Should I Buy Or Hire A Marquee?

If you have an event, party or trade show coming up, you’ve probably started looking for a marquee. Though when it comes to finding one that suits your needs and fits your budget, is it best to buy or hire a marquee?
It really depends on a variety of factors, including the size and type of marquee you require, the purpose of the marquee, the cost and the location of the event.
To help you make a decision, we’ll take you through the benefits of both buying or hiring a marquee and what you need to consider before you make your purchase.

What do you need to consider when searching for a marquee?

Size, features, and price are all important factors to consider when deciding whether to buy or hire a marquee. You’ll also need to consider the type of event you will be hosting, whether you’ll be hosting more events in the future and how comfortable you feel constructing the marquee yourself.
If you need a marquee for an event or party, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of:

• The marquee
• Lining
• Flooring
• Heating
• Lighting
• Decoration
• Furniture
• Delivery/assembly/disassembly costs (if hiring)

Note these down or keep them in your mind as we go on to explain the general costs of hiring or buying a marquee.

How much does it cost to hire a marquee?

Hiring a marquee can cost anything between £100 – £1,000+, however this will usually only cover the marquee itself, and not the additional extra features or transportation costs.
Depending on the size, the average prices for marquee hire are:

• 3x3m: £100 per day
• 4x6m: £250 per day
• 4x8m: £300 per day
• 6x12m: £680 per day
• 9x12m: £800 per day
• 6x24m: £1,000 per day

Once you’ve identified the cost of the marquee, you’ll need to factor in the costs of any additional extras.
The average prices for the hire of additional extras are:

• Lining: between £40 – £350+ per day
• Flooring: between £50 – £1,200 per day
• Lighting: from £20 per globe light
• Heating: between £30 – £130 per heater, per day
• Furniture: between £5 – £10 per item, per day
• Transportation and assembly: £80 – £200

All prices will vary depending on the size of the marquee and location of your event, but it should give you a good idea of how the total cost can be broken down.

Some benefits of hiring a marquee include:

• You can use the marquee for a single event and then hand it back
• You don’t have to worry about storage or cleaning
• The marquee company will transport, set up and take down the marquee for you
• The marquee company will be responsible for sorting any issues, such as leakages

How much does it cost to buy a marquee?

Prices for marquees vary depending on the size and type of marquee, though generally speaking, prices start at around £300 for one of the smallest marquees.
Depending on the size, the average prices to buy a marquee at Gazeboshop are:

• 3x3m: from £329
• 3×4.5m: from £385
• 4x4m: from £509
• 3x6m: from £519
• 4x8m: from £899

The average prices for the purchase of additional extras are:

• Lining: between £100 – £2,000 (depending on marquee size)
• Flooring: between £30 – £600 (depending on marquee size)
• Lighting: from £44.95 per LED light
• Heating: from £120 per heater
• Furniture: from £59 for a table, from £64 for a pair of chairs

Some benefits of buying a marquee include:

• You have more control over the size and shape
• You have more flexibility over the type of material and colour
• You can use the marquee for multiple events
• You won’t need to pay admin, transportation or a damage waiver

The verdict: should you buy or hire a marquee?

Generally, hiring a marquee is more expensive than buying a marquee in the long-term, but renting a marquee may be a more convenient option if you do not have the space or the resources to construct a marquee yourself.

It’s recommended to hire a marquee if:

• You only need the marquee in the short-term
• You aren’t confident in transporting or assembling a marquee
• You don’t need to customise the marquee
• You need a quick solution

Perfect for: weddings, one-off parties, last minute decisions

It’s recommended to buy a marquee if:

• You’ll need the marquee for more than one event
• You want to save money in the long-term
• You want to customise the marquee with a brand name or print
• You would like to hire out the marquee when you’re not using it

Perfect for: frequent parties, trade events, market stalls

Find your marquee at Gazeboshop

Whether you’re in need of a durable shelter for a trade event, party or wedding, purchasing a marquee or gazebo gives you more flexibility over your choice and the ability to repurpose it for later use all year round – saving you money in the long-run.
You can learn more about what size gazebo you need to purchase in our helpful guide or you can contact our friendly team for guidance and advice.