Damage waiver
Offered by most rental companies, often around 8-12% of the rental. It covers everyday accidents like wine on a linen or a scuffed chair. It does not cover loss, theft or careless damage. We recommend it for every event.
Payments & protection
Know exactly who you pay, when, and what's protected.
Booking rentals through Beyond Chiavari costs nothing until a rental company confirms your date. Then every price is locked, every vendor is vetted, and one person looks after your event from quote to pickup.
The Booking Promise
Six things we guarantee on every booking
Price lock
The total in the proposal you approve is what you pay for those items. Prices only change if you change your order.
Vetted rental companies
We ask every Chicago-area rental company we book for proof of general liability insurance, and we tell you before you pay if one hasn't provided it yet. We don't issue certificates of insurance ourselves.
Backup guarantee
If your rental company cancels, we find a comparable replacement. If it costs more, we cover the difference up to the full amount of your booking fee. If we can't replace it, your booking fee is refunded.
One person, start to finish
One coordinator handles every vendor, change and question, and replies within one business day.
Free changes until 14 days out
Adjust quantities or swap items free of our charge until 14 days before your event, subject to availability and the rental company's own terms.
72-hour change of heart
Your booking fee is fully refundable for 72 hours after you pay. After that, if you postpone, it moves to your new date within 12 months.
Payments
Who you pay, and when
- Step 1Free quoteBuild your list online. No card, no commitment.
- Step 2Vendor confirmsWe check your date with vetted local rental companies.
- Step 3You approvePay the 10% booking fee securely. Your vendor is locked in.
- Step 4Deposit & contractThe rental company sends its agreement and deposit invoice. We're copied in.
- Step 5Delivered & collectedBalance due before the event. We track delivery and pickup.
| Payment | Amount | Paid to | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quote, planning call and proposal | Free | No one | Any time, no card needed |
| Booking & coordination fee | 10% on top of the rental company's price for your items | Beyond Chiavari | When you approve your proposal, after the vendor confirms your date |
| Rental deposit | Usually 25-50%, set by the rental company | The rental company | At booking, under their rental agreement |
| Balance | Remaining rental, delivery, damage waiver and tax | The rental company | Usually 7-14 days before the event |
| Security deposit (some items) | Varies, refundable | The rental company | Before delivery, returned after pickup |
Damage & insurance
What's covered if something goes wrong
Vendor insurance
We ask every rental company we book for proof of general liability insurance. We don't issue certificates of insurance ourselves, so if your venue asks for one before load-in, tell us before you book and we'll ask the rental company whether it can provide one.
Host event insurance
Some venues require hosts to carry one-day event liability insurance. We'll tell you on your call if yours does and point you to a provider. We don't sell insurance ourselves.
Items are your responsibility between delivery and pickup, under the rental company's agreement. If a damage charge comes up, we review it with the rental company against their published damage schedule. Full details are in our terms.
Questions
Payments and protection, answered
Do I pay anything to get a quote?
No. Quotes, the planning call and your proposal are free. You only pay Beyond Chiavari's booking fee once a rental company has confirmed your date and you approve the proposal.
How does Beyond Chiavari make money?
Prices on our site include a 10% booking and coordination fee on top of the rental company's price. Your proposal shows it as its own line, so you always see the rental company's price and our fee. Some partner rental companies also pay us a referral commission; that never raises your price.
Who do I pay for the rentals themselves?
You pay the rental company that delivers your items, under its own rental agreement: usually a deposit at booking and the balance 7-14 days before the event. We send you their terms before you approve anything.
What if something gets damaged?
Most Chicago rental companies offer a damage waiver, often around 8-12% of the rental, that covers normal accidental damage like stains or a scuffed leg. It doesn't cover loss, theft or careless damage. We recommend it for every event. If there's a damage charge, we review it with the rental company against their published damage schedule.
Does my venue need a certificate of insurance?
Many Chicago venues require one from every vendor. We can't issue or send certificates of insurance to venues yet, so check your venue's rules before you book and tell us what they require. Some venues also ask hosts for one-day event liability insurance, and we'll tell you on your call if yours does.
What if the rental company cancels?
Our backup guarantee kicks in: we find a comparable replacement, cover any price difference up to the full amount of your booking fee, and refund the booking fee if we can't replace your order.
What if I need to cancel or postpone?
Your booking fee is fully refundable for 72 hours after you pay. After that it can move to a new date within 12 months. Deposits paid to the rental company follow its cancellation policy. If you don't accept the rental company's agreement once we share it, your booking fee is refunded in full.
How do I pay?
Our booking fee is paid by card or bank transfer through a secure Stripe payment link. Rental companies take card, check or bank transfer under their own invoices.
Free 15-minute planning call
Not sure what you need, or how much?
- Quantities for your guest count and floor plan
- Which chairs, tables and linens suit your venue
- An honest estimate with delivery and setup itemized
