FAQs

How do I book?

The preferred method is by completing our online booking enquiry form, alternatively you can telephone on 01875 813 282 or 07825 643 500, you can find and complete our booking enquiry form on the contact us page.

Our full contact information can be found here.

Will you require access to an electric outlet?

There must be access to a standard 13 amp electric outlet within 25-45 metres of where any of our inflatables are to be sited. If this is not possible, we have a limited number of generators available for hire.

Can the inflatable be delivered down a narrow side entrance or through a house/garage.

Inflatables are bigger and heavier than most people expect, and so to move them we use large commercial sack trolley's. It is possible to take them through a building, please note however that Sack Trolley's are used predominately outdoors and go through dirt and grassed area's, unfortunately if it should rain during a hire period, water will get inside the inflatables and this tends to drain out whilst being on the sack trolley, sometimes this may spill onto your floor or carpet! Whatever route the inflatable is using (be that through the house or outside) there will need to be at least 36” width for the trolley and inflatable to move along, so please move any obstacles before our arrival.

Please note inflatables are heavy and cannot be easily lifted up and down flights of stairs. You will be asked during the booking process if there are more than three steps in a row!

If siting outside where is suitable?

For safety reasons any inflatable sited outdoors must be sited on a reasonably flat, grassed area (slight slopes are acceptable) so that it can be staked to the ground. The site area needs to be free from stones, sharp objects, dog mess and excessive mud, leaves or dead grass. If there are any overhanging trees or bushes encroaching on the site area of the inflatable, these will need to be pruned back prior to our arrival. The inflatable cannot be sited where any side of it is brushing up against bushes, trees, fences etc. Barbeques and paddling pools must not be sited within 10 feet of the inflatable. Smoking is not allowed near any of our inflatables.
You will need to allow a minimum of 3 feet to the front and rear of the inflatable and 2 feet to either side. Please make sure all garden items such as garden toys, swings, slides, patio furniture, rubbish bins, washing lines etc are removed from the area where the inflatable is to be sited. We will need access to an electricity power point within 25-40m of the inflatable.

TIP: One standard fence panel is normally six feet (6') wide, so this can be used as a guide! Please prepare the site prior to our arrival, in the summer months we run to a very tight schedule to ensure all our deliveries/collections are done on time. If the site is unsuitable we reserve the right to cancel the booking.

Can an inflatable be set up on a slope?

It is unsafe to set up the equipment on a slope however on a slight incline it may be possible. If you are unsure as to the suitability of your site then please contact us directly.

Can inflatables be hired outdoors on artificial grass?

The answer to this one is simple, it depends on the Hirer! The first thing is that we still need to use the regulation ground stakes to hold the castle down, these measure 380mm in length and are 16mm in diameter. These will need to be put through artificial grass into the ground below, they need to be driven in fully so below the grass membrane there needs to be a substrate that will hold them in place.

Can inflatables be hired outdoors on a hard standing surface?

When an inflatable is hired outdoors it must be securely held down to prevent risk of injury. On grassed area, 16mm heavy duty stakes are used. In some instances, however, it may be possible to site the inflatables on hard standing. This can only be arranged by prior discussion and may involve the use of ground bolts, there will be an extra fee for this service. If you feel this applies to you then please contact us directly.

Can I put the inflatable outside at any time of year?

During the winter months we would not usually site an inflatable outside, even if it is dry it is normally too cold. In the spring and autumn we make our decision based on the prevailing weather conditions. We have had hires in blazing sunshine in March and conversely we have had people rained off in August. That is the nature of the great Scottish weather!

Can inflatables be used indoors too?

Yes, we deliver and install in many village halls and community centres across the area these have the added bonus that your booking will not be affected by adverse weather conditions! Indoor hire is brilliant when the weather isn't! We have a comprehensive list of halls/venues along with contact details for many if you are struggling for a venue. All of our bouncy castles and inflatables are available for indoor hire but do vary in height.. It is the responsibility of the hirer to check the ceiling height of the hall they are looking to hire and ensure there is the necessary clearance required to safely install the chosen equipment. Sometimes halls have hanging lights or low beams that make it more difficult to site an inflatable. We will let you know when you book if we can do it.

How long does it take to set up/inflate/deflate/pack up the inflatables?

Each Inflatable takes approx.15 minutes to set up and 20 minutes to pack away. However this is only an estimate, times may vary depending on which inflatable you hire and the access available to us.

How long do I get the equipment for?

