Rarely do we attend an event, whether it be a birthday party or a fundraiser, where an inflatable bounce house isn’t present. In fact, it’s become so popular that children are hosting birthday parties centering around bounce houses and adults are including bounce houses in their adults-only parties, as well.
Bounce house businesses are generally set up in two different ways. Some people choose to rent bounce houses to customers for a party. Other bounce house businesses are set up to operate out of storefronts, where they fill the space with different inflatables and charge an entrance fee for children.
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Start an inflatable bounce house business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Inflatable Bounce House Business
- Form your Inflatable Bounce House Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Inflatable Bounce House Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Inflatable Bounce House Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Inflatable Bounce House Business
- Get Inflatable Bounce House Business Insurance
- Define your Inflatable Bounce House Business Brand
- Create your Inflatable Bounce House Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your inflatable bounce house business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Inflatable Bounce House Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening an inflatable bounce house business?
Opening an inflatable bounce house rental company requires very little overhead. Each bounce house averages approximately $1,500 in cost and $200 for shipping. Consider investing in at least one combo unit, which will cost you approximately $2,800. You’ll also need to budget for a reliable vehicle, large enough to deliver multiple bounce houses at a time, as well as a trailer, for busier delivery days.
For a storefront location, your costs will be significantly higher. You’ll need a large, open building and an architect to help properly plan the space. The building should be equipped with multiple different types of bounce houses, as well as small rooms for hosting birthday parties. Total investment for franchising opportunities indicate a budget of $166,000 to upwards of $250,000 to open an indoor bounce house establishment.
Once you’ve acquired your space, you can begin stocking your inventory:
- Multiple bounce houses of various sizes – $1,500 to $2,800 each
- Food and drink – tables, chairs, soda machines, kitchen equipment
- Party rooms – equipped with tables, chairs, and decorations
Regardless of which path you take, you’ll need the following items:
- Insurance policy – Speak with a trusted insurance professional, regarding the type of liability coverage your business requires.
- Marketing materials
- Website
What are the ongoing expenses for an inflatable bounce house business?
Again, these costs will vary depending upon how you decide to set up your business. Experienced storefront business owners recommend budgeting for the following items:
- Cleaning supplies
- Labor/payroll costs
- Energy costs
- Marketing
- General Liability insurance
- Business insurance
- Repair and replacement of damaged equipment
As a rental business, you’ll incur the above expenses as well as the following:
- Maintenance and repair of your vehicle
- Fuel
Regardless of which way you decide to structure your business, insurance and payroll costs will represent the largest portion of your budget.
Who is the target market?
While many adults are now hosting parties that include bounce houses, a majority of your business will cater to children who are having birthday parties, graduations, family reunions, other big life events. Churches, businesses, and fundraising events are also a great audience to target in your marketing efforts.
How does an inflatable bounce house business make money?
Inflatable bounce house rental companies generate revenue from each event they deliver a bounce house to. Storefronts charge an entry fee for each child and often host birthday parties for younger children for a group rate.
How much can you charge customers?
Prices vary by region and upon goods and services delivered. Regular inflatables average $125 for a four hour rental, toddler houses average $80 to $250, depending upon your needs, and combo bouncers average $250.
Admission to inflatable storefront locations is $7 to $10 per child, while private parties start at $250 for twenty children. Before setting your prices, research the average prices of similar businesses in the area.
How much profit can an inflatable bounce house business make?
Industry research indicates an average of 1.5 rentals per week, which comes out to $188 per week per bounce house. If you invest in 4 bounce houses, your business will draw in about $750 per week.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Consider some of the below strategies for maximizing your inflatable bounce house profits:
- Offer additional party services, such as slides, interactive games, dunk tanks, carnival attractions, face painting, tents, tables, chairs, sounds equipment, and concessions.
- Indoor establishments could include arcades, laser tag, food, and drinks.
