can I include ATS, cabling, and commissioning in the same lease?
Often yes—soft-cost bundling is common with private lenders.

Do lenders finance refurbished generators?
Often—with documented hours, service history, and warranty/inspection.

Seasonal or step-up payments available?
Yes. We align installments to your busiest months or project calendar.

Can payments drop later?
Often. After 12–18 clean payments, we can explore refinancing to reduce rate or extend term.

Can I unlock cash from owned units?
Yes—use a sale-leaseback to raise working capital while keeping sets in service: Refinancing & Sale-Leaseback.

If you want a practical comparison of FMV vs. $10 buyout—or help deciding what to bundle now vs. phase later—feel free to contact our credit analysts.
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