Bounce house rental: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What bounce house rental is

A bounce house rental business drops off an inflatable bounce house, anchors it on a flat area, powers it with a blower and returns later to deflate and haul it away. Families rent them for birthdays, school events and church picnics, usually with an adult supervising the children inside.

Signs you need it

  • You are hosting a children's party in a yard or park and want an activity that keeps them busy
  • The party has a set time and you want the inflatable set up before guests arrive
  • You do not have a flat, open area with room for an inflatable of that size
  • You want a unit that suits the age of the children at the party
  • You want the inflatable removed the same day so you do not have to deal with it

What the pro does

  • Confirms the site size, the surface and the access route when you book
  • Delivers the unit and places it on the flat area you show them
  • Anchors the unit and connects the blower to power as the company's process requires
  • Checks the unit for safety before the children are allowed inside
  • Gives you the rules for use, including the number of children and the supervision rules
  • Returns to deflate, fold and haul the unit away after the rental period

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Unit size and style, such as a castle, a slide or a combo unit
  • Delivery distance and how hard the site is to reach
  • Length of the rental period and the pickup time
  • Whether the company sets up the unit or the host must do part of the setup
  • Generator or power needs if there is no outlet near the site
  • Weather plan and whether the rental can move to another day

What a written quote should spell out

  • The unit size, style and the age range the company recommends
  • Delivery, setup and pickup times
  • Who provides the blower and the power source
  • Rules for use, supervision and maximum number of children
  • What happens if the weather is unsafe or the site is not usable

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the flat, open area size you need from me, and where should the unit go?
  • What power source is needed, and how far should the blower be from the unit?
  • What age range is the unit made for, and how many children can be inside at once?
  • What happens if it rains or the wind picks up?
  • Who checks the unit before the children use it, and who is responsible during use?
  • Do you carry liability insurance and can you send the certificate?

Red flags

  • Will not send a copy of its insurance certificate when asked
  • Says the unit is safe in strong wind without a clear wind plan
  • Places the unit on a slope or near trees and power lines without a site check
  • Cannot say how many children are allowed inside at once
  • Leaves a unit with no clear instructions on supervision

What you can do yourself

You can clear the site yourself by removing sticks, rocks, toys and sharp objects, and by keeping the area clear of trees, fences, power lines and the grill. Do not set up or anchor the unit yourself, and do not connect the blower to power unless the company tells you exactly how. Keep an adult watching the children at all times, and hire a rental company for the unit itself.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to rent a bounce house. Ask the company for its liability insurance certificate, since parks, schools and some venues ask for proof before a unit is allowed on their grounds.

Bounce house rental questions

Can a bounce house go on grass?

Yes, on a flat, level area that the company approves. Ask the company to check the surface before the day, and avoid slopes and uneven ground.

Who supervises the children?

An adult should watch the children at all times. Ask the company for its rules, and make sure the host or a designated adult is assigned for the rental period.

What if the unit gets a tear or a leak?

Stop the children, turn off the blower and call the company right away. Do not try to patch the unit yourself.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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