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GouacheApp

112 karma · joined March 2, 2022

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GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Totally get that — and it’s a big reason why platforms like this haven’t taken off sooner.

We’ve heard the same concern from a lot of people, and we’re working on solutions like optional insurance, ID verification, and clear guidelines to help reduce that risk for everyone involved. The goal is to make borrowing tools feel as natural and safe as borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor — but with real protections in place when it matters.

And yes — your example is exactly the kind of use case we’re building for. Tools like planers and jointers are expensive, bulky, and rarely used often enough to justify owning.

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Totally valid concern — and one we take seriously.

In a world where things can go wrong and legal issues can arise, it’s important to have safeguards. We're currently working on adding optional insurance, ID verification, and deposits to reduce the risk on both sides. The goal is to make sure there’s a clear process if something gets damaged or if someone gets hurt — without immediately resorting to legal action.

Ultimately, we want to support a trusted community, but we also know that trust needs real protections behind it, especially in a culture where liability matters.

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Really appreciate that — and totally agree.

We’re working on bringing the rental and community features to the forefront so it’s clear from the start what Patio is about. In a world flooded with AI content, we get that leading with articles can feel impersonal without context.

The goal is to build trust through people and tools first — then let the content support that experience. Thanks for the kind words and thoughtful feedback!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thanks a lot for sharing all of this! That’s a really thoughtful approach — and very aligned with how we’ve been thinking about it too.

The neighborhood-level model is especially compelling — tools within walking distance, built-in trust, and someone local acting as a tool steward or mini-hub. We’ve been exploring similar ideas, including ways to support individuals or organizations that want to take on that role.

Disrupting the traditional tool ownership model while creating new local economies is exactly the kind of long-term potential we see here. Would love to hear more about your original thinking — feel free to reach out at julien@patio.so!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Totally fair take — and you're right, tool rental isn’t new. We’re fans of tool libraries and rental shops, and we’re not trying to replace them. But many of the tool libraries we’ve spoken to are using outdated software that doesn’t really meet their needs — limited inventory visibility, clunky systems, and not much support for growing their community. That’s part of what we’re building with Patio: something more modern and community-friendly. We’re bootstrapped and based in Montreal, so all of this is really grounded in real-world DIY needs we’ve seen firsthand.
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thanks so much — really appreciate the support!

Totally agree with you. Public libraries and tool libraries are doing great work, but they often have limited inventory or older tools, and can’t always meet the variety of needs people have for DIY projects.

That’s exactly what we’re aiming to complement with Patio — by tapping into the tools already sitting in people’s garages, we can expand access, improve variety and quality, and make it easier for folks to find what they need without having to buy new.

Thanks again for the encouragement — it means a lot!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Great question — this is one of the biggest challenges in peer-to-peer rentals, and something we take seriously.

Right now, we’re working on adding features like optional insurance, deposits, and ID verification to help protect both owners and renters. The goal is to make sure there’s a clear, fair process in place when things go wrong — especially with high-value tools.

Ultimately, we want to build a platform where trust is backed by real safeguards, not just good intentions. If you’ve got ideas or want to chat more about this, feel free to reach out at julien@patio.so — always open to feedback!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Haha — we’d love to hear what patio11 thinks too!

You’re totally right: the rental side definitely benefits from network effects, which is why we’re building more than just a rental marketplace. Alongside that, we’ve launched DIY interactive duolingo style quizzes, project ideas, and launching material surplus and tools marketplace — so there’s real value for users even before there’s a large local inventory.

As for users, we’re still early but growing steadily — especially in communities wanting to connect around shared DIY interests. Appreciate the encouragement!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thank you, it's really appreciated, we will update the desktop version shortly!
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thank you — really appreciate that, and you nailed one of the biggest problems we’re trying to solve. Those “budget” DIY videos often skip over the fact that the creator is using thousands of dollars' worth of tools most people don’t have — we want to close that gap and make DIY more accessible for everyone.

As for fraud and theft, that’s a key challenge as we grow. Right now, we focus on building trust through verified profiles, user reviews, and local connections. But we’re also actively working on adding insurance options, deposits, and ID verification to better protect tool owners.

We believe people should feel safe sharing their tools — and we’re designing the platform so that responsibility doesn’t fall solely on the host. More to come on that soon!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thanks so much — really appreciate the thoughtful perspective!

