How we work

How we work with hosts and rental companies

Beyond Chiavari sits between event hosts and local rental companies. Hosts build one quote and pay us a 10% booking fee when they approve it. Rental companies own the items, deliver them and are paid directly by the host under their own agreement. We check dates, put the order together and stay the one contact until pickup.

Start a quote I run a rental company

Gilded ivory tablescape tablescape, styled at an event

Who does what

Three sides, one order

Host

Picks rentals, sends one quote request, approves the proposal.

Beyond Chiavari

Checks dates, puts the order together, coordinates every rental company, handles changes.

Rental company

Owns the items, sets the price, delivers, sets up and picks up.

A host sends one request to Beyond Chiavari. We pass the order to a local rental company, which delivers on the day.

For hosts

How booking works for hosts

Step 1Pick your rentalsBrowse items with prices and build one list for your whole event.
Step 2Send one quote requestDate, venue and guest count. Free, no card needed.
Step 3We check with rental companiesWe confirm your date and send one proposal.
Step 4Approve and pay our feeOur 10% fee secures it. Then we introduce your rental company.
Step 5Delivery, setup, pickupYour rental company delivers. We stay your one contact.

More detail: how booking works and the Booking Promise.

For rental companies

How it works for rental companies

Step 1Sign up onlineCompany, area, schedule, prices. About five minutes.
Step 2We call and checkWithin one business day. You check your listing.
Step 3Get ordersItems, quantities, date and venue, with a quote ID.
Step 4Reply within 4 hoursYes, no, or a suggested swap. No charge for a no.
Step 5Book and deliverYour contract, your deposit, your crew.

More detail: partner program, partner questions and the sign-up form.

Money

Who pays whom, and when

Host Beyond Chiavari
10% booking and coordination fee
When the host approves a proposal a rental company has confirmed
Host Rental company
Deposit, then the balance, damage waiver and tax
Under the rental company's own agreement, usually balance 7-14 days before
Rental company Beyond Chiavari
5% of the rental subtotal (0% in the first 90 days)
Monthly statement, due 15 days after the month of the event

We never hold a rental company's money. Damage, deposits and delivery terms are set by the rental company's own agreement.

Timing

What happens, and how fast

1Quote request arrivesWe reply to the host. Our team replies within one business day.
2Same dayWe call the host to go over the list, then send the order to rental companies that cover that area and date.
3Within 4 business hoursRental companies reply yes, no or with a swap.
4Usually within one business dayThe host gets one proposal with every item, fee and policy listed.
5Host approvesThe host pays our 10% fee and we introduce the rental company, which sends its agreement and deposit invoice.
6Up to 14 days beforeFree changes to quantities, subject to stock. We pass changes to the rental company.
7Event dayThe rental company delivers and sets up. We're on the phone if anything goes wrong.
8After the eventPickup the same night or next morning. We ask the host for a review and log the booking on the partner's monthly statement.

Our rules

What each side can count on

What hosts can count on

Every price on the site includes our fee, and your proposal shows it as its own line
Nothing to pay until a rental company confirms your date
One coordinator for every rental company on your order
Free changes until 14 days before the event
72-hour full refund on our booking fee
We ask every rental company for proof of insurance

What rental companies can count on

You keep your list price, contract, deposit and damage waiver
Orders only in the areas and on the dates you choose
Every order spoken to the host first, with items and quantities
No fee for orders you turn down
No monthly fee and no exclusivity, 30 days' notice to leave
Your name stays off the public site

Questions

About how we work

What is Beyond Chiavari?

A booking service for event rentals in Chicago & suburbs. Hosts build one quote for chairs, tables, linens, tents and more. We check the date with local rental companies, send one proposal, and coordinate delivery, setup and pickup.

Does Beyond Chiavari own the rentals?

No. Established local rental companies own, deliver, set up and collect everything. We find the right companies for your order and look after the booking from start to finish.

Who do I pay?

Hosts pay our 10% booking fee to us, and the rental company's deposit and balance to the rental company. Rental companies pay us a monthly commission only on orders we sent that booked.

Why don't you show rental company names?

So hosts can compare items and prices without twenty phone calls, and so we're paid for the work of putting the order together. Once the host pays our fee, we share the rental company's name, contact and agreement.

What if a rental company cancels?

We find a comparable replacement and cover any price difference up to the full amount of our booking fee. If we can't replace the order, we refund our booking fee. That's part of our Booking Promise.

How do rental companies join?

They sign up online at /partners/onboard. We call within one business day, they check their listing, and orders start once they've signed the one-page partner agreement.

Start a quote Sign up as a rental company