Buying Equipment Considerations for Starting a Bounce House Business.

Inflatable Material and Construction.

You shouldn't buy a bounce house on looks alone. The strength and durability of the material and how that material is stitched together will determine how long your units will last. The type and thickness of the material should be at minimum 18oz vinyl and be flame retardant. The stitching of the material should be reinforced at the seams and pressure points. Double stitching of seams and reinforcing material with triple stitching or more at pressure points. Also, be sure to check the design and quality of the material used in the netting. The netted sides of a bounce house can receive a good work out.

Size and Weight.

Bounce houses vary in size with typical rental units having a foot print measuring 13' x 13' or 15' x 15'. The bigger units bring in more per rental but if the homes in your target area have smaller yards you might be better off buying the smaller units. The weight of your inflatables should be a consideration especially if you plan on delivering and setting them up by yourself. A 13' x 13' bounce house typically weighs in the area of 160 pounds with a 15' x 15' being closer to 200 pounds. Loading into your delivery vehicle and getting from the vehicle to the setup area with a heavy inflatable will possibly require more than one person.

Other Types of Inflatables.

You might like to consider having other types of inflatables in your inventory. A bounce house and slide combo unit generally brings in more per hour for a rental. Interactive inflatables such as boxing rings, gladiator jousts, bungee runs and velcro walls are crowd-pleasing favorites at school carnivals and church functions as well as home birthday parties. Slides are also popular. A water slide can be your big money maker during those hot summer months. When buying a slide you can choose between a dry slide, water slide or a slide that can be used both ways. These slides have different landing areas which corresponds to their purpose. Keep in mind that these are usually heavier units and can become quite heavy and laborious when they have been used with water.

Manufacturer 'Add-Ons'.

When you are researching manufacturers and comparing prices, be sure to figure in just exactly what the bounce house comes with for that price. Some prices do not include the cost of an entrance step. A step on your units ensures that the smaller children can enter and exit the bounce house more safely. Adding an entrance step later on can be more expensive. Also, does the price include the blower motor needed to keep the bounce house inflated? A blower included, as long as it is of the proper power to inflate the unit, can save you on having one shipped separately later on.

What Other Equipment is Needed?

Along with the blower motor, there are other essential pieces of equipment needed for the proper setup of a bounce house. You will need to secure the unit from moving after it has been inflated. This can be accomplished with either stakes or sandbags at the designated tie-down points on your inflatable. Anchor stakes can either be supplied with your bounce house purchase or can be obtained from any of the major home improvement centers. The manufacturer of your inflatable may also have sandbags available for purchase. These typically are constructed out of vinyl with velcro closures to enable you to easily fill with sand, Also, the sandbags should have an attachment ring or nylon strap which allow you to use a "D" ring type clip to attach them to the inflatable tie-down points. Heavy-Duty tarps will be needed whenever you setup your inflatable on a rough surface. The bottom of the inflatable needs to be protected from punctures and abrasions. It is recommended to use at least 18oz fire-retardant vinyl tarps.