In my neighborhood, you can borrow a bouncy house for a day for $200 to $400, which isn’t super pricey. It looks like if you rent it out every Saturday from spring to fall for a year, you could make back what you spent. Has anyone tried this? If so, what do you think about it? Any things to watch out for?
During college, I worked for one of California’s largest bounce house companies. I became friends with the owner over 20 years ago and stayed connected even after I stopped working there.
Every other day, someone on my delivery route would talk about starting their own bounce house business and would ask me for advice.
Running a bounce house business isn’t easy. It requires constant attention and hard work.
You need specific skills like sewing thick canvas with long needles and fixing motors. Plus, you need a lot of equipment like extension cords – they had around 250 to 300.
Competition is fierce. You can’t just show up at a party and expect people to rent a bounce house from you.
To turn a profit, you need a bunch of bounce houses – at least 12 to 30. And you have to keep buying new ones every few years because the old ones get worn out.
Storage is another challenge. Where do you keep 20 bounce houses when they’re not in use?
Then there are costs like gas, wages for employees, and maintaining your delivery trucks.
Weather is a big factor too. If you’re not in a sunny place like Southern California or Florida, it’s hard to make money because nobody wants a bounce house when it’s cold or rainy.
And even in places like Southern California and Florida, there’s already a ton of competition.
But hey, don’t let all that discourage you! If you want to start a bounce house business, go for it! Just be ready for the challenges ahead.
Amanda, Yes Renting out a bouncy house can indeed be a viable business opportunity, especially if there’s high demand in your area. Here are some insights and things to consider:
- Market Demand: Research the demand for bouncy house rentals in your neighborhood to ensure there’s sufficient interest. Look into local events, parties, and celebrations where bouncy houses might be in demand.
- Competition Analysis: Assess the competition in your area. Look at the pricing, services offered, and customer reviews of other bouncy house rental businesses to understand what you’re up against and how you can differentiate yourself.
- Investment Costs: Consider the initial investment required to purchase or rent bouncy houses, as well as any additional equipment such as generators, transportation vehicles, and cleaning supplies.
- Regulations and Permits: Check local regulations and permits required for operating a bouncy house rental business. This may include business licenses, insurance coverage, and safety certifications for your equipment.
- Quality and Safety: Invest in high-quality, commercial-grade bouncy houses that meet safety standards. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspection of your equipment are crucial to ensure the safety of your customers.
There’s this one company here in town that handles most of it, and sometimes I catch myself wishing I’d come up with the idea because they handle a ton of business. But yeah, there’s a whole slew of tasks involved—transportation, cleaning, setting up and tearing down, scheduling, stocking up on inventory, and probably a few more that slip my mind.
Calling it passive wouldn’t be accurate at all, but with a couple of dependable folks to manage things, it could be relatively hands-off for you personally.
Amanda, renting out a bouncy house can indeed be a lucrative venture if you have a consistent demand in your neighborhood. However, there are several factors to consider.
First, ensure you comply with any local regulations or permits required for operating such a business.
Second, consider liability insurance to protect yourself in case of accidents.
Third, regularly inspect and maintain the equipment to ensure safety.
Lastly, establish clear rental terms and policies to manage customer expectations and avoid disputes. It’s also a good idea to research the market demand and competition in your area to gauge the potential success of the business.