The prices quoted to you are for a standard Private Hire between 2 and 6 hours. We do our utmost to let you have the unit for as long as possible, we deliver and collect on a geographical basis, but we try to be as flexible as possible. Inflatables hired indoors have priority when it comes to delivery and collection times, due to the strict time keeping policies that tend to come with hall hire.

What time will it be delivered and collected?

We have a booking system which allows you to put in your preferred times. However, if it's for an all-day home hire, we try to deliver between 07:00-12:00 and pick-up between 18:00-20:00. This is largely dependent on location and other hires that day.
We do of course have specific times for halls. If your party is in a hall or venue and you have specific times, allow a minimum of 30 minutes either side of the party for us to deliver, set up and collect when booking the hall. We will confirm with you that we can accommodate your preferred time slot.

Can I keep the inflatable overnight?

In most cases, Yes! We charge an overnight Hire Fee of £30.00 - £50.00 per Inflatable subject to availability.

I have left it to the last minute. Am I too late to book?

There is no easy answer to this question as it really depends on the type and style of equipment you were looking to hire, where you are based, how specific your needs are, and just how late you have left it! It’s not unusual that we take hires during the run up to a weekend for that weekend. However we plan our routes geographically and lay on staff and vehicles according to the work in our diary so without notice we can’t guarantee that we would physically be able to deliver equipment if you’re in an area we aren’t due to be in or if your needs are too specific (i.e. a fixed time hire). We will always do everything within our power in order to satisfy any last minute hires but obviously not to the detriment of our existing commitments. It is always worth contacting us as soon as you can and we will see what we can do to help.

Does the equipment need to be supervised?

Yes, all of our equipment needs to be supervised by a competent responsible adult at all times. Some of our larger hourly hired inflatables come with staff included in the price. If you are unable to provide adequate supervision for other hires, then dependent on availability, we may be able to provide trained staff members to monitor the equipment. This service is charged at an additional cost of £20 per hour per staff member.

How many children can use a Bouncy Castle at the one time?

It really depends on the height of children using the bouncy castle and size of the bouncy castle hired. Remember safety is paramount and it is always better to have too few on, than too many.

When it's hot can I put water on the inflatable?

No! Even when it appears the inflatable is dry, at the end of the day, after water has been put on, the water is still there inside. This makes the inflatable much heavier and can take several days to dry.

Is there anything else I need to keep away from the inflatable?

Yes, please be aware that streamers, party poppers, confetti filled balloons, silly string, chewing gum, food and drink MUST all be kept away from the inflatable as these can stain the vinyl. Small animals/pets are not permitted on any inflatables. Shoes, badges, jewellery, or any hard sharp objects, should not be taken onto any inflatables. Spectacles are also advised to be removed.

What about insurance?

We have fully Comprehensive Public Liability Insurance for £5 million pounds with a Major UK Insurer. Coverage includes Incidents or accidents which were deemed to be our fault, due to negligence, such as equipment failure due to manufacturing faults or failures or failing to install a unit properly. The hirer is responsible for the security of the equipment for the duration of the hire, provision of a safe electricity supply, safe operation of the equipment as per our "Terms and Conditions" and Constant Adult Supervision.

What happens if any of your equipment is damaged during our hire period?

If the damage is considered by us to be of a malicious nature, reckless nature or in breach of the terms of hire and has led to the damage then you, the Hirer will be liable to pay for all repairs/replacement and transport costs associated with having the equipment repaired.

Do you supply safety instructions?

Yes we provide detailed safety instructions with every hire, as well as a safety briefing from a qualified member of staff to the hirer.

Do you provide inflatables/equipment for fetes, fun days, galas and fairs?

Yes, You can contact us to discuss your exact requirements by completing our online booking enquiry form, alternatively you can telephone us on 01875 813 282 or 07825 643 500, you can find and complete our booking enquiry form on the contact us page of this website.

Our full contact information can be found here.

How much notice do I need to give for a booking?

You can book anytime however bookings get very busy in the Summer Time. Please book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Alternatively you can contact us on the day as we may still have some availability.

How much does it cost?

We have a wide and varied selection of items for hire. Please contact us for our latest offers.

What do the prices include?

All prices include local delivery, a small charge may need to be charged for out of area deliveries, (please ask for delivery rates). You will also receive a blower, suitable anchorage and safety crash mats, the price also includes set up, inflation and collection. Petrol, Diesel or Gas Generators can be supplied at an additional cost for remote sites without access to power. Please ask us for a quote as we hire these in on an Ad-Hoc basis.

