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Frequently Asked Questions | Event Hire UK

FAQ's

Q. How does your pricing work?

A. Our pricing is based on the length of time you need the equipment for.  Our 3-Day Rate (1-3 days) gives ample time to set up before and take down afterwards and is the minimum rate.  Our Week Rate (full 7 day period) is also available for longer duration events.  For hires between 4 and 7 days, our week rate will apply.  For a hire duration of over a week and up to a month, our preferential Month Rate will apply. Longer term, seasonal and special event rates are by quotation.  Hire rates do not include VAT.  Weekends (including Bank Holiday weekends) are still charged at the 3-Day rate. We also offer a slight damage waiver fee which means that if your hire equipment get damaged due to normal wear and tear, you won't be liable for the replacement cost.  If you choose this, it is currently set at 2.5 of the value of the hire equipment.  Please note that this does NOT override any replacement costs that you would be liable for should you break the hire equipment beyond repair.

Q. When should I make my reservation?

A. Please order as early as possible in advance of your event, especially for the busy summer and Christmas periods.  We reserve the right to add a premium for orders received less than 7 days prior to any event.

Q. What about changes to my order?

 A. Additions are welcome based on availability.  Small deletions prior to delivery (except for tents) can be accommodated.  Please contact us immediately to notify us of any changes.

Q. Is there a charge for delivery / collection?

A. Delivery and collection are charged in addition to the cost of hiring your equipment.  If you choose to select items online on our website, you will find that approximate transport charges to and from your event postcode location are generated automatically.  These charges are approximate and give you an idea of the likely charges, with the actual transport charge being confirmed on the quotation that we send you.  The actual delivery and collection charges will be dependent upon factors such as the number of vehicles required, any access issues and any out of hours delivery or collection requirements.

We have 5 distribution centres in the UK - London (serving the City of London, Greater London & SE), Walsall (serving the Midlands & SW), Manchester (serving the North West), Middlesbrough (serving the North East) and Bradford (serving the North) so the further away from these hubs you need the equipment delivered, the more the transport charge is likely to be.  

Our standard delivery and collection hours are between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.  If you would rather collect and return the equipment from our distribution centres, that's fine.  We will be happy to help load and unload your vehicle at our hub.

We are occasionally able to accommodate same day and next day delivery requests, although leaving it this late to order is not advisable due to stock availability.  However, please contact us, and we will always endeavour to meet your request.

Q. What type of service can I expect when the delivery takes place?

A. Standard delivery / collection charges are to an easily accessible ground floor entrance.  Our friendly delivery crew will neatly stack all ordered items in a mutually convenient ground floor position, check through the order with you and then ask you to sign a delivery note.  Please feel free to highlight any discrepancies at this point so that we can deal with them quickly and efficiently.  Special containers are provided for china, glassware and cutlery etc, to ensure that you receive your items undamaged, sparkling clean and table ready.

Q. What is my responsibility for equipment return?

A. On collection, tables and chairs should be folded or stacked.  China, glass and cutlery should be cleaned and packed in their respective containers - glasses should be upside down in their crates.  Linen should be dry and placed in bags provided.  Any LPG appliances should be disconnected (following instructions in the Operating & Safety Guides).  Large cooking equipment should be free from food debris.  Water boilers and urns should be emptied (following instructions in the Operating & Safety Guides).  If you don't have access to washing up facilities on site (or simply want to save yourself a job) then we do offer a return dirty service where we will wash your hire items for you for a small additional fee.  Simply make sure that the 'return dirty' checkbox is ticked on the product page and we will take care of the rest - the price for this service is currently 10% of the value of the hire items that require cleaning. Finally, all equipment should be placed in one convenient ground floor pick-up point.  

Q. What happens if something is broken, damaged or missing?

A. Upon return to our sales and distribution centres, your equipment is counted and checked.  We do charge for missing, broken or damaged equipment.  Make certain that equipment is used correctly, secure when not in use and protected from the weather.

Q. How and when do I pay?

A. Payment in full is required to secure your order.  We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, VISA Debit, Maestro, cash, cheque (with accompanying bank card) or electronic bank transfer.  You can either browse our website and put items into a basket and place your order securely online, contact us with your requirements list via our contact page, or simply phone us.  If you place your order online via our website, we use a pre-authorisation system.  This means that your card isn't charged until a member of our sales team goes and either accepts or declines your order.  You will be notified either way by email.  If your order has been declined, then we will cancel this pre-authorised payment.  This might show in your account as a 'pending' transaction, or it may appear that the funds have left your account.  Don't worry, the funds are still at your bank and not with us. These 'ringfenced' monies will simply drop back into your account, normally in around 3-5 days.  If you need to speed up this process, then simply call up your bank and inform them to deposit the money back into your account.

Q: What about large event management? Can you help?

A. Yes we can - we offer a supply and set up service for an additional fee.  Please contact us for more information and discuss your individual specific event requirements.

Q: Can I return my items dirty?

A: Yes you can as we offer a return dirty service for an additional fee which is currently 20% of the value of the hire equipment rental that you have selected.  Simply ensure that the 'return dirty' optional extra box is ticked on the individual product page/s before proceeding.

Q: I am a member of the public and just want to hire some items for a family event at home. Is this possible?

A: Absolutely, yes.  We have clients ranging from large customers who organise major events such as conferences, corporate events, sports events and exhibitions through to members of the public who need to hire tables, chairs, crockery and cutlery for small family occasions at home.  Whatever your requirement, we can help!

Q: How does your hire periods and pricing work at Christmas time?

A: Let's assume that you are having a family Christmas Day at home.  You would place your order in advance and we would deliver your items as close to Christmas Day as possible which would normally be on 23rd or 24th December.  We would then collect from you as soon as possible when we are back open, normally during the period between Christmas and New Year.  In this case, whilst you might only need to hire equipment on our standard 3-Day rate, you would probably have it for a bit longer.  If this is the case, then there would be no additional charge.

Q: What condition will the hire products arrive in?

A: The answer to this is very simple.  All our items are ready for immediate use - glasses, crockery and cutlery are clean ready for your tables and electrical equipment is thoroughly checked and tested prior to dispatch.

Q: Where are your sales and distribution centres?

A: We have five sales and distribution centres across the UK - London (serving the City and the SE), Walsall (serving the Midlands & SW), Bradford (serving the North), Manchester (serving the North West), and Middlesbrough (serving the North East).

Q: Do you price match?

A: During various periods of the year, we offer a price match commitment.  We are confident that the quality, condition and availability of our products, our delivery and collection service and our levels of customer service are one of the best in the industry.  That said, we are happy for you to send us quotes you have received from other companies on like-for-like event hire equipment to enable you to possibly take advantage of our service.  

Q: Do you have a minimum order value?

A: We don't operate a minimum order value as such.

Q: How do I open an account?

A: We do offer credit terms to B2B customers who regularly hire equipment from us.  Please speak to one of our customer service representatives about this.

Q: Does it cost me to make a call to an 0800 number?

A: Calls to 0800 numbers are free from landlines and mobile phones. However, if you prefer, we display local contact numbers for our various sales and distribution centres on our Contact Us page.

how to reach us

National Sales Hotline 0800 533 5429

Event Hire UK London
Sales & Distribution Centre

Units A, B & C, Hanworth Trading
Estate, A312 / Hampton Road West,
Hanworth, Middx, TW13 6DH

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm

Event Hire UK Midlands
Sales & Distribution Centre

HQ & Showroom, Units 1 & 2 Maple
Leaf Industrial Estate, Bloxwich
Lane, Walsall, West Midlands WS2 8TF

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm

Event Hire UK NORTH WEST
Sales & Distribution Centre

Unit 7, Stakehill Industrial Estate
Finlan Road, Manchester
M24 2RW

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm

Event Hire UK NORTH
Sales & Distribution Centre

Unit 14,Cutler Heights Business Park,
Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford,
West Yorkshire BD4 9AW

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 8.15am-5.00pm

Event Refurb & Hire
Sales Centre

Units 5a, 10 & 11, Blithfield Park Farm, Lea Lane,
Admaston, Nr Rugeley, Staffs
WS15 3NL

Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm

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