Should you rent or buy a  gazebo?

Are you still undecided whether to rent or buy a pop up gazebo? Depending on the location and, most importantly, the frequency of use, the following points may help you make a decision:

Local authorities and associations often find themselves requiring a pop up gazebo several times a year for parties, events and club activities held periodically. In such cases, constant renting of a new gazebo can soon put a strain a club’s finances.

The average price of a high-quality 6x4 m gazebo, offered by a rental company, is €250 per day, while purchasing a gazebo of the same size and quality costs about €1950. An owned gazebo can last decades of years (the duration varies depending on how often you use it; if you use it once a year, you won’t wear it out easily!).
Based on price alone, if you plan to use a gazebo more than seven times in 20 years then it will be more cost-effective to buy it. Also, if, after a few years, you no longer need the gazebo, you can resell it, recovering much of the cost.

In addition, in the event of damage to the frame, rental companies often charge a heavy penalty whereas, with your own gazebo, you can simply buy a spare part and repair it.

Anyone who requires a simple, understated colour for their pop up gazebo can easily opt for a white one from a rental company. But what if you want a specific colour or a gazebo in the colours of an association? Would you like a logo or lettering on the roof or sidewalls? In this case, the only solution is to purchase a gazebo sold directly by the manufacturer.

Rental gazebos often have sponsorship logos printed large on the roof and sidewalls. If you want a fresh look, be sure to discuss this detail with the rental company.

If you are looking for a gazebo that is or personalised with printing, the manufacturer can help you!

A local food event? A fundraiser? Or a marketing event for an environmentally-friendly brand? In these cases, it’s very important to communicate aconsistent image, so your gazebo must be of high quality and ethical manufacture. When dealing with a rental company, it is difficult to trace the manufacturer, and you could end up with a gazebo of poor quality and dubious origin. If the gazebo is made of questionable materials, it is not appropriate to either the company’s values or the target group. Therefore, if the values of sustainability and care for the environment and people are important to you, you should find out the brand name of the pop up gazebo in advance or purchase one sold directly by the manufacturer. A European manufacturer will certainly be better suited to accompany and support your image and values. 

If you choose to rent a pop up gazebo, availability will always be an unknown. Especially for particularly large-sized tents, which are only available in limited numbers, you risk not finding any more in stock for the day of your event. Another unfortunate setback could occur should the previous renter damage the product, rendering it unusable. In addition, accidents could happen any time during transportation.

Purchasing your own tent, on the other hand, gives you a guaranteed delivery time, plus you can keep it safely packed away until the next event. Thanks to its small pack size, it can be stored in less than one square meter and is easy to transport from one place to another. For your next event, you can then simply unpack and open it, with no need to worry about the hassle of remembering to reserve a gazebo in time on each occasion. 

Have you ever driven a rental car? Or borrowed a book? Then you already know that the condition of the product is not always optimal, and unpleasant surprises could be lurking. The same is true of pop up gazebos: dirt, dents or other damage can quickly make the whole location or stand look cheap and neglected.

How do you recognise quality, especially if you have no experience with pop up gazebos?
There are basic standards that any high-quality gazebo should meet: every pop up gazebo should be waterproof, fire retardant and UV-resistant. However, it is often necessary to look closer and compare technical and construction details. A consultant or customer services should be able to answer all your questions.

Renters have nothing to worry about? This is not entirely true. Many rental companies stress that goods must be returned in the same condition in which they were borrowed. People who choose quality textiles and sturdy construction will find it easy to take care of their product, whether purchased or rented. Correct maintenance takes just a few minutes and ensures product longevity.

Do rental companies include a warranty, or is it possible to add one as an optional service? This is often advisable, since the whims of the weather can never be fully predicted. Depending on its quality, wind, heavy rain or especially lively guests can put a pop up gazebo under strain. Who is responsible for damage in such a case? The first thing to do is to make sure you equip yourself with sturdy gazebos and that their quality is certified. If unforeseen events should occur despite this, Ecotent offers several warranties, spare parts and a flexible service.

Many gazebo rental companies deliver directly to the event site, some at an additional charge and some without. Depending on the size of the gazebo, some add an additional charge for set-up or installation. Usually, the conditions for packing away and pick-up are similar. If the rental company is in your area, you can pick it up and return it yourself. For purchased pop up gazebos, it works almost the same way, but you won’t have the costs associated with set-up since this only takes two minutes and you can do it yourself by following the instructions and with no tools. The biggest difference is that purchased gazebos save you a trip since you don’t have to return them!

Here is a brief summary of the key points:

1. If you’re considering renting or purchasing a pop up gazebo, it’s a good idea to gather important information in advance to avoid any nasty surprises.

2. If you only need a pop up gazebo once, or require an unusual size, you can save quite a bit of money by renting it. However, if you plan to use your pop up gazebo several times or are looking for a brand-new gazebo, buying it is the right choice.

3. Personalisations, colours and sizes are only available for purchased ones.

I hope you found this information helpful! If you have more questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to ask.