Are bounce house businesses profitable? What are the pros and cons of starting a bounce house rental business? Here is everything you need to know.
Bounce houses and inflatable castles are very popular today and it is a big hit with children who love to play outdoors. These soft textured inflatable devices previously used to get installed in entertainment and amusement parks. Today, parents install a dolphin or Aladdin themed bounce castle out at the garden space or any outdoor venue where they are hosting a party.
Bounce house rental companies provide multiple themes, designs, and sizes of bounce houses to select from. Note that this industry has experienced significant growth over the last decade, with inflatables being present at almost every event catering to children.
While gaining popularity everywhere, areas with mild weather offer the most growth potential for storefronts with inflatables.
Owing to this significant growth potential, there are a number of individuals seeking business opportunities in this industry. Therefore, strong networking and marketing skills would prove beneficial to any individual looking to venture into this business.
It is also imperative that you understand the demographic you are catering to and invest in the type of inflatable that best meets their needs. In addition, have it in mind that strong interpersonal skills, a love of children, and a dedication to the business are also imperative to your company’s long – term success.
In the United States, most bounce house business owners start out in a part time capacity, renting out their equipment on weekends or other days off. They might schedule one or two days per week toward bounce house rentals, and only expand on that after business has picked up.
And some just want their bounce house business to be a side thing, gently augmenting their monthly budget with a few hundred extra dollars per weekend and per rental.
One important factor about the inflatable bounce house business is its inherent dynamism. Whether you want to do it part time on weekends or turn it into a full – scale, full – time operation, bounce house rentals are popular enough in most areas to be profitable year round and on your schedule.
These businesses also have limited upfront costs with little overhead. Your initial investment is returned pretty quickly. It is a great family business too; you can involve your spouse, your kids, and your friends and have fun in the process. And best of all, the time commitments aren’t going to be as stringent as they’d be with most other startups.
However, to get things started its advisable to have two or three inflatables and a vehicle large enough to move your largest inflatable around—ideally a box truck or large cargo van with a bit of room to spare. A dolly or cart is also critical here.
Also note that you will have to invest in actual, proper training. The equipment is all relatively easy to use, but accidents can and will happen. Training can help mitigate that risk exponentially.
Pros of Owning a Bounce House Business
Typically, a bounce house business is a fairly simple operation. As the owner, you will buy bounce houses (also known as moonwalks, jumpers, bouncy castles, etc.) which you lease to clients for their events. Your company (which may just consist of you alone) drives the equipment (one or more bounce houses, blowers, and other items) to the client’s event, sets it up, and then returns later to break it down and take it back to base.
Launching a business can be challenging, but it is always a worthwhile journey. Here are the few pros associated with starting and owning a bounce house business.
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Very Profitable
The prices bounce house rental businesses charge tend to vary by region and goods and services delivered. However, regular inflatable average $125 for a four-hour rental, toddler houses average $80 to $250, depending upon your needs, and combo bouncers average $250.
Admission to inflatable storefront locations is $7 to $10 per child, while private parties start at $250 for twenty children. Reports suggest an average of 1.5 rentals per week, which comes out to $188 per week per bounce house. If you invest in 4 bounce houses, your business will draw in about $750 per week.
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Very Limited Time Investment
Perhaps one of the most attractive features of owning a bounce house business, comes by way of the time investment. Note that owning a business traditionally requires you to apply large swaths of your time toward managing a plethora of moving parts.
But this business is one industry where time constraints are rarely troublesome. The standard operating procedure in the bounce house business involves driving the equipment to the client, setting it up for them onsite, and then returning later at a scheduled time to break it down and pack it up again.
And otherwise, the rest of your time is free time. Your equipment is off making money for you while you are doing something else.
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Bounce Houses are Thrilling
Kids adore bounce castles and slides, whether they are wet or dry! It’s a fantastic exercise and they will be on it hours, sweating off all that pent-up energy. Bouncy castle celebrations are awesome and a child will certainly remember that special day for a long time.
While many adults are now hosting parties that include bounce houses, a majority of your business will cater to children who are having birthday parties, graduations, family reunions, other big life events. Churches, businesses, and fundraising events are also a great audience to target in your marketing efforts.
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Requires Very Little Overhead
Each bounce house averages approximately $1,500 in cost and $200 for shipping. You will also need to budget for a reliable vehicle, large enough to deliver multiple bounce houses at a time, as well as a trailer, for busier delivery days. For a storefront location, your costs will be significantly higher. You will need a large, open building and an architect to help properly plan the space.
Cons of Owning a Bounce House Business
Like with any business, the bounce house rentals world is chock full of largely unforeseeable and unavoidable mishaps that will surely upset even the most chipper business owners amongst us. And these circumstances simply can’t be dodged, either! Here are a few cons associated with owning a bounce house business in the United States.
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Accidents Happen
Indeed, accidents happen with bounce houses especially when kids are involved. Children can accidentally collide with one another or suffer bumps and scrapes. And grownups playing around in a bounce house for adults are just as susceptible to these sorts of accidents, too. However, you can implement the correct measure to steer them clear of accidents.
Ground the inflatable device correctly while installation, ensure that the generator is never out of gas and the electric cord remains plugged as long as children are playing on it. Also, check out for tiny holes on the surface where children can get trapped.
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Always Requires Continuous Adult Supervision
It is always important you have at least one adult keeping an eye on the bounce house or slide. Contact member of the family, neighbours, or ask the other moms and dads if they would be willing to volunteer if needed.
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Seasonal and Climate Issues
Irrespective of where you live or your climate, you will invariably be forced to endure a slow period, which might range anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
If you live in moderate, temperate climates, it would be ideal to invest in indoor inflatables too so you can remain profitable all year. But even then, you are going to encounter times of the year where you simply aren’t raking in what you normally do.
Note that this is especially true in January, when the industry always suffers a bit of post – holiday lag. A lot of potential customers are “partied out” from the holiday season. The cold and dangerous road conditions mean people aren’t as keen on going out to events.
- Equipment Damage
Equipment damage is another factor you have to be wary of. Weather can change at the drop of a hat, and your inflatable investments can take a beating in poor conditions. Rowdy event guests and guests violating safety rules can leave equipment beaten up.
It makes sense to pre – emptively invest in repair items and kits, and have long term plans for replacing aging or worn down equipment.
- Physically Challenging
The average weight of a 15 x 15 inflatable is equivalent to 4 – 5 bags of mortar, so it is essential that you have the strength or manpower to deliver the equipment on a regular basis.
Even if you have a storefront filled with inflatable, many of the above requirements remain the same. While you won’t be required to move inflatable from one location to another, much of your business will be on weekends and during the summer. It is advisable you consider getting your entire family involved to ensure ample family time.
Conclusion
While launching your own business can be a challenging venture, it is always a worthwhile journey. It is important to weigh all the pros and cons before you make up your mind. Even though you will have bad days, but you can overcome any kind of tough situation with a firm strategy in place.
An inflatable rental business is an exciting, fun, and cool adventure that lets you spread joy and happiness to the people of your community.