Hiring kit for a party saves you buying things you will use once and then have to store in the loft for ten years. But hire companies are not all the same, and a bit of checking before you pay a deposit saves a lot of stress on the day.
We hire bouncy castles and inflatables, so that is what most of this is about. The same questions work for marquees, tables, chairs or anything else you rent for a party.
Work out what you actually need
Start with the guests, not the catalogue. How many people, what ages, and where is it happening? A garden party for twenty children needs very different kit from a village hall do with grandparents and toddlers.
- Somewhere to sit. Adults will stand for a while, then they want a chair. Count your own garden chairs before hiring more.
- Something for the children to do. This is the bit that keeps the party running while you serve food. A bouncy castle does that job on its own for most of the day.
- Shelter. In Somerset, a gazebo or a plan B for rain is never wasted.
- Power. Anything that plugs in needs a socket nearby. For our castles that means a normal socket within 25 metres of the setup spot, with no extension leads or adaptors.
Measure before you book
The most common mistake with any hire is kit that does not fit. Measure the space, then check it against the sizes on the product page. For inflatables, leave clear space around the castle too, not just the castle itself.
Our guide to what size bouncy castle fits your garden has the real measurements for every castle we hire. If your garden is on the small side, the Funky Fun Time easy fit castle is 10ft x 8ft and made for exactly that.
Check the way in as well. Hire companies need to get the kit from the van to the spot, so tell them about narrow side gates, steps or a long walk from the road. We need parking suitable for a large van, such as a Luton.
Questions to ask any hire company
These are fair questions and a decent company will answer them without any fuss.
- Is the equipment safety tested? For inflatables, ask if they are tested to BS EN 14960. Ours are, and they are inspected every year and fully insured.
- Is delivery, setup and collection included? With us it is. Some firms drop kit off and leave you to it.
- What are the delivery and collection times? We text you your times a few days before the party. Collections run from 6pm, with the latest pickup at 8pm.
- How do I pay the balance? Find out before the day. Ours is cash on arrival, or a bank transfer that has cleared 48 hours before your event.
- What happens if it rains? Get the weather policy in writing. Most of our castles can still be used in light rain, and if the forecast is torrential we will talk to you about rearranging.
- Can it go on my surface? Inflatables must be pegged down, so we cannot set up on astro turf. Grass is ideal. Halls are fine, as we carry weights for indoor hires.
Book early for summer weekends
Saturdays from May to September go first, for every type of party hire. If you have a date fixed, book it as soon as you can. Our online booking opens a year ahead and needs at least 3 days’ notice, with a £20 deposit to hold the date.
Think about the hall option
If your garden is too small or you do not fancy the weather gamble, a village hall works well. Many halls have low ceilings, so ordinary castles will not fit. Our hall packages are 7ft high and come with a mini slide and ride-on cars, which covers the children’s entertainment in one go.
Keep the list short
It is easy to hire more than you need. Children will happily spend most of a party on a bouncy castle, a few games and the food table. Get the basics right: enough seating, something to keep the children busy, shelter, and a clear plan for delivery and collection. That is most parties sorted.
You can see every castle we hire, from £90, on our bouncy castle hire page.
Got a date in mind? Check it and book here, or message us on WhatsApp.
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