Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consist of direct obligations of financial institutions rated A or better. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts. These allowances reflect our estimate of the amount of our receivables that we will be unable to collect based on historical write-off experience. Our estimate could require change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the particular circumstances of individual customers. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our allowances. Trade receivables that have contractual maturities of one year or less are written-off when they are determined to be uncollectible based on the criteria necessary to qualify as a deduction for federal tax purposes. Write-offs of such receivables require management approval based on specified dollar thresholds. See note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further detail. Inventory Inventory consists of new equipment, contractor supplies, tools, parts, fuel and related supply items. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined, depending on the type of inventory, using either a specific identification, weighted-average or first-in, first-out method. Rental Equipment Rental equipment, which includes service and delivery vehicles, is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the equipment using the straight-line method. The range of estimated useful lives for rental equipment is two to 20 years. Rental equipment is depreciated to a salvage value of zero to 10 percent of cost. Rental equipment is depreciated whether or not it is out on rent. Costs we incur in connection with refurbishment programs that extend the life of our equipment are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the equipment. The costs incurred under these refurbishment programs were $14, $10 and $18 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in purchases of rental equipment in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Repair and maintenance costs are included in cost of revenues on our consolidated statements of income. Repair and maintenance expense (including both labor and parts) for our rental equipment was $864, $714 and $629 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The range of estimated useful lives for property and equipment is two to 39 years. Ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the remaining life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Acquisition Accounting We have made a number of acquisitions in the past and may continue to make acquisitions in the future. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Long-lived assets (principally rental equipment), goodwill and other intangible assets generally represent the largest components of our acquisitions. Rental equipment is valued utilizing either a cost, market or income approach, or a combination of certain of these methods, depending on the asset being valued and the availability of market or income data. The intangible assets that we have acquired are non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks. The estimated fair values of these intangible assets reflect various assumptions about discount rates, revenue growth rates, operating margins, terminal values, useful lives and other prospective financial information. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the net of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks are valued based on an excess earnings or income approach based on projected cash flows. Determining the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is judgmental in nature and can involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to the assets acquired, as well as the estimated life of the assets, can materially impact net income in periods subsequent to the acquisition through depreciation and amortization, and in certain instances through impairment charges, if the asset becomes impaired in the future. As discussed below, we regularly review for impairments. When we make an acquisition, we also acquire other assets and assume liabilities. These other assets and liabilities typically include, but are not limited to, parts inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other working capital items. Because of their short-term nature, the fair values of these other assets and liabilities generally approximate the book values on the acquired entities' balance sheets. Evaluation of Goodwill Impairment Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment loss may have been incurred. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including: the identification of reporting units; assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units; assignment of goodwill to reporting units; determination of the fair value of each reporting unit; and an assumption as to the form of the transaction in which the reporting unit would be acquired by a market participant (either a taxable or nontaxable transaction). We estimate the fair value of our reporting units (which are our regions) using a combination of an income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a market approach based on market price data of shares of our Company and other corporations engaged in similar businesses as well as acquisition multiples paid in recent transactions within our industry (including our own acquisitions). We believe this approach, which utilizes multiple valuation techniques, yields the most appropriate evidence of fair value. We review goodwill for impairment utilizing a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test requires a comparison of the fair value of each of our reporting units' net assets to the respective carrying value of net assets. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's net assets is less than its fair value, no indication of impairment exists and a second step is not performed. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit's net assets is higher than its fair value, there is an indication that an impairment may exist and a second step must be performed. In the second step, the impairment is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill (as if purchase accounting were performed on the testing date) with the carrying amount of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized for the excess and charged to operations. Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. As discussed below (see "New Accounting Pronouncements-Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment"), we are currently assessing whether we will early adopt accounting guidance that eliminates the second step from the goodwill impairment test when it becomes effective (for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019). In connection with our goodwill impairment test that was conducted as of October 1, 2017, we bypassed the qualitative assessment for each reporting unit and proceeded directly to the first step of the goodwill impairment test. Our goodwi ll impairment testing as of this date indicated that all of our reporting units had estimated fair values which exceeded their respective carrying amounts by at least 45 percent. In connection with our goodwill impairment test that was conducted as of October 1, 2018, we bypassed the qualitative assessment for each reporting unit and proceeded directly to the first step of the goodwill impairment test. Our goodwill impairment testing as of this date indicated that all of our reporting units, excluding our Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit, had estimated fair values which exceeded their respective carrying amounts by at least 52 percent. As discussed in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, in July 2018, we completed the acquisition of BakerCorp, which added 11 European locations to our branch network. The European locations are in our Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit. All of the assets in the Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit were acquired in the BakerCorp acquisition. The estimated fair value of our Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount by 7 percent. As all of the assets in the Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit were recorded at fair value as of the July 2018 acquisition date, we expected the percentage by which the Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value to be significantly less than the equivalent percentages determined for our other reporting units. Restructuring Charges Costs associated with exit or disposal activities, including lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs associated with restructuring, branch closings or other activities, are recognized at fair value when they are incurred. Other Intangible Assets Other intangible assets consist of non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks. The non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis over initial periods of approximately 5 years. The customer relationships are being amortized either using the sum of the years' digits method or on a straight-line basis over initial periods ranging from 5 to 15 years. The trade names and associated trademarks are being amortized using the sum of the years' digits method over initial periods of approximately 5 years. We believe that the amortization methods used reflect the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits will be consumed. Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. As part of an ongoing review of the valuation of long-lived assets, we assess the carrying value of such assets if facts and circumstances suggest they may be impaired. If this review indicates the carrying value of such an asset may not be recoverable, as determined by an undiscounted cash flow analysis over the remaining useful life, the carrying value would be reduced to its estimated fair value. Translation of Foreign Currency Assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates effective during the year. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income within stockholders’ equity. Revenue Recognition As discussed in note 3 to our consolidated financial statements, in 2018, we adopted updated FASB revenue recognition guidance ("Topic 606"). Topic 606 replaced Topic 605, which was the revenue recognition accounting standard in effect for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, we additionally recognized revenue in accordance with Topic 840, which is the lease accounting standard. The discussion below addresses our primary revenue types based on the accounting standard used to determine the accounting. Lease revenues (Topic 840) The accounting for the significant types of revenue that are accounted for under Topic 840 is discussed below. As discussed below (see "New Accounting Pronouncements-Leases"), we will adopt Topic 842, which replaces Topic 840, on January 1, 2019. We have concluded that no significant changes are expected to our revenue accounting upon adoption of Topic 842. Owned equipment rentals: Owned equipment rentals represent revenues from renting equipment that we own. We account for such rentals as operating leases. Re-rent revenue: Re-rent revenue reflects revenues from equipment that we rent from vendors and then rent to our customers. We account for such rentals as subleases. The accounting for re-rent revenue is the same as the accounting for owned equipment rentals described above. Revenues from contracts with customers (Topic 606) The accounting for the significant types of revenue that are accounted for under Topic 606 is discussed below. Delivery and pick-up: Delivery and pick-up revenue associated with renting equipment is recognized when the service is performed. Sales of rental equipment, new equipment and contractor supplies are recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer and when collectibility is reasonably assured. Service and other revenues primarily represent revenues earned from providing repair and maintenance services on our customers’ fleet (including parts sales). Service revenue is recognized as the services are performed. See note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our revenue accounting. Delivery Expense Equipment rentals include our revenues from fees we charge for equipment delivery. Delivery costs are charged to operations as incurred, and are included in cost of revenues on our consolidated statements of income. Advertising Expense We promote our business through local and national advertising in various media, including television, trade publications, branded sponsorships, yellow pages, the internet, radio and direct mail. Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. These costs may include the development costs for branded content and advertising campaigns. Advertising expense, net of the qualified advertising reimbursements discussed below, was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. We receive reimbursements for advertising that promotes a vendor’s products or services. Such reimbursements that meet the applicable criteria under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are offset against advertising costs in the period in which we recognize the incremental advertising cost. The amounts of qualified advertising reimbursements that reduced advertising expense were $41, $35 and $19 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Insurance We are insured for general liability, workers’ compensation and automobile liability, subject to deductibles or self-insured retentions per occurrence. Losses within the deductible amounts are accrued based upon the aggregate liability for reported claims incurred, as well as an estimated liability for claims incurred but not yet reported. These liabilities are not discounted. The Company is also self-insured for group medical claims but purchases “stop loss” insurance to protect itself from any one significant loss. Income Taxes We use the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to amounts considered by management to be more likely than not to be realized in future periods. The most significant positive evidence that we consider in the recognition of deferred tax assets is the expected reversal of cumulative deferred tax liabilities resulting from book versus tax depreciation of our rental equipment fleet that is well in excess of the deferred tax assets. We use a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return regarding uncertainties in income tax positions. The first step is recognition: we determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in one or more of the following: an increase in a liability for income taxes payable, a reduction of an income tax refund receivable, a reduction in a deferred tax asset or an increase in a deferred tax liability. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), which was enacted in December 2017, had a substantial impact on our income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and the year ended December 31, 2018 reflects the decreased tax rate. See note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further detail. We have historically considered the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested, and, accordingly, no taxes have been provided on such earnings. We continue to evaluate our plans for reinvestment or repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings and have not changed our previous indefinite reinvestment determination following the enactment of the Tax Act. We have not repatriated funds to the U.S. to satisfy domestic liquidity needs, nor do we anticipate the need to do so. The Tax Act requires a one-time transition tax for deemed repatriation of accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign investments. As of December 31, 2018, we have computed a transition tax amount payable of $62, of which $14 was included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet (we expect to settle the remaining payable amount by applying an overpayment of federal taxes). We regularly review our cash positions and our determination of permanent reinvestment of foreign earnings. If we determine that all or a portion of such foreign earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested, we may be subject to additional foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes, beyond the Tax Act's one-time transition tax. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates impact the calculation of the allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, reserves for claims, loss contingencies (including legal contingencies) and the fair values of financial instruments. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We maintain cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. Concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers makes up our customer base (see note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further detail). We manage credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and other monitoring procedures. Stock-Based Compensation We measure stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period. Determining the fair value of stock option awards requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, forfeiture rates and expected option life. Restricted stock awards are valued based on the fair value of the stock on the grant date and the related compensation expense is recognized over the service period. Similarly, for time-based restricted stock awards subject to graded vesting, we recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For performance-based restricted stock units ("RSUs"), compensation expense is recognized if satisfaction of the performance condition is considered probable. We recognize forfeitures of stock-based compensation as they occur. We adopted accounting guidance in 2017 that changed the cash flow presentation of excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements. For 2017 and 2018, the excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements are presented as a component of net cash provided by operating activities, while they are presented as a separate line item for 2016. New Accounting Pronouncements Leases. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance ("Topic 842") to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring (1) recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and (2) disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. Some changes to the lessor accounting guidance were made to align both of the following: (1) the lessor accounting guidance with certain changes made to the lessee accounting guidance and (2) key aspects of the lessor accounting model with revenue recognition guidance. Topic 842 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. A modified retrospective approach is required for adoption for all leases that exist at or commence after the date of initial application with an option to use certain practical expedients. We expect to use the package of practical expedients that allows us to not reassess: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. We additionally expect to use the practical expedient that allows lessees to treat the lease and non-lease components of leases as a single lease component. We will adopt this guidance at the adoption date of January 1, 2019, using the transition method that allows us to initially apply Topic 842 as of January 1, 2019 and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We do not expect to recognize a material adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. We are additionally assessing the impact of Topic 842 on our internal controls over financial reporting. As discussed in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, most of our equipment rental revenues, which accounted for 86 percent of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, were accounted for under the current lease accounting standard ("Topic 840") through December 31, 2018 and will be accounted for under Topic 842 upon adoption. We have concluded that no significant changes are expected to our revenue accounting upon adoption of Topic 842. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our revenue accounting (such discussion addresses our lease revenues). We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. We lease real estate and equipment under operating leases. We lease a significant portion of our branch locations, and also lease other premises used for purposes such as district and regional offices and service centers. Our current capital lease obligations consist primarily of vehicle and building leases. The capital leases addressed in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements are expected to be accounted for as finance leases upon adoption of Topic 842, and we do not expect any significant changes to the accounting for such leases upon adoption. Under Topic 842, operating leases result in the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use the leased asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. Under Topic 842, operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, upon adoption of Topic 842, we will use our estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets will also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease that we are reasonably certain to exercise. Lease expense under Topic 842 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, and we expect to account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component under Topic 842. The adoption of Topic 842 will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet due to the recognition of the ROU assets and lease liabilities. The adoption of Topic 842 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated income statement (as noted above, although a significant portion of our revenue will be accounted for under Topic 842 upon adoption, no significant changes to our revenue accounting are expected upon adoption) or our consolidated cash flow statement. Because of the transition method we will use to adopt Topic 842, Topic 842 will not be applied to periods prior to adoption and the adoption of Topic 842 will have no impact on our previously reported results. The future minimum lease payments for our operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are discussed in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. The undiscounted total of such payments was $707. Upon adoption of Topic 842, we expect to recognize operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities that reflect the present value of these future payments. After the adoption of Topic 842, we will first report the operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019 based on our lease portfolio as of that date. The components of our historic lease expense and the future lease payments are discussed in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. The capital leases addressed in note 14 are expected to be accounted for as finance leases upon adoption of Topic 842, and we do not expect any significant changes to the accounting for such leases upon adoption. Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that will require companies to present assets held at amortized cost and available for sale debt securities net of the amount expected to be collected. The guidance requires the measurement of expected credit losses to be based on relevant information from past events, including historical experiences, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectibility. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Different components of the guidance require modified retrospective or prospective adoption. This guidance does not apply to receivables arising from operating leases. As discussed in note 3 to our consolidated financial statements, most of our equipment rental revenue is accounted for as lease revenue (such revenue represented 79 percent of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018). We are currently assessing whether we will early adopt this guidance, and the impact on our financial statements, while limited to our non-operating lease receivables, is not currently estimable, as it will depend on market conditions and our forecast expectations upon, and following, adoption. Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance intended to simplify the subsequent accounting for goodwill acquired in a business combination. Prior guidance required utilizing a two-step process to review goodwill for impairment. A second step was required if there was an indication that an impairment may exist, and the second step required calculating the potential impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill (as if purchase accounting were performed on the testing date) with the carrying amount of the goodwill. The new guidance eliminates the second step from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and then recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value (although the loss should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit). The guidance requires prospective adoption and will be effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption of this guidance is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently assessing whether we will early adopt. The guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements. Derivatives and Hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance with the objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. The guidance is additionally intended to simplify hedge accounting, and no longer requires separate measurement and reporting of hedge ineffectiveness. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, entities must apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required prospectively. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and we expect to adopt this guidance when effective. Given our currently limited use of derivative instruments, the guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements. Guidance Adopted in 2018 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. See note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our revenue recognition accounting following our adoption in 2018 of FASB guidance addressing the principles for recognizing revenue. Statement of Cash Flows. In 2018, we retrospectively adopted guidance that was issued to reduce the diversity in the presentation of certain cash receipts and cash payments presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance addresses the following specific cash flow issues: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (5) proceeds from settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, (6) distributions received from equity method investees, (7) beneficial interests in securitization transitions and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of predominance principle. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. In 2018, we adopted guidance that requires companies to recognize the income tax effects of intra-entity sales and transfers of assets other than inventory in the period in which the transfer occurs. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. Clarifying the Definition of a Business. In 2018, we adopted guidance that was issued to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of assisting entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance is intended to make determining when a set of assets and activities is a business more consistent and cost-efficient. The future impact of this guidance will depend on the nature of our future activities, and fewer transactions may be treated as acquisitions (or disposals) of businesses after adoption. Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting. In 2018, we prospectively adopted guidance that was issued to provide clarity and reduce both the (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when changing the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. Under the updated guidance, a modification is defined as a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award, and an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following are met: 1.The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation techniques that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification. 2.The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. 3.The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The majority of our modifications relate to the acceleration of vesting conditions. The accounting for such modifications did not change under the adopted guidance, which did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts. These allowances reflect our estimate of the amount of our receivables that we will be unable to collect based on historical write-off experience. Our estimate could require change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the particular circumstances of individual customers. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our allowances. Trade receivables that have contractual maturities of one year or less are written-off when they are determined to be uncollectible based on the criteria necessary to qualify as a deduction for federal tax purposes. Write-offs of such receivables require management approval based on specified dollar thresholds. See note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further detail.

