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Bouncy castle hire looks simple from the outside: buy a castle, put it on Facebook, take bookings. The businesses that last are the ones that know exactly what each booking costs them. That means fuel, a second pair of hands, wear on the vinyl, cleaning, annual PIPA tests and insurance. Without those numbers, it's easy to be fully booked every weekend in summer and still have nothing left over in winter.
This guide is for UK inflatable hire owners, whether you're starting with one castle or running a fleet. It covers what the market charges in 2026, the costs you need to cover, and a simple way to price every booking.
What Bouncy Castle Hire Costs in the UK in 2026
Prices vary a lot by region, unit size and what's included. These are typical day-hire prices from UK hire company listings:
| Unit | Typical day hire |
|---|
| Small castle (around 12ft × 12ft to 12ft × 15ft) | £45–£80 |
| Themed or larger castle (15ft × 15ft and up) | £70–£120 |
| Castle with slide, or a combi unit | £90–£150 |
| Adult castle, assault course or large slide | £150–£350+ |
| Soft play package (indoor) | £60–£150 |
Many small operators include delivery and setup within a set radius, often 10–15 miles, then charge per mile or a flat fee beyond that. Event-focused companies in London and the South East sometimes charge delivery separately per van, each way, which can be more than the hire itself for a big unit.
The Costs Each Booking Has to Cover
Fixed yearly costs
- Equipment: spread the purchase price of each inflatable over its working life. Commercial-grade units commonly last several seasons with good care, but budget for repairs and eventual replacement.
- PIPA inspections: every inflatable needs an annual inspection to stay in the PIPA scheme. Independent inspectors charge from around £50 to £120+ per unit plus VAT, plus a tag fee (one inspector lists £15 per tag) and sometimes a site attendance fee. Blowers need PAT testing too.
- Public liability insurance: many councils, schools and venues ask for at least £5 million of cover, and some events want £10 million. Get a quote for your fleet and turnover.
- Vehicle: van finance or depreciation, insurance, tax and servicing
- Storage: a dry garage or unit. Damp storage ruins vinyl.
- Website, booking system and advertising
Per-booking costs
- Fuel for the round trip, twice if you drop off and collect separately
- Labour: setup and pack-down for a large unit is often a two-person job. Pay yourself and any helper for travel time too.
- Cleaning and drying: wet pack-downs mean drying the unit out the next day, or it mildews
- Consumables: ground sheets, pegs, sandbags for indoor and hard-standing setups, and cleaning products
A Simple Formula for Pricing Each Booking
- Work out your fixed cost per booking. Add up the yearly costs above and divide by the number of bookings you realistically expect in a year, including the quiet months.
- Add the per-booking costs for that job: fuel for the distance, labour hours for that unit, and cleaning.
- Add your margin. Weekend dates in May to September are your most valuable. Price them higher, and offer weekday or winter discounts to fill quiet days.
- Add delivery beyond your free radius at a clear rate per mile, so long trips pay for themselves.
Run the numbers for your busiest unit first. Many owners find their cheapest castle barely covers fuel and time on a long-distance booking. That's why setting a minimum price, or a minimum spend for far-away postcodes, matters.
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Deposits, Cancellations and Bad Weather
- Take a deposit to secure the date. Many firms take 20–30% or a flat amount, and say in writing whether it's refundable.
- Have a clear weather policy. Inflatables must not be used in high winds. Follow the maximum wind speed on each unit's manufacturer label, and say in your terms what happens if you have to cancel for wind or heavy rain (a free reschedule is common).
- Charge for late cancellations on peak dates, because you can't usually rebook a Saturday in June at short notice.
Ways to Earn More Per Booking
- Packages: castle plus a popcorn or candyfloss machine, a generator, or a soft play bundle
- Overnight hire for a small extra charge: the customer gets more time, and you avoid an evening collection
- Event and corporate work: fetes, school fairs and corporate family days pay more, and often book several units
- Weekday deals for nurseries, holiday clubs and indoor venues
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bouncy castle in the UK?
Typical UK prices in 2026 are around £45–£80 a day for a small castle, £90–£150 for a castle with a slide, and £150 or more for adult units and assault courses. Delivery is often included within 10–15 miles.
How much should I charge for bouncy castle delivery?
Many operators include delivery within a set radius and then charge a flat fee or a rate per mile beyond it. Work out your fuel and time cost per mile for the round trip, so that long-distance bookings still make a profit.
Does a bouncy castle need a PIPA test?
PIPA testing is not a legal requirement in itself, but it is the main UK safety inspection scheme for inflatables. Many councils, schools and venues will only accept PIPA-tagged inflatables. Each unit needs an annual inspection to stay in the scheme.
What insurance does a bouncy castle hire business need?
Public liability insurance is essential. Many councils and venues ask for at least £5 million of cover. Check that your policy covers the castle when you're not on site to supervise, as some policies only apply while you are present.