Introduction

In recent years, the inflatable rental industry has experienced significant growth and popularity. From birthday parties, summer camps, church gatherings and corporate events, inflatables like bounce houses, water slides, and obstacle courses have become a must-have attraction. If you're thinking about starting your own inflatable rental company, you're tapping into a lucrative market. With the right combination of equipment, you can average $250-$300 per rental with ample opportunities for expansion. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to launch your inflatable rental business.

Market Research

Before diving into the business, conduct thorough market research to understand your target audience and competition. Identify potential customers and take some time to reflect on places you’ve seen inflatables. Maybe it was a recent birthday party, a street fair, or at a church gathering. Think about how you might be able to reach these people. Could you find them on Facebook, Instagram or somewhere else all together? Think about who handles party planning for your own family or ask your friends how they go about planning parties and who usually decides what to get for the event. Next, gather insights on your competitors. Take some time to search the companies in your area that currently offer this service. What are they doing well? Where could their service be improved? How much are they charging for rentals? How long do they typically rent their inflatables for? Is it 4 hours, 6 hours, a full day? This research will help you make informed decisions about your business strategy, pricing, and marketing efforts.

Business Plan

Create a detailed business plan that outlines your company's goals, objectives, and strategies. A great book I read that helped me with this is called: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber. Include financial projections, startup costs, and a timeline for achieving profitability. When you're done you should have a clear idea of what your company looks like: gross sales per year, profit margin, how many inflatables you need, how many delivery vehicles you need, how many employees you need, etc. A well-thought-out business plan will serve as a roadmap for your venture and help you secure financing if needed. And remember, your business plan will likely look different when you're first getting started versus when you’re getting ready to expand. The important part is to get a clear and logical idea of where you are going, no matter what stage of the game you are in. 

Legal Considerations

Starting any business involves legalities. Register your business, obtain the necessary permits and licenses, and check local zoning regulations. Additionally, you may want to consult with an attorney to draft contracts, waivers, and liability forms to protect your company from potential legal issues. Another thing you will want to consider at this step is what kind of structure you’d like to use for your company. Oftentimes an LLC can be set up quickly and, if done correctly, it can layer in some additional protection and tax benefits for your company. 

Equipment and Inventory

Invest in a diverse range of inflatables to cater to various customer preferences. Ensure that your equipment is safe, clean, and well-maintained. When selecting inflatables, consider factors such as size, theme, and age-appropriateness. We have found that when getting started, it is much easier to select a smaller number of gender neutral units. This way you can appeal to the largest number of customers right away. It is also important here to recall some of the information you gathered in the earlier steps. We want to think about what offerings your competitors have and consider what seems like it is in high demand in your area. Is there something they don’t have that would be popular for your target customer? These kinds of questions will make selecting inventory much easier. In general, if you're just getting started, you can begin with around 5-8, well-selected inflatables and be in good shape. It is also possible to start with even less. We began our party rental company with just three inflatables: a bounce house, a wet/dry combo, and a water slide!

Pricing Strategy

Determine your pricing strategy based on factors like equipment costs, competition, and market demand. For our party rental company, we typically use a target price of 7-10% of the purchase price of the inflatable. In other words, if we buy a unit for $2,500, we want to be able to charge roughly $250/rental. However, the price needs to match your local economy. So make sure you check out what competitors are charging for similar inflatables and consider what you would be comfortable paying to have it at your own event. You will use this information to adjust the rental price up or down from the 10% recommendation.  Consider offering package deals (such as multiple unit rentals, multi-day rentals or inflatables packaged with tables and chairs…etc.), discounts (such as military, first responder, healthcare workers, and teachers), and seasonal promotions to attract customers. Be transparent about your pricing structure on your website and marketing materials. This is also a good point in time to consider some variation of a loyalty program. We offer our repeat rental customers 10% off any future bookings with our company and they love this added perk! It is always cheaper to retain a customer than it is to go out and find a new one. 

Safety and Insurance

Safety is paramount in the inflatable rental industry. Regularly inspect and maintain your equipment to ensure it meets safety standards. Invest in general liability insurance to protect your business in case of accidents or injuries during rentals. Prominently display safety guidelines and instructions to customers. And NEVER go through with a rental without the customer signing the rental agreement and liability waiver. 

Here are some places you can turn to for insurance:

Cossio Insurance

https://www.cossioinsurance.com/index.html

Insure My Jumper

Contact: Sam Muradyan

Phone: (888) 688-3788

http://www.insuremyjumper.com

XInsurance

Phone: (872) 219-0884

https://www.xinsurance.com

Delivery and Setup

Develop efficient delivery and setup procedures to ensure a smooth experience for your customers. Take the time to write out exactly how you want each delivery and take down experience to go. Then compile this information in a binder that can go in each delivery vehicle as a reference for your team. It may also be helpful to add some photos of how to layout and fold the different units to ensure consistency amongst your team. Hire trained staff who can handle the logistics of delivering, inflating, securing, and cleaning the inflatables. Ensuring a kind, friendly, and customer-centered service, along with punctuality and professionalism, will help you earn positive reviews and repeat business.

Conclusion

Starting an inflatable rental company can be a rewarding entrepreneurial endeavor. By conducting thorough research, focusing on safety, providing exceptional customer service, and staying competitive in your market, you can build a successful and thriving business. Remember that consistency and dedication are key to long-term success in the inflatable rental industry. So, take the leap and start turning your inflatable dreams into a profitable reality! Our industry is only continuing to grow, and we can’t wait to see what you're able to do with your rental company! We want to hear about your successes, so please leave a comment or send in some photos of your company as it gets going and starts growing so that we can share your story with our customers!