How to Start a Table and Chair Rental Business

How to Start a Table and Chair Rental Business: A Step-by-Step Guide for Success

The event rental industry is booming—and one of the easiest and most affordable ways to break into it is by starting a table and chair rental business. Whether it’s weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, or backyard barbecues, tables and chairs are always in demand. If you're thinking about launching a business that requires low overhead and high versatility, this could be your golden ticket.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

1. Understand the Market

Before you buy a single folding chair, do some research in your local area. Are there lots of private events, outdoor venues, or party planners? Who are your competitors? What are they charging? You want to get a sense of the demand and price points. Look for gaps in service—maybe nobody’s catering to small events or weekday rentals.

Pro tip: Reach out to local venues, event planners, and caterers. Introduce yourself, ask about their needs, and see how your service could fit in.

2. Start Small, Think Big

You don’t need 500 chairs on Day 1. In fact, you can start with enough for 2–3 events and scale as you grow. A basic starter inventory might look like:

• 100 white plastic folding chairs

• 10 rectangular 6-ft tables

• 5 round 60" tables

• Optional: Linens and chair covers

This setup is affordable, versatile, and can serve birthday parties, showers, and even casual weddings.

Choose commercial-grade products that are durable, lightweight, and stackable to make transport and storage easier.

3. Handle the Logistics

Storage and transportation are key considerations. Even with a small inventory, you’ll need a secure place to store your equipment—like a garage, small warehouse, or storage unit.

You'll also need a reliable way to deliver. Many table and chair rental businesses use:

• Cargo vans

• Pickup trucks with trailers

• Box trucks (for larger setups)

Make sure your delivery vehicle can handle the weight and volume of your inventory. Also, consider investing in carts and dollies to make loading and unloading easier.

4. Set Pricing and Policies

Set clear pricing that reflects the value of your service while staying competitive in your market. Many businesses charge per item, such as:

• Plastic folding chair: $1.25 – $2.00

• 6-ft table: $8.00 – $12.00

• Round 60” table: $10.00 – $15.00

You’ll also want to charge for delivery and pickup, especially if events are outside your service area.

Other important policies to define:

• Damage fees

• Setup/breakdown charges

• Cancellation policy

• Deposit requirements

Clear policies protect your business and help set customer expectations.

5. Build a Brand and Online Presence

Even a small rental business needs strong branding. Come up with a name, logo, and tagline that reflects reliability and professionalism. Then, build a simple but effective website with:

• Product photos and pricing

• FAQ and policies

• Contact form or booking tool

• Testimonials and reviews

Don’t underestimate the power of Google My Business, Instagram, and Facebook to drive local traffic. Post your inventory in action at events, tag vendors, and share behind-the-scenes content to build credibility.

6. Offer Add-On Services

Once you're established, you can boost your revenue by offering extras such as:

• Linen rentals

• Canopies or tents

• Lighting

• Dance floors

• Décor items (arches, table runners, centerpieces)

The more you become a one-stop shop, the more valuable you are to customers—and the higher your profit margins can be.

7. Focus on Service

Your tables and chairs may not be glamorous, but your service should shine. Timely delivery, clear communication, clean inventory, and friendly professionalism go a long way.

Encourage every satisfied customer to leave you a review. Reputation is everything in this industry.

Starting a table and chair rental business doesn’t require a massive investment or special credentials—but it does require hard work, attention to detail, and a customer-first mindset.

Start small, deliver excellent service, and reinvest profits into expanding your inventory. Before you know it, you'll be handling multiple events every weekend and growing into full-scale party rentals.

With the right strategy and consistency, this simple business model can become a sustainable and highly profitable venture.