Home-Based costume rental by appointment

Party hosts, parents, school drama clubs, community theatre groups, and workplaces planning themed events.

Rental fee per costume per hire period, plus a refundable damage deposit and cleaning or late fees. Group bookings for a whole cast or party bring bigger orders.

• Organizing stock and bookings
• Basic sewing and repairs
• Customer service
• Eye for period and themed styles

• Check with your municipality whether a home-based business licence or zoning approval is needed, especially if customers visit
• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for your stock, and check how your home insurer treats business use
• Cleaning and storage of worn items, including hygiene and pest control
• Peak season is October, so cash flow can be uneven the rest of the year
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold, and check provincial rules

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on the size of your costume collection, storage and insurance. Check these estimates against what you plan to buy or make.

Things to check: whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or zoning approval, especially if customers visit, liability and stock insurance, how your home insurer treats business use, and GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on your collection and bookings. It is estimated at a minimum of about 8 hours a week. Peak season is October, so cash flow can be uneven.