EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our reports relating to the respective financial statements which appear in such Prospectus. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DATE -------------------- ---- National Equipment Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries....... April 1, 1998 Aerial Platforms, Inc.................................... November 4, 1997 Lone Star Rentals, Inc................................... November 4, 1997 BAT Rentals, Inc......................................... November 4, 1997 Sprintank and Sprintank Mobile Storage (divisions of Sprint Industrial Services, Inc.)......... November 4, 1997 MST Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Equipco Rental and Sales..... November 4, 1997 Work Safe Supply Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries.......... March 4, 1998 Genpower Pump & Equipment, Inc........................... March 3, 1998 Albany Ladder Company, Inc. ............................. September 3, 1998 R & R Rentals, Inc. ..................................... September 3, 1998 We also consent to the application of the National Equipment Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries report to the Financial Statement Schedules for the period from inception (June 4, 1996) through December 31, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1997 listed under Item 21(b) of this Registration Statement when such schedules are read in conjunction with the financial statements referred to in our report. The audits referred to in such report also included these schedules. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts." /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Chicago, Illinois September 8, 1998