Event hire costs vary significantly depending on equipment quality, location, and event size. This guide gives typical price ranges for chairs, tables, linen, glassware, cutlery and catering equipment in the UK in 2026.
Event hire costs vary significantly depending on equipment quality, location, and event size. This guide gives typical price ranges for chairs, tables, linen, glassware, cutlery and catering equipment in the UK in 2026.
Event hire prices in the UK vary considerably depending on the supplier, item quality, and transport distance. This event hire price guide 2026 gives realistic ranges across the main categories, allowing professionals to budget accurately before requesting quotes.
Almost all hire companies charge per item, per hire period. A standard hire period covers a weekend. Drivers deliver items on Friday or Saturday and collect them on Monday. Longer periods cost more, though most companies negotiate a modest uplift rather than a full second charge for a midweek event.
Delivery charges apply separately, based on mileage from the depot. Expect to pay £80 to £200 for a typical regional delivery within 30 miles, rising significantly for longer distances. Some companies enforce a minimum order value, often £250 to £500, before they dispatch a van. Expo Hire calculates delivery by road distance from the nearest depot, starting from £40 ex-VAT.
Prices below reflect per item per hire period. All prices exclude VAT.
These figures represent market-wide guidance, not specific Expo Hire rates. Use them as a benchmark when comparing quotes for your next event.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folding / banqueting chair | £1.50 to £2.50 | £2.50 to £4 | £4 to £7 | Buyers choose this as the most common hire chair. Budget grades show wear. |
| Chiavari chair | £3 to £5 | £5 to £8 | £8 to £14 | Gold, silver, white, black. Organisers consider this a wedding staple. |
| Cross-back / Tolix chair | £4 to £6 | £6 to £10 | £10 to £16 | Event organisers favour these for barn weddings and relaxed events. |
| Eames-style chair | £5 to £8 | £8 to £12 | £12 to £20 | Transparent acrylic construction. Buyers favour these for conferences. |
| 5ft round table | £8 to £12 | £12 to £18 | £18 to £28 | Seats 8 to 10. Event teams use these as the standard for weddings and galas. |
| 6ft rectangular trestle | £6 to £10 | £10 to £15 | £15 to £22 | Seats 6 to 8. Caterers use these versatile tables for buffets and conferences. |
| Wine glass | £0.40 to £0.70 | £0.70 to £1.20 | £1.20 to £2 | Budget grades feature thicker-walled commercial glass. |
| Champagne flute | £0.50 to £0.80 | £0.80 to £1.30 | £1.30 to £2 | Premium grades have a thinner rim. |
| Dinner plate (crockery) | £0.60 to £1 | £1 to £1.60 | £1.60 to £2.80 | Chipware appears frequently at the budget end. Check before booking. |
| Dinner knife or fork (per piece) | £0.30 to £0.60 | £0.60 to £0.90 | £0.90 to £1.50 | Premium features 18/10 stainless steel, heavier feel. |
| Tablecloth, 5ft round | £4 to £7 | £7 to £12 | £12 to £20 | Floor-length (120 inches) suits formal events. |
| Tablecloth, rectangular | £3 to £6 | £6 to £10 | £10 to £18 | Confirm table dimensions when ordering. |
Using mid-range pricing as a guide, here is a realistic equipment hire budget for a 100-guest seated wedding requiring round table hire, Chiavari chair hire, white linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware.
| Category | Item | Qty | Unit cost | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seating | Chiavari chairs | 110 | £6.50 | £715 |
| Tables | 5ft round tables (10 guests per table) | 10 | £15 | £150 |
| Linen | 120" round tablecloths | 11 | £9 | £99 |
| Linen | Napkins | 120 | £1.20 | £144 |
| Crockery | Dinner plates (starter, main, dessert) | 330 | £1.20 | £396 |
| Cutlery | Per piece (knife, fork, dessert fork, soup spoon) | 400 | £0.75 | £300 |
| Glassware | Wine glasses (2 per person) | 220 | £0.90 | £198 |
| Glassware | Water glasses | 110 | £0.70 | £77 |
| Glassware | Champagne flutes (toast) | 110 | £1.00 | £110 |
| Equipment subtotal | £2,189 | |||
| Delivery and collection (estimate) | £120 | |||
| Total (ex-VAT) | £2,309 | |||
This estimate omits a bar setup, cocktail tables for the arrival drinks, and any catering equipment hire. Allow an additional £300 to £600 for those requirements.
Suppliers dispatch items clean and ready to use. Warehouse teams wash glassware and crockery before dispatch. Technicians PAT-test electrical and catering items where applicable. The delivery charge covers collection; customers do not pay a separate pickup fee.
Damage charges apply to items returning broken, chipped or missing. Most suppliers charge the full replacement cost of the item. A small amount of glassware breakage happens often, but large-scale damage incurs heavy fees. Expo Hire removes this worry by including a Free Minor Damage Waiver on every order.
Clients must pack items and have them ready for collection at the agreed time. Washing up takes hours after a large event. Expo Hire operates a "Send It Back Dirty" policy, allowing clients to return crockery, glassware, and cutlery unwashed. Cleaning costs form part of the standard hire rate.
Event hire companies quote prices ex-VAT. VAT-registered businesses reclaim the 20% in the normal way. Non-registered buyers must add 20% to all totals shown above to arrive at the final cost.
Accurate budgeting requires real numbers. Refer back to this event hire price guide 2026 as you plan, then visit the Expo Hire website to see live prices. Stock levels update in real time. Select your hire dates to check availability and confirm your booking online.
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