Totally agree that in rural areas, direct relationships with neighbors are often the go-to. One thing we hope Patio can help with even in those settings is simply making it easier to know who has what — sometimes your neighbor might have the exact tool you need, but you'd never know to ask. By listing tools, even if it's just to lend or rent for free, it helps avoid unnecessary purchases for tools you’ll only use once or twice.

And like you said, the tutorials and DIY “recipes” are useful anywhere — that’s a big part of our mission too. Thanks again for the kind words and support!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thanks a ton for the feedback — that's super helpful.

You're absolutely right about the nav getting lost — we’re working on improving the contrast and layout so it’s clear from the start that Patio is more than just content aggregation.

In addition to tutorials and articles, Patio includes a marketplace where people can rent tools and share or sell surplus building materials. There’s also a quiz section designed like Duolingo, where users can learn DIY skills interactively — from electrical and plumbing to woodworking and more.

Were you on mobile or desktop when you noticed the issue? That’ll really help us improve the experience. Thanks again for the great insight!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Great questions — and ones we hear often.

Patio is a community-driven platform that helps people rent and share tools locally while also discovering DIY tutorials and resources. We focus on trust with verified profiles, user reviews, and local connections.

We're also working on adding insurance options to better protect tool owners and renters, along with features like ID verification and deposits to reduce risk.

If you’re interested or have ideas, feel free to reach out at julien@patio.so — would love to chat!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Totally fair point — and really appreciate the honest feedback.

Our goal is to build a platform where people can learn, educate, rent, and share tools within a community that loves DIY. The “Explore” section is part of our effort to surface great tutorials and ideas, but we hear you — the rental experience should be front and center.

We’re working on making that more clear from the start. Thanks again for the insight — it really helps us improve.

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
That’s awesome — $35/quarter for full access is such a great deal, and tool libraries like yours are doing amazing work for local communities!

Unfortunately, not every city or neighborhood has a tool library yet. That’s one of the reasons we built Patio — to make tools more accessible wherever you are. We’re also working with tool libraries to feature their listings and provide tools to help manage inventory, grow memberships, and reach more people.

If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out at julien@patio.so — would love to chat!

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thanks so much for the thoughtful feedback! You're absolutely right — connecting rentals directly to DIY tutorials is exactly the vision. We want to turn every tutorial into a “DIY kit,” where you can learn how to do something and rent the exact tools needed nearby.

We’re also going a step further with our quiz section — think of it as Duolingo for home improvement. Instead of just watching tutorials, you learn step-by-step through interactive quizzes across topics like plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and more. It’s early days, but the goal is to make learning and doing as seamless as possible.

https://patio.so/quiz

GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
This is a great feedback. Right now, you can select between 2 and 10 categories but we will add this possibility as soon as possible!
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Really appreciate you sharing that example—it perfectly captures the kind of use case we’re building Patio for. DIY is awesome, but yeah, not every tool needs to be owned, stored, or bought new. Renting something like a post hole digger from a neighbor for a few bucks just makes sense. That’s exactly the gap we’re trying to fill—making borrowing as easy as buying, and helping people save space, money, and waste. Thanks again for the encouragement!
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Great question! Patio isn't a traditional tool library—it’s a peer-to-peer platform where anyone can list and rent tools directly from people nearby, similar way to Airbnb. So instead of being run by an organization, it’s the community itself that powers it. We're just making it easy, safe, and fast to share tools locally.
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste
Thanks a lot for the feedback—really appreciate it! Totally agree that ease of listing is key. We're actively working on making the process super simple with AI-powered automation, and also improving how people search and discover listings. Love the idea of integrating store rentals too—that's on our radar!
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Chairleader.xyz – No-code Web3 eCommerce platform
Glad you like the details!
GouacheApp··on [dead]
The most advanced no-code web3 eCommerce platform ever built. Crypto payments, NFT memberships, token gating, loyalty programs, and much more
GouacheApp··on [dead]
We are building the next-generation e-commerce platform offering online retailers a suite of web3 services including payments, marketing, and engagement tools built on top of Solana. Get early access to Chairleader before we launch on Product Hunt.
GouacheApp··on Show HN: Community-led Web3 developer resources platform
Hey there With web3-tools, you can browse resources by categories, make keyword searches, add new resources and vote for your favorite resources around web3 developer tools. I hope you’ll like it and feel free to add any resources that are not yet available and/or discuss possible improvements!
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