HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How to hire an event furniture supplier in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Event furniture hire needs no licence in the UK. Here is what to check, what to ask and what the quote must say.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring an event furniture supplier in five steps

  1. Plan the layout firstGuest numbers, table shapes and spacing before asking the event furniture supplier.
  2. Check accessLifts, stairs and delivery times at the venue.
  3. Read the damage termsWhat counts as damage and how the deposit is returned.
  4. Ask if VAT is includedAnd delivery and setup.
  5. Get it in writingItems, numbers and times.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

The law in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland sets no licence, register or qualification for event furniture hire firms. Damage, loss and delivery terms are where hires go wrong.

Get recent references and a written booking from the event furniture supplier before money changes hands.

Public liability insurance for the event furniture supplier

No law sets an insurance level for this work, but venues commonly name a public liability figure for every supplier. Venues may ask the event furniture firm for cover before it delivers and sets up.

Ask the event furniture supplier to send the policy schedule straight to the venue, checking the amount against what the venue asked.

Trader status and cancellation terms

Hiring an event furniture supplier from a business means dealing with a trader; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the service must show reasonable care and skill. Because regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 excludes catering and leisure services booked for a set date or period, a change of heart after booking is usually governed by the event furniture supplier's own terms, not a statutory 14 days.

Before paying a deposit, find the clause on what the event furniture supplier keeps if you cancel or move the date. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Event furniture hire, with delivery and setup, is standard-rated at 20%. Event furniture hire firms whose taxable turnover passes £90,000 must register, charge VAT and show it as its own line on the quote and invoice.

Ask the furniture hire firm for its VAT number and check prices are shown with the 20% as its own line. gov.uk →

“Can you plan the layout for our numbers?”

A good answer: An event furniture supplier who asks about the room and table shapes.

“What counts as damage on return?”

A good answer: Clear examples from the event furniture firm, and a damage waiver if offered.

“Is setup and clear-down included?”

A good answer: Yes or no, priced.

“Is VAT included in the prices?”

A good answer: A clear answer on the furniture quote.

“When will you deliver and collect?”

A good answer: Times agreed with the venue.

“Is there a minimum order?”

A good answer: A figure in writing.

“Can I see the actual furniture?”

A good answer: Photos of the event furniture stock, not catalogue images.

Getting the quote right

  • Each furniture item, number and style
  • Linen and tableware, if any
  • Delivery, setup and clear-down
  • Damage deposit or waiver
  • Cancellation terms
  • The furniture firm's VAT number, with VAT under hire, delivery and the damage waiver
  • Who actually attends to deliver, set up and clear the furniture, and whether they are employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • Vague damage terms from the event furniture supplier
  • Prices that do not say whether VAT is included
  • No delivery time agreed
  • Catalogue photos only
LOW
£120
TYPICAL
£200
HIGH
£850

What an event furniture supplier costs: £120–£850 per event

Event furniture hire is priced per item, with delivery, setup, linen and damage waivers adding to the per-event total. Furniture Hire for Events 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 furniture hire firms 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.

  1. OrderThe event furniture supplier confirms items, numbers and layout.
  2. DeliveryItems arrive at the agreed time and access point.
  3. SetupRoom laid out to the plan if booked.
  4. EventFurniture used; damage noted if it happens.
  5. CollectionItems counted and collected.

Chiavari chair
A light wooden or resin chair common at weddings.
Poseur table
A tall table for standing guests.
Damage waiver
A fee that covers minor damage.
Trestle table
A folding rectangular table.
Minimum order
The least the firm will deliver.
Setup
Laying out furniture to the plan.

AFTER

When the job is done

Count items backCount furniture with the supplier at collection.
Photograph any damageBefore collection, so any charge can be checked.
Chase the depositIn writing if late.
Leave the reviewTell the next host how the event furniture supplier did; Locufy reviews come only from real bookings. If something went wrong, the make-it-right step comes first: the event furniture supplier is asked to put it right before the review goes live.

STEP 1Put it to the event furniture supplier in writingWrite down what went wrong — missing items, late delivery, damaged furniture delivered — and what would put it right, then send it by email or message. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (section 49) the event furniture supplier owed you reasonable care and skill, and if an event cannot be repeated the remedy is money off, which can be the full fee.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the event furniture supplier below four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through, then your review is published.
STEP 3Free consumer adviceComplaints about event furniture hire firms have no regulator to go to. If the trader will not engage, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) covers England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) covers Scotland, and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) covers Northern Ireland; each can pass a complaint about event furniture hire firms to Trading Standards.
STEP 4Money the event furniture supplier will not returnA claim against an event furniture supplier can go to court without a solicitor: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in the sheriff court in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring an event furniture supplier: questions people ask

None applies anywhere in the UK. The protection is the written hire agreement for the event furniture supplier, backed by the firm's public liability cover.

Not by law. Venues usually insist on it, so get their figure and then a copy of the certificate for the event furniture supplier.

£120 to £850 per event, typically around £200. For the factors behind the range, open the furniture hire for events price guide; for real prices, search your area above.

The hire terms decide; read them and consider a damage waiver.

Ask; quotes from VAT-registered firms may show prices before the 20% VAT.

Many do, for a charge.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in events & entertainment

How to hire: Chair Cover HireHow to hire: Marquee HireHow to hire: Tipi HireHow to hire: Event DecoratorHow to hire: Backdrop & Drapery HireHow to hire: Event Lighting HireHow to hire: Wedding PlannerHow to hire: Event PlannerAll 701 hiring guides →

Event furniture hire firms near you

Event furniture hire firms in LondonEvent furniture hire firms in ManchesterEvent furniture hire firms in BirminghamEvent furniture hire firms in GlasgowEvent furniture hire firms in BelfastAll event furniture hire firms on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts the cancellation right does not cover
  2. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  3. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  4. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  5. nidirect — small claims process
  6. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue (England)
  7. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  8. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register