I'm sure you've seen bounce houses at various parties & events. You've probably even rented one. But have you ever thought about the financial windfall that can come with owning a couple of the units?
The price for bounce houses varies in different parts of the country. They can rent from $65.00 per day on the west coast to $250.00 and up in other parts of the country. In the Indiana area, rentals usually run about $225.00 for six hours or so. You do the math. Charging just $150.00 for a rental can add an extra $300.00 a week in your pocket.
Of course, there are some expenses that come with the rental. You'll need a truck or a small trailer. A good dolly, extension cords, business cards, insurance and other small business items. Most people who start up a rental company do the deliveries and bookings themselves. That's the joy of it. You work when you want to.not when you're told to. On the other handthe downside is that if you want the income you might as well accept that it's going to be there on the weekend and that's when you'll be working.
Insurance is the biggest cost. Although it seems to get cheaper when more units are added, start up costs are tough. Bounce House purchase prices average around $1500.00 but insurance will be around $750.00. That means your first year start up is going to cost around $2500.00. If you rent your unit for $150.00, you'll still have paid for your costs in less than 20 rentals. And, of course, the more you charge, the quicker your investment will pay for itself.
Moonbounces aren't the only thing you can rent. We started five years ago with two moonbounces and now have over fifty interactive games. Jousts, Giant Slides, Obstacle courses, video games, casino equipment and fun foods. So, as you can see the business will grow as large as you want it to. About the only way to fail is to purchase the equipment and leave it in your garage. Inflatable moonbounces and other inflatables are their own best advertisement.
Here are a few tips for starting your business.
-Talk to your state and local boards to find out what is necessary to open your own inflatable rental business. Some states have restrictions on what you can do.
-Check on suppliers. You can look on the web for "bounce house" or "inflatable games".
-Ask the suppliers to give you insurance info. Do NOT make a purchase until you've secured insurance.
-Order your bounce(s) just as soon as you have your insurance in place.
-It'll take some time to get your equipment and you have work to do while you're waiting for it to arrive. Make up fliers and business cards. Do a press release. Get your phone number and web address. Don't forget to tell everyone you know about your new business.
-The biggest start up mistake that is made is booking units before they actually arrive. You're asking for trouble if you do this.
-As soon as your equipment arrives, inspect it for damage before the delivery truck leaves. Make sure it's all there (most units are sold with a blower).
-Now for the fun part. Inflate your new unit and get familar with it. Let the neighborhood kids play. You want your unit seen so people will want to rent it.
It looks easy, doesn't it? And it really is. You'll be making money by selling fun. Could any business owner ask for more?
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