Idea PlannerStarting tent, decoration and event supplies: what to find out
Questions to answer and numbers to collect before you put money in.
No earnings or costs are stated here, because they depend on your place and on you. This page lists what to find out.
Who might buy
Families and shops that hold functions, schools, local groups.
What you usually need to start
items for hire, storage space, a vehicle, helpers on the day. Get quotes for each before you decide.
Rules to ask about
Ask the authority about permissions needed to put up structures, rules on noise and fire safety, and insurance for damage. This site does not state the rules.
The main risks
Work is seasonal, items get damaged, and bookings clash. Storage and transport are costly.
A small first test
Hire out a small set to friends and family and count how many days it is booked and how much comes back damaged.
Numbers to collect from the test
Days booked a month, damage cost, helpers needed, items out of stock on busy dates. Put them into the monthly profit worksheet and the start-up cost worksheet.
Also read questions to ask customers and how to find out what you need.
Keep going
This site states no profit figure, start-up cost, licence requirement or loan scheme: you type your own numbers, and the idea pages list questions to ask and things to measure. Interest rates in the worksheets are typed by you. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Checked 14 November 2026.