When are your Hire items available?

Our items are available 7 days a week all year round including most Bank Holidays. (Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day)

Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes, a £25 - £50 Non Refundable Deposit is required for any standard Private Hire bookings. Deposits for Private Hires are required by Bank Transfer or Credit/Debit Card - Credit & Debit Card Payments hold a 3% admin fee.

How do I pay?

Most people choose to simply pay cash on delivery for bookings. We do also accept Electronic Bank Transfers or Credit/Debit Card Payments - Credit & Debit Card Payments hold a 3% admin fee.

Deposit payments once received and processed are deducted from the total balance due to us. All Payments are Non Refundable, however may be transferrable to a future date in certain circumstances.

All payments need to be received in sufficient time for funds to clear before the start of your hire.

If paying cash on delivery, Please ensure that you have the correct fee ready upon setup, Our Drivers DO NOT carry change and DO NOT always have the time to hang around waiting on people going to a cash point.

Electronic Payments must be made to the following Account:

East Lothian Bouncy Castles

Sort Code: 30-25-81

Account No: 00359818

What if I need to cancel?

You can cancel at anytime up until we have setup the equipment, there may be a cancellation fee as detailed in our Standard Terms of Hire, all we ask is that you give us as much notice as possible. Once the equipment has been setup a Delivery Fee or Full payment may be charged.

All Payments are non refundable but may be transferred or used against another hire date within the same hire season in certain circumstances.

Do you offer free cancellations in the event of bad weather?

In the event of poor weather conditions leading up to your hire day, we will contact you and discuss whether you still wish to go ahead with the hire, many customers wait until the morning of the hire to decide. If wind gusts are forecast above 24mph we would not be able to site any inflatable device outside, in this scenario the option would be for you to either find an indoor venue or postpone to another day.. If it is raining on the day of your booking, and you are unable to arrange an indoor venue, the options available would be to continue with the outdoor hire (on the understanding that you may not be able to use the inflatable for part of the day) alternatively we would roll your Deposit over to a new date in the future.

In poor weather conditions we would recommend moving your hire to an indoor venue, or you may want to re-arrange to another day.

What if it is bad weather on the day?

Bouncy Castles or Inflatables should not be used when the wind or gusts are in excess of the maximum safe wind speed specified by the manufacturer and HSE. The Industry recommends a maximum wind speed of Force 5 on the Beaufort scale (19 – 24 mph). We would highly recommend that any Inflatable equipment be switched off or Not Operated in heavy rain conditions. Most of our Bouncy Castles do come with Shower Caps in the event of light showers. Although for Health and Safety reasons we would not recommend use in any Wet weather. If you are unsure, Weather forecasts can be obtained from the Meteorological Office or call us with any concerns.

Can I use an inflatable in the rain?

It is not advisable to use an inflatable in the rain as the surface of the inflatable can also become slippery and dangerous when wet. In the event of a shower passing through we recommend you get all of your guests inside out of the rain! The inflatable can stay up as this helps to stop the water pooling inside and makes drying quicker, we advise protecting the electrical equipment from the wet whilst still allowing the blower to draw in air. When the rain has passed the surfaces can be dried with towels ready for use again. You may see bubbling from the seams! This is normal and helps dry out the insides of the inflatable. Some of our inflatables come with shower covers - these are primarily to provide shelter from the sun, though will protect the castle in a small way in the event of a light shower.

If the weather conditions deteriorate then the equipment would need to be deflated no inflatable should be used in very wet weather or if the wind gusts are forecast above 24mph.

What if it's Dry but really windy?

It is not possible to setup and operate any Inflatable devices in high winds. Should you have one or more of our Inflatables on hire and the weather turns adverse due to strong winds, all users should stop using the inflatable and turn off the power at the mains. When the Wind dies down you may turn the power back on following the orders given to you during your safety briefing and when fully inflated continue having fun.

When I hire from you is there anything I need to provide?

We supply all the hardware you will need for your booking, for any equipment that requires power you will need to provide a 240 volts mains power supply.

You will need to provide 2 forms of I.D. i.e. Drivers Licence, Utility Bill etc to our driver.. This forms part of the Private Hire Agreement.

As standard we carry our own 10m, 15m, 25m & 40m extension cables. Should you require more cable please let us know at the time of booking. You may supply your own cabling if it is adequately fit for purpose.