Party rental — tables, chairs, tents, linens, photo booths, 360 video, dance floors, lighting — is one of the fastest-growing event businesses of the last 5 years. Here's exactly what to do, in order.
1. Pick your wedge: tables/chairs, tents, or specialty (photo booth, 360, lighting)
- Tables + chairs + linens — broadest demand, lowest margin per item, requires storage + truck. $500-$3,000 per event.
- Tents — capital-heavy, weather-dependent, premium pricing. $1,500-$8,000 per event.
- Photo booth / 360 video / lighting — single-item business, high margin, lower capital. $400-$1,200 per event.
Most operators start with photo booth or 360 video — capital-light, high-demand, easy to operate solo. Add tables/chairs/tents when you have steady demand.
2. Gear that actually matters
Photo booth start: $3,000-$8,000 (booth + camera + printer + props + backdrop).
360 video start: $2,500-$5,000 (platform + camera + iPad + tripod).
Tables + chairs start: $5,000-$15,000 (50 tables + 200 chairs + linens for 20 tables minimum).
Tent start: $8,000-$25,000 (one 20x40 frame tent minimum).
Plus truck/van ($0-$25K), storage unit ($100-$300/mo), insurance ($1,200-$2,500/yr).
3. Legal + permits
- LLC: $50-$200
- General liability + auto insurance: $1,200-$2,500/year
- Sales tax license (rentals are taxable in most states)
- Tent permits in some municipalities (over certain sq ft)
4. Pricing
- Photo booth: $400-$1,000 / event (3-4 hours)
- 360 video: $500-$1,200 / event
- Tables: $8-$15 each / event
- Chiavari chairs: $4-$8 each / event (less for plastic folding)
- Linens: $10-$25 each / event
- 20x40 tent: $1,200-$3,000 / event (setup + breakdown included)
- Lighting + dance floor add-ons: $300-$1,500
5. Online presence
- Booking page with package selector + photos + deposit collection. SoYummy.
- Google Business Profile — categories: "Party Equipment Rental Service", "Tent Rental Service", "Photo Booth", etc.
- Instagram — events are a visual category. Real event photos > stock.
- WeddingWire / The Knot if doing weddings (paid platforms but high-intent traffic).
6. First 10 clients
- Wedding planners + venue managers (each plans 20-50 events/year)
- Corporate event coordinators
- Birthday party / quinceañera moms groups
- Free or at-cost setup for one local high-visibility event in exchange for vendor referrals
7. Build the system
Same pattern as other event verticals: 50% non-refundable deposit, 48-hour confirmation, photo every event for portfolio, request review after every event.
The bottom line
Start with one item type (photo booth or 360 video easiest), expand to tables/chairs/linens once you have 30+ recurring relationships. Operators following this hit $80K-$150K year two part-time, $250K+ full-time with crew.
Set up your booking page in minutes.