Party sound, lighting and projector hire

Individuals planning parties, weddings and garden events, plus community groups, schools and small local businesses.

A daily or weekend hire fee per item or package, plus optional delivery, set-up and a refundable deposit.

• Basic knowledge of audio and lighting kit
• Organised bookings and stock records
• Clear, friendly customer service

• Public liability insurance and cover for your stock, including when it is out on hire
• Whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to storing stock and customers collecting from home
• Electrical safety: check whether equipment needs regular PAT testing before it goes out
• Damage, loss or theft, so take deposits and keep photo records of kit condition at hand-over
• Any music licensing that applies to your customers' events, which you may want to point them towards

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how much audio, lighting and projection kit you buy, your insurance and storage. Buying gradually as bookings come in may help keep costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £2,000, depending on the size of your hire stock, your prices and how many bookings you get. Around 5 hours a week or more is a typical starting point.

Check public liability and stock insurance, including when kit is on hire, and whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to storage and collections. Also check whether equipment needs regular PAT testing before it goes out.