5 Things You Should Know Before Renting a Bounce House for a Party

Considering renting a bounce house for your child's next party? Here are 5 things you should know before placing that order:

Measuring is always a great idea!

1. Location - Where will the party be held? The most common location for an inflatable bounce house rental is a single family home backyard. Alternatively, setups are easily done at apartment buildings, condos and parks. Keep in mind that the inflatable rental company will most likely require you to be at the location the entire time the inflatable is there, so if your event is not at your home, be very specific about the timing and be open to being flexible with arriving early and staying late in order to accommodate the logistics of the rental company. Most companies do not want to hold their customers hostage in these cases, and they do a good job of mitigating it, but a realistic expectation of timing will help keep the stress levels in check on party day!

Start small to leave yourself room for the big milestones!

2. Price - How much are you prepared to spend? Most folks realize that renting a bounce house and ordering a few pizzas is significantly cheaper than the all-in-one indoor facilities. And, nobody gets kicked out after 2 hours, unless you want them to be! A bounce house or inflatable water slide is all you need for a successful party in most cases. There are rental companies who try to get you roped into a package including a bunch of stuff you may not want, but unless you desire to "blow it out", a simple affordable bounce house is all you'll need. Most party rental companies offer a variety of inflatables escalating in cost such as small bouncers, large bouncers, bounce/slide combos, large slides, water slides, obstacle courses and interactive games such as carnival games, pedestal joust, bouncy boxing and more. The prices can range from $99 to many hundreds of dollars depending on how big you want to go. Keep in mind that rental prices typically apply to a limited amount of time with availability in a certain delivery area. For example, Austin Bounce House Rentals offers a 4 hours standard rental with a 10% increase for up to 8 hours and a flat $25 for overnight. Delivery is included in all of Greater Austin and surrounding communities. Many rental companies have a similar service, but the hours and delivery areas vary, so be sure to inquire about your specific needs before committing.

3. Safety / Appropriateness for Age Group - Consider your age group carefully and ask the rental

Kids will line up if you choose right!

company for their recommendations. In the party rental business, inflatable rental companies are well versed in matching their inventory items with the customer's needs. For toddlers thru age 6 years, we recommend sticking with a basic bounce house or bounce/slide combo. In the Summer, a small water slide with pool is appropriate. In the midrange of 6-10 years, combos are all the rage, and with older kids thru teenagers, giant slides, obstacle courses and interactive games are popular. Keep in mind that no matter which inflatable you choose and what age your invitees are, an adult must be present at all times while the inflatable is in use. Bouncers are NOT babysitters!

4. Date & Times - Weekdays are cheaper than weekends due to the economic laws of supply and demand. Of course during the school year, you'll want to have your event on a weekend or vacation break if you want your guests to show up. The time of day for your event is determined by availability of guests, the type of inflatable, your own general preferences and weather/temperature conditions throughout the day. If you're renting a water slide for example, high-noon is great. But if you are renting a bounce house, you may want a shadier part of the day. Inflatables can be booked year 'round and even in cold condition, kids will have a great time as the act of bouncing is very aerobic and will keep them comfortable. We advise that you plan ahead and place your order 3-5 weeks before your event date if possible. This will ensure that the item you desire is available, and that you give your guests enough time to "save the date". Most party rental companies ask for a deposit or credit card to hold a date, however, Austin Bounce House Rentals requires no deposit or credit card to make a reservation.

5. Don't Stress Out! - I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said "if you fail to plan, then plan to fail". Good planning goes a long way in reducing stress and we have an acronym to help you out here: PLAN (Prepare by selecting a party location, date & time. Look at your options of party rental companies and their offerings to choose the best rental item for your budget and age group. Action - Place your order then mark it off your to-do-list. Notify the friends, neighbors and relatives with invitations and social media announcements that the party is on!) With a good plan, your stress will be all but non-existent come party time!

For more information on inflatable products and services, visit http://AustinBounceHouse.Rentals About the author: Jeff Roberts has over 28 years of experience in the party rental business and is currently managing a party rental company in Austin Texas.