Rental equipment, which includes service and delivery vehicles, is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the equipment using the straight-line method. The range of estimated useful lives for rental equipment is two to 20 years. Rental equipment is depreciated to a salvage value of zero to 10 percent of cost. Rental equipment is depreciated whether or not it is out on rent. Costs we incur in connection with refurbishment programs that extend the life of our equipment are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the equipment. The costs incurred under these refurbishment programs were $14, $10 and $18 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in purchases of rental equipment in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Repair and maintenance costs are included in cost of revenues on our consolidated statements of income. Repair and maintenance expense (including both labor and parts) for our rental equipment was $864, $714 and $629 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. The range of estimated useful lives for property and equipment is two to 39 years. Ordinary repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the remaining life of the lease, whichever is shorter.

We have made a number of acquisitions in the past and may continue to make acquisitions in the future. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Long-lived assets (principally rental equipment), goodwill and other intangible assets generally represent the largest components of our acquisitions. Rental equipment is valued utilizing either a cost, market or income approach, or a combination of certain of these methods, depending on the asset being valued and the availability of market or income data. The intangible assets that we have acquired are non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks. The estimated fair values of these intangible assets reflect various assumptions about discount rates, revenue growth rates, operating margins, terminal values, useful lives and other prospective financial information. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the net of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks are valued based on an excess earnings or income approach based on projected cash flows.

