Bouncy Castle Hire Business

needsomecash

HI

I have been looking at ways to make some extra money and wondered if anyone has tried to setup a bouncy castle hire business???

It would costs roughly £1500 to setup, is it worth it?????? I have worked out the castle would roughly have to be hired out about 35 times to get your money back.

robt_2

Does the £1500 include liability insurance, advertising, fuel costs etc etc?

needsomecash

the castle itself is £1200 includes blowers etc.

I have added a bit extra for insurance other stuff.

When hired out it would gain approx £45 a day - based on other people in the area hiring them out.

TIPE

Hiring out anything is not always what it seems

When hiring bouncy castles you need to comply with the Health and Safety at Work act etc 1974 and also Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. In addition you will require PAT tests for fans and cables and an annual test certificate.

Hiring of bouncy castles is a great business but you need to do your homework before spending money.

Visit www.inflatednews.co.uk for a free magazine and you should also consider subscribing to The Inflatable Play Enterprise (TIPE) which is an advisory service for operators of bouncy castles etc. Annual subscription is only £40.00. Contact details www.tipe.co.uk or 0844 8040 101

needsomecash

hi tipe

thanks for that info.

I had read about the checks but thought so long as your castle is not damaged then everything should be fine.

My only worry now is that I have read it is no longer a good business as too many people make silly claims against injuries so insurance is too high. Not sure if this is correct or not!!

TIPE

Hi

It is rather like an MOT. All may be well with your car but you still need an annual test.

With regard to silly claims. This is the same across the board. Things are changing as the Government has commissioned a review of 'No Win No Fee'.

With regards to cost. One castle is around £250.00 then its about £50.00 per addititional castle. However, there are discounts available and it gets proportionally cheaper the more units you have.

Hope that helps

hypno06

We used to have a business hiring out bouncy castles and the like, and we made a very good amount of money from it......


......but it was very hard work - if it rains, you have to get the castle dry before it goes to the next person. If some child is sick on it, you have to clear it up and make sure it doesn't smell before it goes to the next person......they need to be dry before they are stored otherwise they go mouldy......

We were very very busy because we pitched our "fee" just right, BUT this meant that OH started delivering at 5am and was often collecting at midnight, while I was loading and unloading for those dropping them off at ours and trying to clean them.

So, it can be worth doing......if you are prepared for the work to get a good reputation.

Good luck if you decide to do it!

needsomecash

hi thanks everyone

Thanks for all the advice. A few things to think off! At the moment I get up at 6 sometimes and do a few hours work cleaning for less than £15. Getting up early isnt a problem and I figure even if I just had one castle for now hiring that would be more than the cleaning for the same amount of time!!!

I am contact with a company that makes the castles and sets people up. They also said they maybe able to help with bookings. I will see what they have to say and then decide!!

ancasta_2

You really must be up to scratch with all your legal & H&S obligations such as those mentioned above. Particularly insurance.

Not to be a doom and gloom merchant but have a read of this and bear it in mind if you think of scrimping or avoiding insurance and testing of equipment.

http://www.durham.police.uk/press/news_article.php?id=395

Its not exactly a bouncy castle but damned near close enough. I was there the day before it happened, chatting to the owner asking him what it was, he was such a lovely chatty old bloke and look how his life panned out for him

needsomecash

hi

having children myself (which is what gave me the idea) I would definately do things properly!! I would make sure I was insured and tested before hiring out. I could buy a second hand castle cheaper but I am buying new from a PIPA manufacturer so I know the quality is good.

It is the stories like that though that put you off doing it!!! But i guess so long as everything is done legally and care is taken, hopefully I would avoid anything like that poor chap.

Thriftyknickers

Might be worth running it yourself at some events too. We went to a free event on Saturday and the bouncy castle and inflatable slide were £2 for 5 minutes or 3 slides and were very busy!