Events Weekends okSeasonalSide hustle

How to start a party rentals business in Ohio

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

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In US dollars 12-minute read

To start$4.3k–17kLean to full setup

Per month$3.7k–19kOnce 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 $4,288 to start

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

Total to start$4,288

What	Cost
Bounce housesCommercial-grade units with blowers	$1,600
Tables and chairsFolding tables, chairs and a chair cart	$0
Party tentA frame tent for outdoor events	$0
Registering your businessThe state's fee to form an LLC in Ohio	$99
TrailerFrom a small utility trailer to a larger one	$930
InsuranceFirst year of liability that covers inflatables	$1,650
Booking softwareOnline booking, contracts and inventory for three months	$0
Cards and flyersFor schools, churches and parent groups	$9
Total	$4,288

Once you're running: about $370 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 $230 $75$840

Rentals a week 6 130

Monthly costs $370 $0$1,500

Typical in Ohio: $150–$420 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$740–1.9k

Two or three bounce houses, weekends in season

Full-time, on your own$3.7k–7.4k

A trailer of inflatables, tables, chairs and tents

Growing$9.3k–19k

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 Ohio 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 Ohio already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check no one else uses it
- Check the domain
Get name ideas, then check yours with OhioFind a name
4
Form your LLC in Ohio
1–2 weeks $99 state fee

An LLC keeps your personal savings separate from the business. You file Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Articles of Organization
- A registered agent
- An operating agreement
PressUp can file your LLC with the state for youForm your LLC
5
Get your EIN
Same day Free

The IRS's tax number for your business. You'll need it for a business bank account.
- Apply online with the IRS
- Open a business bank account
Apply for it along with your LLC filingAdd your EIN
6
Sort out sales tax in Ohio
1–3 days Free

Ohio's sales tax is 5.75%, and cities and counties add their own. Ask the Ohio Department of Taxation whether what you sell is taxable.
- Check if your services are taxable
- Register for sales tax if needed
- 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 $2.5k–12k

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 $190

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 OH

What Ohio asks for

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

Articles of Organization (LLC)

Registers your business with the state.

The Ohio Secretary of State$99once

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

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

IRSFree

Sales tax registration

Only if what you sell is taxable where you are: ask the state.

The Ohio Department of TaxationFree

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 ride rules in some states

Some states treat inflatables as amusement rides. Texas, for example, requires insurance, an inspection and a state sticker for each ride.

Your state insurance, labor or agriculture departmentVaries

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

$1,600–$3,700Must have

Folding banquet table6 ft plastic, per table

$60–$65Later

Folding chairPlastic, per chair

$11–$13Later

20 by 20 ft frame tentSeats about 40

$1,850Later

Utility trailer5x8 to 7x12 ft

$930–$2,600Must have

Rental booking softwarePer month, by inventory size

$35–$120Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

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

Bounce house

$190 per event · Up to 8 hours

Delivery and setup
Safety briefing
Pickup and cleaning

Backyard party package

$320 per event · Up to 8 hours

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

Tent package

$600 per event · One day

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

Bounce house rental, per day in OhioTypical: $150–$260

Average $190

$0$90$180$260$350

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 Ohio?

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