Determining the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is judgmental in nature and can involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to the assets acquired, as well as the estimated life of the assets, can materially impact net income in periods subsequent to the acquisition through depreciation and amortization, and in certain instances through impairment charges, if the asset becomes impaired in the future. As discussed below, we regularly review for impairments.

When we make an acquisition, we also acquire other assets and assume liabilities. These other assets and liabilities typically include, but are not limited to, parts inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other working capital items. Because of their short-term nature, the fair values of these other assets and liabilities generally approximate the book values on the acquired entities' balance sheets.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment loss may have been incurred. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including: the identification of reporting units; assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units; assignment of goodwill to reporting units; determination of the fair value of each reporting unit; and an assumption as to the form of the transaction in which the reporting unit would be acquired by a market participant (either a taxable or nontaxable transaction).

We estimate the fair value of our reporting units (which are our regions) using a combination of an income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a market approach based on market price data of shares of our Company and other corporations engaged in similar businesses as well as acquisition multiples paid in recent transactions within our industry (including our own acquisitions). We believe this approach, which utilizes multiple valuation techniques, yields the most appropriate evidence of fair value. We review goodwill for impairment utilizing a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test requires a comparison of the fair value of each of our reporting units' net assets to the respective carrying value of net assets. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's net assets is less than its fair value, no indication of impairment exists and a second step is not performed. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit's net assets is higher than its fair value, there is an indication that an impairment may exist and a second step must be performed. In the second step, the impairment is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill (as if purchase accounting were performed on the testing date) with the carrying amount of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized for the excess and charged to operations.

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. As discussed below (see "New Accounting Pronouncements-Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment"), we are currently assessing whether we will early adopt accounting guidance that eliminates the second step from the goodwill impairment test when it becomes effective (for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019).

In connection with our goodwill impairment test that was conducted as of October 1, 2018, we bypassed the qualitative assessment for each reporting unit and proceeded directly to the first step of the goodwill impairment test. Our goodwill impairment testing as of this date indicated that all of our reporting units, excluding our Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit, had estimated fair values which exceeded their respective carrying amounts by at least 52 percent. As discussed in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, in July 2018, we completed the acquisition of BakerCorp, which added 11 European locations to our branch network. The European locations are in our Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit. All of the assets in the Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit were acquired in the BakerCorp acquisition. The estimated fair value of our Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount by 7 percent. As all of the assets in the Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit were recorded at fair value as of the July 2018 acquisition date, we expected the percentage by which the Fluid Solutions Europe reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value to be significantly less than the equivalent percentages determined for our other reporting units.

Other intangible assets consist of non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks. The non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis over initial periods of approximately 5 years. The customer relationships are being amortized either using the sum of the years' digits method or on a straight-line basis over initial periods ranging from 5 to 15 years. The trade names and associated trademarks are being amortized using the sum of the years' digits method over initial periods of approximately 5 years. We believe that the amortization methods used reflect the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits will be consumed.

Long-lived assets are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. As part of an ongoing review of the valuation of long-lived assets, we assess the carrying value of such assets if facts and circumstances suggest they may be impaired. If this review indicates the carrying value of such an asset may not be recoverable, as determined by an undiscounted cash flow analysis over the remaining useful life, the carrying value would be reduced to its estimated fair value.

Assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates effective during the year. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income within stockholders’ equity.

