HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire an event decorator in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
An event decorator in Ireland costs €300–€2,500 per event, typically around €800. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring an event decorator in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers event decorator work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — furniture and Equipment Rental — many event decorators provide rental services for furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, and linens.
- How does complexity of the decor change the price?An unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does size of the event change the price?A large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does materials used change the price?The supplier's price is passed on as it stands. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Lighting Design — proper lighting can transform a venue and set the mood — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a event decorator job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Public liability insurance at the level YOUR VENUE requires — ask the venue first, then the supplier, because the venue sets the number; For anything with a structure or a ride, the inspection or test certificate; A written contract with the date, the hours, the set-up time and the overtime rate; What happens if they are ill — a named arrangement, not reassurance; Whether they have played your venue before, and what the power and access are like; PAT testing on their equipment, which many venues ask to see.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers event decorator work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — furniture and Equipment Rental — many event decorators provide rental services for furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, and linens.
A good answer: An unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The supplier's price is passed on as it stands. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Lighting Design — proper lighting can transform a venue and set the mood — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a event decorator job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and employer's liability if they bring crew — floral Arrangements — incorporating fresh or artificial flowers enhances the aesthetic of any event.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the event decorator starts, and an itemised invoice after — outdoor Event Decorator — specialises in outdoor spaces, addressing challenges such as weather and terrain to create beautiful settings for garden parties or festivals.
Getting the quote right
- Complexity of the decor — an unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted.
- Size of the event — a large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one.
- Materials used — the supplier's price is passed on as it stands.
- Venue accessibility — limited access often needs a second person just to pass things.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: complexity of the decor — an unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted
- They will not talk about it: size of the event — a large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one
- They will not talk about it: materials used — the supplier's price is passed on as it stands
- A price for the event decorator before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the event decorator has begun
What an event decorator costs: €300–€2,500 per event
The figures are for the job, per event, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Wedding decorator and Corporate event decorator each carry their own band. Event Decorator price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Event decorators near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstComplexity of the decor — an unusual brief takes longer to understand before it can be quoted — that is what the event decorator is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneSize of the event — a large job ties up a whole day rather than part of one — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfMaterials used — the supplier's price is passed on as it stands — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherVenue accessibility — limited access often needs a second person just to pass things — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the event decorator is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, look for decorators with relevant qualifications and experience in the specific type of event you are hosting.
- Floral Arrangements
- Incorporating fresh or artificial flowers enhances the aesthetic of any event.
- Lighting Design
- Proper lighting can transform a venue and set the mood.
- Furniture and Equipment Rental
- Many event decorators provide rental services for furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, and linens.
- Wedding Decorator
- Specialises in creating stunning atmospheres for weddings, including floral arrangements, table settings, and venue enhancements.
- Corporate Event Decorator
- Focuses on designing professional settings for corporate events, such as conferences and product launches, to reflect the brand's image.
- Seasonal Decorator
- Offers services to decorate spaces for seasonal events and holidays, incorporating festive elements and designs.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring an event decorator: questions people ask
The cost of hiring an event decorator can vary based on the complexity of the decor, the size of the event, and the materials used. Additional elements such as custom designs, floral arrangements, and specialty lighting can also drive up costs.
While many event decorators are skilled generalists, certain situations may require specialists, especially for intricate lighting or structural decor. Always check qualifications if your event involves regulated electrical or gas work.
Same-day availability for event decorators can be limited, especially during peak seasons. It’s advisable to book in advance, but some decorators may offer emergency services for last-minute events.
Yes, many event decorators offer packages that include various services, such as floral arrangements, furniture rental, and lighting design. This can simplify the planning process and often proves more cost-effective.
Event decorators usually do not handle aspects such as catering, entertainment, or venue management. Their primary focus is on the aesthetic and decorative elements of the event, so these services would need to be sourced separately.
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO DJS, BANDS, MARQUEE HIRERS OR ENTERTAINERS. What exists instead is insurance that venues demand and music licensing that the VENUE normally holds through IMRO and PPI, not the performer.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in events & entertainment
Event decorators near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- CCPC — your rights when you buy a service
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Courts Service — small claims
- Revenue — BUILDING and CONSTRUCTION SERVICES (Private dwellings and Non-residential immovable goods) — Reduced rate
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only