Furniture Rental: Access, Storage and What to Prepare

Expo Hire delivers furniture for events across the UK almost every day. We move everything from elegant Chiavari chairs for weddings to comfortable three-seater Chesterfield sofas for product launches, and stacks of basic folding chairs and banqueting tables for conferences. Our delivery teams are experienced, but a little preparation from you makes the process smoother for everyone.

Access for Furniture Delivery

The most common hurdle we face is access to your event space. Large items can be tricky to manoeuvre through narrow doorways, and stairs present a real risk of injury when carrying heavy furniture. We want to get your hired furniture to you without a hitch.

When you place your furniture order, think about the route from our delivery vehicle to where the furniture needs to be. We provide detailed dimensions on our product pages. Use these to check if furniture will fit through doorways, around corners, and up any steps. If you are uncertain, contact our team via live chat before you confirm your order. We cannot deliver furniture if we cannot physically get it to your designated spot.

Our drivers can deliver furniture up to 50 metres from their parked vehicle. They cannot go up or down stairs. If your event is on an upper floor or more than 50 metres from the roadside, you will need to arrange for your own staff to move the furniture from our drop-off point to its final location.

Preparing for Loading and Unloading

Having the right people and equipment on-site when our delivery arrives makes a significant difference. For larger orders, coordinate with your venue to ensure someone is available to direct our driver to the correct unloading area before the van arrives. This avoids confusion and saves time.

If the furniture needs to travel any distance from where our driver can drop it to the actual event space, arrange for trolleys or sack barrows in advance. Expo Hire does not supply trolleys. Hiring them locally is straightforward. For substantial quantities of banqueting tables and folding chairs, you may need two or three people to move a full load efficiently.

At collection time, furniture must be returned to the agreed drop-off point, ready for loading. Our drivers will load the vehicle. Your responsibility is to have the furniture stacked and consolidated in the correct place. For specific stacking guidance on items like our banqueting tables, check the relevant product page or contact us before your event.

Secure Storage for Hired Furniture

Consider where the furniture will be stored outside of your event hours. Most orders are delivered at least a day before the event and collected the day after. This means you need secure storage for at least one night.

Storage must protect the furniture from theft and the elements. Our wooden banqueting tables, for example, can be used outdoors if they are covered. However, they must be stored where they are completely sheltered from rain and away from damp conditions. Even durable items like our folding chairs should be kept dry and secure to prevent damage or loss.

If you are storing furniture at your venue, confirm with the venue management about suitable storage areas. If you are storing it at your own premises, ensure the space is locked and protected from weather. A garage, a secure shed, or a covered outdoor area with protection from wind and rain are good options. Avoid leaving furniture exposed to the elements, as this can lead to warping, staining, or rust.

Preparing Your Event Space

Before our delivery arrives, clear the pathways leading to your event space. Remove any obstacles, such as temporary displays, promotional materials, or personal belongings, that could impede the movement of furniture. This is particularly important if you have booked items like our large exhibition stands or extensive seating arrangements.

Think about the final placement of the furniture. If you have a floor plan, have it ready. Knowing where each piece will go saves time and effort during unloading. If you are setting up a large conference, having your event staff briefed on the furniture layout will speed up the setup process considerably.

For events with a tight setup schedule, consider booking your furniture delivery for the earliest possible slot. This gives you maximum time to arrange the furniture and prepare your space before guests arrive.

Collection Preparation

On collection day, ensure the furniture is ready for our drivers. This means consolidating items as much as possible. For example, stack chairs neatly and place them in the agreed-upon collection area. Tables should be folded and stacked if applicable.

If you have used any protective covers or packaging provided by Expo Hire, ensure these are kept safe and ready for reuse. Our drivers will inspect the furniture upon collection to check for any damage beyond normal wear and tear. Having the furniture clean and consolidated makes this process quicker and smoother.

Remember, our drivers are on a schedule. Having everything ready for them at the agreed collection time helps us maintain our delivery and collection efficiency across all our clients.