Should you rent or buy a canopy tent?

Are you still undecided whether to rent or buy a canopy tent? 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 canopy tent several times a year for parties, events and club activities held periodically. In such cases, constant renting of a new canopy tent can soon put a strain a club’s finances.

The average price of a high-quality 13x20ft canopy tent, offered by a rental company, is €250 per day, while purchasing a canopy tent of the same size and quality costs about €1950. An owned canopy tent 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 canopy tent 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 canopy tent, 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 canopy tent, you can simply buy a spare part and repair it.

Anyone who requires a simple, understated color for their canopy tent can easily opt for a white one from a rental company. But what if you want a specific color or a canopy tent in the colors 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 canopy tent sold directly by the manufacturer.

Rental canopy tents 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 canopy tent that is colored or personalized 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 canopy tent 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 canopy tent of poor quality and dubious origin. If the canopy tent 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 canopy tent 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 canopy tent, 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 canopy tent 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 canopy tents: dirt, dents or other damage can quickly make the whole location or stand look cheap and neglected.

How do you recognize quality, especially if you have no experience with canopy tents?
There are basic standards that any high-quality canopy tent should meet: every canopy tent 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 canopy tent 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 canopy tents and that their quality is certified. If unforeseen events should occur despite this, Ecotent offers several warranties, spare parts and a flexible service.

Many canopy tent rental companies deliver directly to the event site, some at an additional charge and some without. Depending on the size of the canopy tent, 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 canopy tents, 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 canopy tents 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 canopy tent, it’s a good idea to gather important information in advance to avoid any nasty surprises.

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

3. Personalizations, colors 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.