- Indoor establishments can run special events, such as day camps, during summer, Spring break, and Christmas break.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your inflatable bounce house business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your inflatable bounce house business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a bounce house business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Release of Liability
To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, bounce house businesses should have their clients sign a release of liability form. An example of such a waiver can be found here.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your bounce house business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
Certificate of Occupancy
A bounce house business can be run out of a large storefront or large outdoor space. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a 1 (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a space:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a bounce house business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a space:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your bounce house business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Inflatable Bounce House Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Inflatable Bounce House Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market an inflatable bounce house business
Social media is a great way to reach a large number of people. Your marketing goal is to appeal to both children and their parents. This means getting a little creative with the business’ advertising. Consider taking out an ad in school yearbooks throughout the community. Donating your facility or an inflatable for a daycare, school, or church event is a great way to advertise your business while giving back to the community.
How to keep customers coming back
Customer retention comes down to competitive pricing and the quality of goods and services you provide. Consider a referral and repeat customer program, in which individuals or groups receive a reduced rate on rental fees or parties, after a certain number of visits or referrals.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Entrepreneur who is committed to building his/her business and is ready to dedicate their weekends to business activities are best suited for this career path. The average weight of a 15 x 15 inflatable is equivalent to 4-5 bags of mortar, so it is essential that you have the individual strength or manpower to deliver the equipment on a regular basis.
If your dream is to have a storefront filled with inflatables, many of the above requirements remain the same. While you won’t be required to move inflatables from one location to another, much of your business will be on weekends and during the summer. Entrepreneurs with families should consider getting the entire family involved to ensure ample family time.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at an inflatable bounce house business?
It’s a common misconception that your only role as an inflatable bounce house rental company is delivering bounce houses at the agreed upon time. There’s considerably more that goes into this business.
Your weekends will be filled with delivering and picking up bounce houses. During the week, your days will be filled with the following activities:
- Clean, sanitize, and maintain your inflatables.
- If it was a particularly wet weekend, you’ll need to dry out the inflatables to prevent mildew, mold, and odors.
- Repair damaged inflatables and ship ones out that you’re unable to repair yourself.
- Answering phone calls, scheduling reservations, and fielding questions.
- Invoicing and related paperwork.
- Marketing, networking, and administrative duties.
If your vision includes a storefront, you’ll also need to do the following:
- Work with vendors to ensure food and drinks arrive on time and your shelves are fully stocked.
- Oversee staff and ensure they’re properly trained.
- Schedule safety courses for staff.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful inflatable bounce house business?
Due to the significant growth potential, there are a number of individuals seeking business opportunities in this industry. Therefore, strong networking and marketing skills would prove beneficial. It’s important that you understand the demographic you’re catering to and invest in the type of inflatables that best meets their needs. Additionally, strong interpersonal skills, a love of children, and a dedication to the business are also critical to your company’s long-term success.
What is the growth potential for an inflatable bounce house business?
This industry has experienced significant growth over the last decade, with inflatables present at almost every event catering to children. While gaining popularity everywhere, areas with harsh weather offer the most growth potential for storefronts with inflatables. For those interested in significant long-term growth, franchising with well-known organizations such as Monkey Joe’s might offer the greatest potential.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting an inflatable bounce house business?
Successful bounce house business owners offer the following advice:
- Draw up a contract for each customer, ensuring they understand you assume no liability for injury.
- Follow up with each client to ensure they had a positive experience with your company.
- Start out with two to four inflatable houses for your rental company.
- Consider investing in used inflatables to reduce start-up expenses.
- Think carefully before investing in bounce houses that include cartoon characters or other current trends. How long will these characters really be popular? The last thing you want is to be stuck with an unused or unpopular item after only one season.
- To save on initial costs, store inflatables in your garage or rent a small storage space.
- For storefronts, include other activities in addition to bounce houses, like arcade games, table hockey, etc.
- Require a deposit before when your client reserves an inflatable or birthday party room.
How and when to build a team
In this industry, your staff will have a significant impact on your business. For a storefront, you’ll need a fairly large team to ensure everything is safe and secure at all times. Since your guests will all be children, try to build a team of reliable teenagers. Your guests will relate to them better and are more apt to listen to their instructions.
For an inflatable rental business, your staff should include reliable and strong individuals. Each inflatable is heavy and awkward to set up. Customers often need advice regarding where it should be set up, accounting for Mother Nature and ensuring there’s enough space for everyone to safely bounce.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Monkey Joes Franchise opportunity
- Mr. Giggles Franchise opportunity
- Safe Inflatable Operators Training Organization
- Learn about more Family Fun Business Ideas!