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Should you rent or buy for your event in Maine?
Planning an event in Maine? Find out when it’s smarter to rent or buy tables, chairs, and tents — and make your day easier and more affordable.
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Factors to Consider Before Renting or Buying
Event size - How many guests are attending your event? Larger events almost always favor renting equipment. Buying tables, chairs, or tents can cost five to ten times more than renting. And when you’re planning for 50–250 guests, you probably don't have all those chairs and tables hanging out in your basement.
Event Frequency - How often are you hosting events? If this is just a one-time event like a wedding, from a cost standpoint it likely does not make sense to purchase the equipment at all. If you're a corporation, or non-profit organization and hosting ten or more events per year, it might make more sense.
Storage space - If you're renting equipment, Event Rent ME handles the storage and transportation of equipment. Party rental supplies take up a lot of space in the basement, shed, or shipping container. If you don't already have storage, that would be an additional expense to consider if you were going to purchase the equipment.
Setup and cleanup - Never underestimate the time and effort it takes to set up more than 100 chairs and carry tables 500 feet to their spots. Then comes cleaning, folding, stacking, and storing everything. There are a lot of hidden hours in the party rental world. If you’re thinking about buying equipment, you need to factor in manhours, plus insurance and safety measures for your guests. Large party tents also require specialized tools like stake drivers, pullers, frame jacks, and dollies; all equipment that our staff at Event Rent ME uses to make setup safe and efficient.
Budget - Everyone has a budget, and if you host smaller events frequently and have the storage space, time, and money, it can make sense to purchase some of your own equipment. But for larger, one-time events; like weddings, graduation parties, milestone birthdays, anniversary celebrations, or corporate appreciation events — renting is usually more cost effective. You avoid the upfront cost, storage headaches, and setup hassle while still getting the exact equipment you need for the day.