As discussed in note 3 to our consolidated financial statements, in 2018, we adopted updated FASB revenue recognition guidance ("Topic 606"). Topic 606 replaced Topic 605, which was the revenue recognition accounting standard in effect for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, we additionally recognized revenue in accordance with Topic 840, which is the lease accounting standard. The discussion below addresses our primary revenue types based on the accounting standard used to determine the accounting.

The accounting for the significant types of revenue that are accounted for under Topic 840 is discussed below. As discussed below (see "New Accounting Pronouncements-Leases"), we will adopt Topic 842, which replaces Topic 840, on January 1, 2019. We have concluded that no significant changes are expected to our revenue accounting upon adoption of Topic 842.

We promote our business through local and national advertising in various media, including television, trade publications, branded sponsorships, yellow pages, the internet, radio and direct mail. Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. These costs may include the development costs for branded content and advertising campaigns. Advertising expense, net of the qualified advertising reimbursements discussed below, was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

We receive reimbursements for advertising that promotes a vendor’s products or services. Such reimbursements that meet the applicable criteria under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) are offset against advertising costs in the period in which we recognize the incremental advertising cost. The amounts of qualified advertising reimbursements that reduced advertising expense were $41, $35 and $19 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

We are insured for general liability, workers’ compensation and automobile liability, subject to deductibles or self-insured retentions per occurrence. Losses within the deductible amounts are accrued based upon the aggregate liability for reported claims incurred, as well as an estimated liability for claims incurred but not yet reported. These liabilities are not discounted. The Company is also self-insured for group medical claims but purchases “stop loss” insurance to protect itself from any one significant loss.

We use the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to amounts considered by management to be more likely than not to be realized in future periods. The most significant positive evidence that we consider in the recognition of deferred tax assets is the expected reversal of cumulative deferred tax liabilities resulting from book versus tax depreciation of our rental equipment fleet that is well in excess of the deferred tax assets.

We use a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return regarding uncertainties in income tax positions. The first step is recognition: we determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), which was enacted in December 2017, had a substantial impact on our income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent and the year ended December 31, 2018 reflects the decreased tax rate. See note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further detail.

We have historically considered the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested, and, accordingly, no taxes have been provided on such earnings. We continue to evaluate our plans for reinvestment or repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings and have not changed our previous indefinite reinvestment determination following the enactment of the Tax Act. We have not repatriated funds to the U.S. to satisfy domestic liquidity needs, nor do we anticipate the need to do so. The Tax Act requires a one-time transition tax for deemed repatriation of accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign investments. As of December 31, 2018, we have computed a transition tax amount payable of $62, of which $14 was included in other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet (we expect to settle the remaining payable amount by applying an overpayment of federal taxes).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates impact the calculation of the allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, reserves for claims, loss contingencies (including legal contingencies) and the fair values of financial instruments. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We maintain cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. Concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers makes up our customer base (see note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for further detail). We manage credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and other monitoring procedures.

We measure stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period. Determining the fair value of stock option awards requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, forfeiture rates and expected option life. Restricted stock awards are valued based on the fair value of the stock on the grant date and the related compensation expense is recognized over the service period. Similarly, for time-based restricted stock awards subject to graded vesting, we recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For performance-based restricted stock units ("RSUs"), compensation expense is recognized if satisfaction of the performance condition is considered probable. We recognize forfeitures of stock-based compensation as they occur. We adopted accounting guidance in 2017 that changed the cash flow presentation of excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements. For 2017 and 2018, the excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements are presented as a component of net cash provided by operating activities, while they are presented as a separate line item for 2016.

Leases. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance ("Topic 842") to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring (1) recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and (2) disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. Some changes to the lessor accounting guidance were made to align both of the following: (1) the lessor accounting guidance with certain changes made to the lessee accounting guidance and (2) key aspects of the lessor accounting model with revenue recognition guidance. Topic 842 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. A modified retrospective approach is required for adoption for all leases that exist at or commence after the date of initial application with an option to use certain practical expedients. We expect to use the package of practical expedients that allows us to not reassess: (1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (2)

lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (3) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. We additionally expect to use the practical expedient that allows lessees to treat the lease and non-lease components of leases as a single lease component. We will adopt this guidance at the adoption date of January 1, 2019, using the transition method that allows us to initially apply Topic 842 as of January 1, 2019 and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We do not expect to recognize a material adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. We are additionally assessing the impact of Topic 842 on our internal controls over financial reporting.

