Marquee and event tent hire business

Couples, event planners, venues, businesses, festival organizers and municipalities.

Hire fees by tent size and event length, plus charges for installation, flooring, heating, lighting, and furniture.

• Event logistics and scheduling
• Managing a small crew safely
• Quoting and sales to planners and venues

• Commercial general liability and equipment insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, check your province's rules
• Large tents may need a permit or fire safety review from the municipality, check before each event
• Wind, snow load and rain: tents need proper anchoring and clear cancellation rules
• Tent fabric usually needs to be certified flame retardant, check local fire code requirements
• A vehicle or trailer and storage space are large ongoing costs
• Strong seasonality: summer is busy and winter is slow in most of Canada

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on how much stock you buy, such as tents, flooring, lighting and furniture, plus the vehicle or trailer and storage space you need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your stock, your crew and how many events you book. Summer is busy and winter is slow in most of Canada, so plan for that.

Check your insurance (commercial general liability and equipment cover) and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire. Also check whether large tents need a municipal permit or fire safety review, and whether your tent fabric meets local flame retardant fire code requirements.