Events Weekends okSeasonalSide hustle

How to start a party rentals business in the United Kingdom

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what the United Kingdom asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In pounds 12-minute read

The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for the United Kingdom: researched US figures converted to pounds by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are the United Kingdom's own.

To start£3k–12kLean to full setup

Per month£2.7k–14kOnce established

Profit margin50–70%After insurance, fuel, cleaning and repairs

First customer2–6 weeksFrom today

DifficultySimple work, but safety rules matter

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you're handy, strong and free on weekends

Party rentals turn equipment into weekend income: you deliver a bounce house, tables and chairs, set them up safely and pick them up after. Start with one or two inflatables and a trailer, then add tents and seating as bookings grow.

You'll like it if

You don't mind lifting and hauling heavy gear
You're free most weekends in spring and summer
You have a truck or SUV that can tow a trailer
You're careful about safety and weather

Think twice if

You want your weekends free
You have nowhere to store bulky equipment
Slow winter months would be a problem
You'd rather not deal with insurance and inspections

02What it costs

From £3,037 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to start£3,037

What	Cost
Bounce housesCommercial-grade units with blowers	£1,150
Tables and chairsFolding tables, chairs and a chair cart	£0
Party tentA frame tent for outdoor events	£0
Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company	£0
TrailerFrom a small utility trailer to a larger one	£680
InsuranceFirst year of liability that covers inflatables	£1,200
Booking softwareOnline booking, contracts and inventory for three months	£0
Cards and flyersFor schools, churches and parent groups	£7
Total	£3,037

Once you're running: about £270 a month, plus about 15% of what you earn. Insurance, storage and booking software every month, plus fuel, cleaning, repairs and card fees for each rental.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per rental £170 £55£620

Rentals a week 6 130

Monthly costs £270 £0£1,100

Typical in the United Kingdom: £110–£310 per rental, 2–12 rentals a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Side hustle£540–1.4k

Two or three bounce houses, weekends in season

Full-time, on your own£2.7k–5.5k

A trailer of inflatables, tables, chairs and tents

Growing£6.8k–14k

Crews, a box truck and a warehouse

04Step by step

11 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Check the demand near you
2–3 days Free

See which rental companies serve your area, what they charge and how far ahead they're booked on spring and summer weekends.
- Search "bounce house rental near me"
- Note 5 companies and their prices
- Check delivery fees and hours
2
Check your state and city rules
1 week Free

Some states treat inflatables as amusement rides that need insurance, inspections and a sticker, and large tents can need a permit. Know the rules in the United Kingdom before you buy.
- Inflatable inspection rules
- Tent permits
- Home storage rules
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Pick a fun name that's easy to remember and find. Make sure no one in the United Kingdom already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check no one else uses it
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
4
Register your business in the United Kingdom
1 day to 2 weeks £0–£100

Most owners start as a sole trader with HMRC; a limited company with Companies House costs a little and keeps business debts separate.
- Register as a sole trader: free
- Set up a limited company: £100
5
Get your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
1–5 days Free

Your business's tax number from HMRC, for taxes and banking.
- Register with HMRC
- Open a business bank account
6
Sort out VAT
1–3 days Free

You must register for VAT once your sales pass £90,000 a year. The rate is 20%.
- Know when to register for VAT
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- General liability that covers inflatables
- Participant accident cover
- Commercial auto
- Equipment cover
8
Buy your equipment
2–4 weeks £1.9k–9k

Buy commercial-grade inflatables, not backyard toys. Add tables, chairs and a tent once your first units are booking.
- Bounce houses with blowers
- Stakes, sandbags and tarps
- Trailer, dolly and straps
9
Set your prices and rules
1 day Free

Price by the day with a delivery area, and write clear rules for weather, safety and supervision into every contract. See the prices below.
- Daily rates and delivery fees
- Weather and cancellation policy
- Safety rules and signed contract
10
Put your business online
1 day Included

Parents book rentals online at night. Show every unit with photos, sizes and prices, and let them reserve a date with a deposit.
- Website with your inventory
- Online booking and deposits
- Google Business Profile
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
11
Get your first bookings
2–6 weeks Up to £140

Schools, churches, daycares and neighborhood events book early for spring. Friends' parties and photos of happy kids bring the rest.
- Schools and church events
- Parent and neighborhood groups
- Ask every customer for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in the United Kingdom

What the United Kingdom asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Register as a sole trader

You register as a sole trader by registering for Self Assessment.

HMRCFree

Set up a limited company

Registering online. Registering by post costs more.

Companies House£100once

Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

HMRCFree

Tent and event permits

Large tents and public events can need a city permit. Columbus, Ohio, for example, requires one for public events with tents over 400 square feet.

Your city or local councilVaries

Storage and home-business rules

Check whether you can store equipment and park a trailer at home.

Your city or countyVaries

Inflatable tests and inspections

Owners must make sure each inflatable has an initial test and a yearly inspection by a competent person, usually shown by a PIPA tag or ADIPS declaration.

Health and Safety ExecutiveVaries

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

Commercial bounce houseWith blower, commercial vinyl

£1,150–£2,700Must have

Folding banquet table6 ft plastic, per table

£40–£45Later

Folding chairPlastic, per chair

£8–£10Later

20 by 20 ft frame tentSeats about 40

£1,350Later

Utility trailer5x8 to 7x12 ft

£680–£1,900Must have

Rental booking softwarePer month, by inventory size

£25–£85Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Bounce house

£140 per event · Up to 8 hours

Delivery and setup
Safety briefing
Pickup and cleaning

Backyard party package

£230 per event · Up to 8 hours

Bounce house
4 tables and 24 chairs
Delivery, setup and pickup

Tent package

£440 per event · One day

20 by 20 ft tent
Tables and chairs for about 40
Setup and takedown

Bounce house rental, per day in the United KingdomTypical: £110–£190

Average £140

£0£65£130£190£250

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Google Business Profile

Parents search "bounce house rental near me". Photos and reviews win the booking.

Free

Schools, churches and daycares

Field days, festivals and fundraisers book several units at once, often on weekdays.

Partnership

Party photos

Ask customers for photos of the party. Happy kids sell the next rental.

Free

Online booking

Let parents check dates and reserve with a deposit any time of day.

With PressUp bookings

Reviews

Parents read reviews about safety and punctuality. Ask after every rental.

With PressUp Reviews

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Set up

Check state and city rules
Register your business
Get insurance quotes

Week 2

Get equipped

Buy your first inflatables
Get a trailer and straps
Practice setup and teardown

Week 3

Go live

Website with online booking
Google Business Profile
Write your rental contract

Week 4

First bookings

Aim for 8 rentals
Contact schools and churches
Ask for reviews

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license to rent bounce houses in the United Kingdom?

It depends on your state. Some states treat inflatables as amusement rides that need insurance, a yearly inspection and a sticker; others have no special rules. Large tents can also need a permit. Check with your state and city.

Why is insurance so expensive?

Insurers see inflatables as a higher risk because of injuries and wind. Many venues and schools also ask for proof of cover before you can set up.

Can I start with tables and chairs only?

Yes. Tables, chairs and tents cost less to insure and suit weddings and graduations. Many owners add inflatables later.

What about bad weather?

Never run inflatables in high winds or storms. Write a weather policy into every contract so customers know when you'll cancel or reschedule.

Is it seasonal?

Mostly. Spring through fall weekends are busiest; indoor events, schools and company parties help fill the rest of the year.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources