California Wildfires: BigRentz CEO Scott Cannon on the role of rental in rebuilding Los Angeles

With entire neighbourhoods burned to the ground and dozens of people killed, the Southern Californian wildfires which swept across parts of LA last month, left a trail of devastation in their wake.

Although the clean up operation has started, it remains to be seen exactly how long it will take to rebuild the parts of the city that were hit the hardest.

In response to the wildfires, a coalition of construction and tech companies have launched ReconstructLA, an initiative designed to streamline the rebuilding process and provide direct support to contractors, builders, and homeowners navigating recovery efforts.

Launched by construction permit platform PermitFlow, ReconstructLA aims to ease the permitting and rebuilding process for buildings damaged by the fires by providing free or discounted advice on navigating the permitting process and ensuring that these projects get priority when renting specialist construction equipment.

Other stakeholders in the initative include AIA Contract Documents, BigRentz, BlueBeam, Buildxact, The Contractor Consultants and Miter.

Equipment rental and procurement firm BigRentz, is also pledging to donate 10% of proceeds from projects originating through the ReconstructLA program to international homelessness charity Habitat for Humanity.

IRN caught up with BigRentz CEO Scott Cannon to find out the role rental companies play in reconstruction work.

Scott Cannon, CEO of BigRentz

IRN: How is supporting builders working on wildfire reconstruction efforts?

SC: We understand that every recovery effort is unique, so our goal is to provide responsive, hands-on support that helps contractors navigate the rental process smoothly during a critical time.

BigRentz is committed to ensuring that builders and contractors working on wildfire recovery efforts have the support they need to access critical equipment efficiently. Through ReconstructLA, we are providing builders and contractors with access to a specialised support team that assists with equipment sourcing, logistics and coordination to minimise downtime. We offer a priority service for reconstruction projects and expediting requests related to wildfire rebuilding to ensure that critical equipment is delivered quickly to job sites. Our team is working closely with industry pros to help anticipate equipment needs based on project timelines and site conditions, ensuring the right machinery is available when and where it’s needed.

IRN: What role does equipment rental play in disaster recovery?

SC: In disaster response, time is of the essence. After a disaster, the immediate demand for equipment spikes as rebuilding efforts begin. Renting equipment means reconstruction teams can to get to work quickly without financial or logistical delays.

Equipment rental plays a crucial role in disaster recovery due to its flexibility, scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Renting equipment allows contractors and municipalities to quickly scale up their operations without the upfront capital expense of purchasing new machinery. It also makes it easier to get hold of the equipment needed. Rental companies like BigRentz have nationwide supplier networks, allowing for rapid mobilisation of equipment to affected areas. Many rebuilding projects are temporary, making short-term rentals a more economical choice than purchasing equipment. Moreover, owned equipment requires ongoing maintenance and storage, while rentals come ready for use with service support. And contractors can rent exactly what they need for different phases of rebuilding without being limited by their existing fleet.

IRN: What logistical or supply chain challenges are you facing in mobilising rental equipment for disaster recovery?

SC: Wildfire rebuilding efforts are creating sudden spikes in demand, requiring strategic allocation of resources. We also expect transportation bottlenecks as damaged infrastructure and road closures can delay equipment deliveries. Equipment availability may also be affected if manufacturers experience production slowdowns or if rental fleets are already in high use.

While challenges are inevitable in large-scale disaster response, our technology-driven approach and expansive supplier network allow us to quickly adapt and ensure that equipment reaches the areas that need it most.

To address these challenges, BigRentz leverages its nationwide rental network to source equipment from multiple suppliers. It makes use of optimised logistics planning to route equipment efficiently to affected areas. The company employs strategic partnerships with suppliers to increase access to high-demand items.

IRN: Have you seen an increase in rental demand following previous natural disasters? How does the wildfire recovery effort compare?

SC: Historically, there tends to be surges in rental demand following natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods and wildfires. Equipment rental becomes a critical resource in the aftermath of these events due to immediate needs for debris removal, site stabilisation and reconstruction.

Wildfire recovery presents unique challenges compared to other disasters. The heavy debris removal, land clearing and need for rapid infrastructure restoration make equipment like excavators, loaders and generators essential.

Additionally, California’s generally uneven terrain may require specialised equipment.

IRN: BigRentz is donating 10% of proceeds from ReconstructLA projects to Habitat for Humanity. How does this initiative align with your broader commitment to disaster recovery efforts?

SC: At BigRentz, we recognise that access to equipment is a critical part of rebuilding after natural disasters, but it’s only one piece of the equation.

We’ve long been committed to supporting recovery efforts through both direct action and partnerships with organisations that provide long-term community support.

Our collaboration with Habitat for Humanity is one that began years ago and aligns with our belief that serving displaced families is key to helping communities regain stability.

Habitat for Humanity has a proven track record of providing sustainable housing solutions in the wake of disasters, making them an ideal partner for ReconstructLA.