1. Start with units that rent every weekend
A classic bounce house and a combo unit (bounce plus slide) cover most kids' parties. Water slides add summer demand. Buy commercial-grade units from established manufacturers; residential units aren't built for daily rental use.
- Each unit needs a blower, stakes or sandbags, a ground tarp, and a cleaning kit.
- Check the manufacturer's space, anchoring, and wind limits; you'll need them for your setup rules.
- A trailer or van that fits your largest unit, plus a hand truck or dolly.
2. Know your state's rules and get insured
Some states, including Texas, treat inflatables as amusement rides with inspection and insurance requirements. Look up your state's rules before your first rental.
Get general liability insurance that specifically covers inflatables; many policies exclude them unless listed. Some venues, parks, and schools will ask you to name them on a certificate of insurance.
3. Waivers and safety rules on every booking
Have every customer sign your rental agreement and an inflatable safety waiver before the unit goes up, and give them the safety rules: adult supervision at all times, age and size groups kept together, no shoes or sharp objects, and taking everyone off in high wind or rain.
Signing online at booking is far more reliable than chasing a signature on a windy lawn. Have a local attorney review your waiver wording; enforceability varies by state.
4. Price for the whole job
Price includes the unit, delivery and setup, and the cleaning after. Many companies offer day rates with a set window (say, 8 hours), a free delivery radius, and add-ons like concession machines, tables, and generators. Use the ROI calculator to see how many rentals each unit needs to pay for itself.
5. Make Saturdays run themselves
- Book online with deposits. Parents book late at night. Let them pick a unit, see real availability, sign, and pay a deposit.
- Block setup and cleanup time. Leave room around each rental for travel, setup, teardown, and cleaning.
- Use one delivery sheet. Every stop with the address, unit, blower, anchors, surface notes, and whether the waiver is signed.
6. Get found by local parents
Most bookings start with a search like "bounce house rental near me." Claim your Google Business Profile, post real photos of your setups, ask every customer for a review the morning after, and give each town you serve its own page with real local details.