Compare your options
Party Rental Store vs Full-Service Event Rental House
Short answer: Party rental stores rent by the piece, often with a fixed rental period and a delivery fee, and suit backyard parties and kids' events. Full-service rental houses carry upscale tableware, specialty chairs and linens, handle setup, and may set order minimums, so they suit weddings and galas. Many events mix both.
What changes
One type for everything vs matched by item
Before
One type for everything
- Bounce-house store for a black-tie dinner
- Luxury house minimum for a birthday
- Paying for service you don't need, or missing it
After
Matched by item
- Standard pieces from a by-the-piece store
- Specialty chairs and china from a full-service house
- Setup where it matters
- One list across both
What we found in Chicago price lists
Party-focused stores in our research publish prices for inflatables, games, concessions, tables and chairs, often for a set rental period with overtime charged hourly.
Full-service houses publish upscale tableware and specialty chairs (one has a public 2026 price guide), or quote only, and some list order minimums, mandatory damage protection and non-refundable deposits.
Side by side
| Party rental store | Full-service rental house | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Backyard parties, kids' events, picnics | Weddings, galas, corporate dinners |
| Pricing | Usually published, by the piece | Published price guide or quote only |
| Rental period | Often a fixed period with hourly overtime | Often a day rate, multi-day by quote |
| Setup | Drop-off common | Setup and breakdown often offered |
| Minimums | Rare | Some set them |
FAQ
Questions people ask
Can I rent from a party store and a full-service house for the same event?
Yes, and many planners do. The work is coordinating two deliveries; one combined proposal handles that.
Which is cheaper for chairs?
For standard folding chairs, party stores are usually cheaper per piece. For Chiavari, cross-back or ghost chairs, full-service houses carry more choice.
Do party stores deliver and set up?
Some deliver, but most expect you to pick up and return items yourself, and few set up. Full-service rental houses deliver, set up and collect, which matters for large orders, tents and heavy furniture.
Free quote · no obligation
Get the right mix on one list
We route each item to the kind of rental house that fits it, and show the total.
- Live pricing as you pick
- Delivery & setup included in quote
- One contact for every vendor
- Reply within one business day
