Party and catering equipment rental from home

Backyard party hosts, small caterers, food truck operators doing events, churches, schools and community groups.

Per-item rental fees for a day or weekend, plus delivery and pickup charges. Packages (for example, 50-guest party kit) raise the average order.

• Organizing and keeping track of inventory
• Safe lifting and loading
• Customer service and clear communication
• Basic bookkeeping

• Check whether your city or county allows a home-based business with inventory storage and customer deliveries (home occupation permit, HOA or lease rules)
• General liability insurance and coverage for your stored equipment and any vehicle used for delivery
• Check whether your state requires sales tax collection on rentals, as rules differ by state
• Sanitizing food-contact items between rentals; check local health department guidance
• Damaged or lost items: use a rental agreement and consider a deposit

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how much starter stock you buy, such as tables, chairs, linens and serving gear, and what you need for delivery.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on the size of your inventory, how many events you supply and your pricing. This is revenue before costs such as insurance and replacing damaged items.

Check whether your city or county allows home-based inventory storage and deliveries, including home occupation permits and HOA or lease rules. Also check state sales tax on rentals, insurance for stored equipment and vehicles, and local health guidance on sanitizing.