Your Must-Do Checklist When Renting a Bounce House

Bounce houses are pretty famous these days and for a good reason! Children adore them, and they're a tonne of fun. And there has never been a better choice for birthday celebrations than inflatable bouncers.

If you Google "bounce house rental near me," you'll undoubtedly come across dozens of rental companies that can bring a bouncer to your house or another venue for a birthday celebration. To guarantee a seamless transaction, it's critical to understand how the process operates and what you need to know from your rental provider.

1. Make the reservation early!
The most crucial thing on the list is this. You should book your rental a month in advance, ideally two months, if you want an extensive selection of bouncers. Now, you'll be able to locate one if you need to reserve one two weeks before the party or even a week before (I've been there before).

But it will make the procedure more stressful and significantly impact the inventory you have to pick from. It will be tough to discover a bouncy rental house that you like if you wait until the week of the party. Avoid taking chances and start early; you'll be glad you did.

2. Order it online or ask a friend to assist.
You may have rented a sizable, commercial-grade bounce house. They are larger than you would anticipate, hefty, and uncomfortable. When I originally went to rent one of these items, I decided to bring it myself rather than have it delivered. My mouth dropped to the ground when they loaded it into my SUV with a forklift. This behemoth weighed at least 200 pounds, but my wife and I hauled it into our backyard.

Even worse was putting it back into our SUV when the celebration ended. Even though I'm not athletic, wrestling the monster back into our car was the most physically taxing thing I've ever done. I highly urge you to consider paying the delivery cost. You'll have a far better time at the party, which will be less expensive than getting wounded and seeing the doctor. Get assistance if you decide to skip the delivery.

You should be OK if you have a few muscular pals prepared to fight it out with you. One more thing. Like a tin can, our wheelbarrow was smashed by one of these things. If you want to use any equipment for assistance, you should ensure they are powerful enough. We were able to move the unit with a 2-wheel hand truck.

3. Inquire about shipping costs
Although not all businesses do so, most do include the cost of shipping in the rental price. Talk about this upfront, so there are no surprises as you manage other party-related stress. If delivery is extra, you can negotiate with them. Informing them about a competitor's reduced delivery fee may result in a price reduction. In cases like these, I've found that asking, "What can we do to reduce that price?" might be helpful. When it fails, it often causes little harm, and when it succeeds, you save money by making a simple inquiry.

4. Recognize the rental window
Although it can seem simple, it's crucial to comprehend the timing of your rental. Getting this properly is crucial since there's nothing worse than failing your child on their birthday. Approximately one week before your party, I advise double-checking your time slot. This will allow you time to make adjustments if any problems arise.

5. Be aware of cancellation policies on both ends.
Make sure you comprehend the cancellation policy's operation and both sides. Find out when cancellations are necessary so you can prepare. Please make sure you are aware of their notification requirements and any associated costs. Additionally, make sure you know the circumstances under which they could cancel.

Typically, they include factors like weather conditions or other dangerous situations. In the past, I've had to make last-minute arrangements after a rental business canceled due to a "chance" of rain. It turned out to be among the gorgeous days of the year! Said, I'm grateful that we found a replacement in time.

6. Prepare your yard.
As a father who has fumbled through several birthday celebrations, I can attest that one of the most crucial elements of hiring a bouncy house is just being organized.

When I say to be ready, I mean that you must physically make room for the bouncer. Additionally, while doing it, be sure to clear a wide path to the location of your setup. It's simple to forget, and cleaning up while the delivery men are waiting is quite aggravating.