As discussed in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, most of our equipment rental revenues, which accounted for 86 percent of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, were accounted for under the current lease accounting standard ("Topic 840") through December 31, 2018 and will be accounted for under Topic 842 upon adoption. We have concluded that no significant changes are expected to our revenue accounting upon adoption of Topic 842. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our revenue accounting (such discussion addresses our lease revenues).

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. We lease real estate and equipment under operating leases. We lease a significant portion of our branch locations, and also lease other premises used for purposes such as district and regional offices and service centers. Our current capital lease obligations consist primarily of vehicle and building leases. The capital leases addressed in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements are expected to be accounted for as finance leases upon adoption of Topic 842, and we do not expect any significant changes to the accounting for such leases upon adoption. Under Topic 842, operating leases result in the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent our right to use the leased asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. Under Topic 842, operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, upon adoption of Topic 842, we will use our estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU assets will also include any lease payments made and exclude lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease that we are reasonably certain to exercise. Lease expense under Topic 842 will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, and we expect to account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component under Topic 842.

The adoption of Topic 842 will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheet due to the recognition of the ROU assets and lease liabilities. The adoption of Topic 842 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated income statement (as noted above, although a significant portion of our revenue will be accounted for under Topic 842 upon adoption, no significant changes to our revenue accounting are expected upon adoption) or our consolidated cash flow statement. Because of the transition method we will use to adopt Topic 842, Topic 842 will not be applied to periods prior to adoption and the adoption of Topic 842 will have no impact on our previously reported results. The future minimum lease payments for our operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are discussed in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. The undiscounted total of such payments was $707. Upon adoption of Topic 842, we expect to recognize operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities that reflect the present value of these future payments. After the adoption of Topic 842, we will first report the operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019 based on our lease portfolio as of that date.

The components of our historic lease expense and the future lease payments are discussed in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. The capital leases addressed in note 14 are expected to be accounted for as finance leases upon adoption of Topic 842, and we do not expect any significant changes to the accounting for such leases upon adoption.

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that will require companies to present assets held at amortized cost and available for sale debt securities net of the amount expected to be collected. The guidance requires the measurement of expected credit losses to be based on relevant information from past events, including historical experiences, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectibility. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Different components of the guidance require modified retrospective or prospective adoption. This guidance does not apply to receivables arising from operating leases. As discussed in note 3 to our consolidated financial statements, most of our equipment rental revenue is accounted for as lease revenue (such revenue represented 79 percent of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018). We are currently assessing whether we will early adopt this guidance, and the impact on our financial statements, while limited to our non-operating lease receivables, is not currently estimable, as it will depend on market conditions and our forecast expectations upon, and following, adoption.

Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance intended to simplify the subsequent accounting for goodwill acquired in a business combination. Prior guidance required utilizing a two-step process to review goodwill for impairment. A second step was required if there was an indication that an impairment may exist, and the second step required calculating the potential impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill

(as if purchase accounting were performed on the testing date) with the carrying amount of the goodwill. The new guidance eliminates the second step from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, and then recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value (although the loss should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit). The guidance requires prospective adoption and will be effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption of this guidance is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently assessing whether we will early adopt. The guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance with the objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. The guidance is additionally intended to simplify hedge accounting, and no longer requires separate measurement and reporting of hedge ineffectiveness. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, entities must apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required prospectively. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and we expect to adopt this guidance when effective. Given our currently limited use of derivative instruments, the guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows. In 2018, we retrospectively adopted guidance that was issued to reduce the diversity in the presentation of certain cash receipts and cash payments presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance addresses the following specific cash flow issues: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (2) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (5) proceeds from settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, (6) distributions received from equity method investees, (7) beneficial interests in securitization transitions and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of predominance principle. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Clarifying the Definition of a Business. In 2018, we adopted guidance that was issued to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of assisting entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance is intended to make determining when a set of assets and activities is a business more consistent and cost-efficient. The future impact of this guidance will depend on the nature of our future activities, and fewer transactions may be treated as acquisitions (or disposals) of businesses after adoption.

Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting. In 2018, we prospectively adopted guidance that was issued to provide clarity and reduce both the (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when changing the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. Under the updated guidance, a modification is defined as a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award, and an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following are met:

1.The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation techniques that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification.