The Complete Guide to Buying Commercial Inflatables in the UK
Whether you're thinking about starting a bouncy castle hire business, expanding an existing fleet or moving into larger event equipment, buying the right commercial inflatables can have a major impact on the success of your business.
With so many different bouncy castles, slide combos, obstacle courses, inflatable games and specialist products available, knowing where to start isn't always straightforward.
In this guide, we'll answer some of the questions we're regularly asked by both new and established inflatable operators.
You can also visit our Commercial Inflatable Knowledge Hub for more guides, safety information and answers to common inflatable industry questions.
How much does a commercial bouncy castle cost?
Commercial inflatable prices vary significantly depending on the size, design, features and specification of the product.
A traditional children's bouncy castle will generally cost considerably less than a large obstacle course, adult inflatable or showman's attraction.
However, purchase price shouldn't be your only consideration.
If you're operating an inflatable hire business, the equipment you're purchasing is ultimately an income-producing asset.
It's therefore worth considering:
You can compare different options in our commercial bouncy castles for sale section or browse our in-stock commercial inflatables.
What is the best bouncy castle for a new hire business?
There's no single inflatable that's right for every new business.
The best starting equipment will depend heavily on the area you're operating in and the type of customers you're targeting.
For many new operators, versatility is particularly important.
Traditional commercial bouncy castles can be useful because they're suitable for many birthday parties, gardens and indoor venues.
Another option is our Velcro bouncy castle range.
Interchangeable artwork can allow the same inflatable to cover several different themes, potentially making the equipment useful to a wider range of customers.
For operators wanting something with additional play value, bouncy castle and slide combos combine bouncing and sliding within one inflatable.
How much money do you need to start a bouncy castle hire business?
The answer depends entirely on the scale at which you want to start.
Some businesses begin with only a small number of carefully selected inflatables and reinvest as bookings increase.
Others launch with a much broader fleet from the beginning.
Importantly, your starting budget needs to cover more than just bouncy castles.
Depending on your business and equipment, you may also need blowers, pegs, anchorage equipment, an anemometer, manometer, electrical equipment, insurance, transportation, storage and advertising.
We've created dedicated bouncy castle business start-up packages to make this process easier.
If you're completely new to the industry, we'd also recommend reading our guide for customers new to the inflatable industry.
How many inflatables should you start with?
More isn't automatically better.
A smaller fleet containing several different types of equipment can sometimes give a new operator more opportunities than owning several very similar inflatables.
For example, your fleet could eventually contain a mixture of:
A traditional castle for birthday parties.
A slide combo for customers wanting additional play value.
A lower-height product suitable for indoor venues.
An obstacle course for larger events.
The objective is to gradually create a fleet that covers different customers, venues and price points.
Our commercial inflatable package deals are designed for businesses wanting to purchase several complementary products together.
Which inflatables provide the best return on investment?
This is one of the most important questions an inflatable hire company can ask.
The most expensive inflatable isn't necessarily the most profitable.
Likewise, the cheapest inflatable isn't necessarily the best investment.
Consider how many realistic booking opportunities a product could generate.
An inflatable that works for birthday parties, schools, community events and indoor venues could potentially have a very different utilisation rate from a specialist attraction.
Popular themes, practical dimensions and interchangeable artwork can also increase the number of customers an inflatable could appeal to.
Bouncy castle or slide combo – which should you buy?
Both have their place in a commercial hire fleet.
Traditional castles are extremely versatile and can often fit into spaces where larger equipment cannot.
A slide combo gives customers additional play value by combining a bouncing area and slide within the same product.
For many operators, the answer isn't necessarily choosing one or the other.
As the business grows, having both can allow you to offer customers different products at different price points.
View our complete range of bouncy castle and slide combos.
Are obstacle courses worth buying?
For the right hire company, absolutely.
Commercial inflatable obstacle courses can open opportunities beyond traditional children's birthday parties.
They can be particularly attractive for:
Schools, galas, community events, corporate events, festivals, larger private parties and other high-footfall events.
Before purchasing one, consider its packed size and weight as well as its inflated dimensions.
Larger equipment may require additional staff, storage capacity and suitable transportation.
Should you buy adult inflatables?
Adult and larger inflatables can allow an established hire company to expand into additional markets.
Potential customers can include weddings, universities, corporate events, festivals and adult parties.
Larger equipment can also help differentiate your business from competitors primarily offering children's castles.
Take a look at our adult and large commercial inflatable range.
What are showman's inflatables?
Showman's equipment generally sits at the larger end of the commercial inflatable market.
These can include giant playbeds, large slides, obstacle courses and other high-capacity attractions designed for larger events and high-footfall environments.
They require considerably more planning around transportation, setup, staffing and storage than a standard garden bouncy castle.
Browse our Showman's inflatables to see the different types of equipment available.
What does EN14960 mean?
Anyone entering the commercial inflatable industry is likely to encounter the term EN14960.
BS EN 14960 is an important safety standard covering aspects of inflatable play equipment including design, manufacture, operation, inspection and testing.
Operators should understand the requirements relevant to the equipment they're purchasing and operating.
We've created a dedicated Inflatable Health & Safety information section containing further information.
You can also read our guide explaining what EN14960 is and how it protects the inflatable industry.
What equipment do you need with a commercial inflatable?
Buying the inflatable is only part of setting up professionally.
Depending on the product and where you're operating it, additional equipment may include:
Many of these products are available through our commercial inflatable accessories department.
Why do inflatable operators need a manometer?
A manometer allows an operator to measure the internal pressure of an inflatable.
Pressure is an important factor in the safe operation and structural stability of inflatable play equipment.
Operators should understand the pressure requirements for their equipment and follow the appropriate manufacturer's instructions and industry guidance.
More information can be found within our Inflatable Health & Safety section.
Why do inflatable operators need an anemometer?
An anemometer measures wind speed.
When commercial inflatables are being operated outdoors, weather conditions must be properly monitored.
It's important not to rely simply on how windy it feels.
Operators should understand the permitted wind conditions for their equipment and monitor conditions appropriately throughout an outdoor hire or event.
Can commercial bouncy castles be used indoors?
Many can.
Indoor bookings can be particularly useful to hire businesses because they can generate work when outdoor conditions aren't suitable.
The biggest consideration is usually space.
Always check the complete inflated dimensions of the product against the available floor area and ceiling height of the venue.
Lower-height designs can therefore be extremely useful additions to a hire fleet.
How long should a commercial inflatable last?
There's no universal lifespan for a commercial inflatable.
Two identical products could have very different working lives depending on how they're operated and maintained.
Factors include:
How frequently they're hired, transportation, setup practices, cleaning, storage, maintenance and how quickly minor damage is repaired.
Looking after your equipment isn't simply about appearance – it can help protect the assets that generate revenue for your business.
How should commercial inflatables be stored?
Where possible, commercial inflatables should be stored clean and dry in a secure environment.
Packing equipment away wet for prolonged periods can contribute to mould and deterioration.
The weight of larger commercial inflatables should also be taken seriously.
Correct lifting, moving and transportation procedures can protect both the inflatable and the people handling it.
We've produced a separate guide covering how to transport and handle commercial inflatables safely and efficiently.
Can commercial inflatables be repaired?
In many cases, yes.
Commercial inflatable equipment will naturally experience wear during its working life and many types of damage can be professionally repaired.
The correct approach depends on the location and type of damage.
Having access to replacement materials and components can also help extend the useful working life of equipment.
Take a look at our inflatable manufacturing materials and components.
What are the best inflatables for schools and larger events?
The requirements of an event can be very different from those of a children's garden party.
Schools, galas, festivals and community events may benefit from attractions with higher throughput and broader age appeal.
Popular options can include:
Inflatable slides
Obstacle courses
Adult and large inflatables
Showman's inflatables
When choosing larger equipment, consider capacity, available space, transportation, staffing and setup requirements as well as the purchase price.
Should you buy the cheapest commercial inflatable you can find?
Price matters, but it shouldn't be viewed in isolation.
For a hire company, an inflatable is a business asset that's expected to generate revenue repeatedly.
Before making a purchase, consider commercial build quality, suitability, testing, warranty, support, replacement parts, repairability and likely demand.
A slightly higher initial investment can sometimes represent better value if the equipment generates more bookings or remains commercially useful for longer.
Choosing your next commercial inflatable
There's no perfect inflatable fleet because every hire business operates in a slightly different market.
The strongest fleets tend to develop around the customers they're actually serving.
Look at what's being requested in your area, which products your competitors offer, what sizes work in local venues and which enquiries you're currently having to turn away.
Then invest accordingly.
Better Bounce supplies commercial inflatables for businesses ranging from first-time operators to established hire companies and showmen.
You can explore:
Commercial Bouncy Castles
Start-Up Packages
Inflatables In Stock
Package Deals
Slide Combos
Obstacle Courses
Adult & Large Inflatables
Showman's Inflatables
Accessories
More Commercial Inflatable Advice
This article covers some of the most common questions we receive, but there's much more to running and growing an inflatable business.
We've therefore created the Better Bounce Commercial Inflatable Knowledge Hub, where you can find answers to common questions about choosing, buying, operating and maintaining commercial inflatable equipment.
Whether you're purchasing your first bouncy castle or expanding an established fleet, our aim is to provide useful information that helps you make informed buying decisions.
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