How to Order

All Expo Hire orders go through the website. No phone calls, no quote requests. Browse, check live stock, pay online and track the delivery in real time.


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  • The only event hire company in the UK that delivers and collects on Sundays. Choose morning or afternoon for both delivery and collection. No other UK supplier offers this.
  • Every order 100% guaranteed before you pay. Expo Hire runs a live logistics check before confirming. No substitutions, no shortfalls on delivery day.
  • No security deposit on any order. Guest or trade account — you pay for the hire and carriage. Nothing held against damage.
  • Live GPS tracking on every delivery. A tracking link and SMS ETA arrive on delivery morning. Drivers do not call ahead.
  • Return crockery, glassware and cutlery dirty. The depot handles commercial cleaning. No pre-rinsing required.

Step 1 — Browse and add to basket

Browse the hire catalogue by category or use the search. Each product page shows live stock for the dates you enter, real-time pricing, dimensions and packing specifications. Add items to the basket as you build the order.

Check stock for your dates on each product page before adding to the basket — availability is shown for the exact hire window you need. If an item shows out of stock for your dates, the page shows the next available date and suggests alternatives. The stock system checks all 11 depots simultaneously.


Step 2 — Set your dates

The standard hire period is up to 72 hours, not counting transit days. A Friday delivery and Monday collection counts as one hire period at the standard rate. Delivery and collection are separate days — the equipment is at your venue for the duration in between.

You choose morning or afternoon for both delivery and collection independently. If the venue has restricted access hours, select the window that works with the venue's schedule. Morning and afternoon windows are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Extended hire periods of 4 to 7 days and 7 to 14 days are available on most product lines at separate rates shown on the product page.


Step 3 — Checkout and payment

Enter your delivery postcode at checkout. The system calculates carriage from the nearest depot to your venue automatically. The carriage cost is shown before you confirm — there are no adjustments after the order is placed.

Payment options at checkout:

  • Full payment by card — Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted. Order is confirmed immediately on payment.
  • Bank transfer — pay by bank transfer before the delivery date. Order is confirmed when payment clears.
  • 25% advance deposit — available on orders over £1,000 ex-VAT. Secures stock immediately. Balance due 28 days before delivery. See the deposit scheme page for details.
  • Trade account (30-day terms) — available to approved B2B customers. Contact us to apply.

No security deposit is required on any order, regardless of size or account type.


Step 4 — Delivery day

On the morning of delivery, Expo Hire sends a live GPS tracking link and an SMS with your driver's estimated arrival time. Forward the link to whoever is meeting the driver on site — it works on any smartphone browser, no app required.

Drivers do not call ahead. The tracking link is the only arrival notification you will receive. Share it with the venue contact so they can open gates and clear the unloading area at the right time.

Delivery rules:

  • A single driver has 15 minutes to complete the drop
  • Items must be accessible within 50 metres of where the vehicle is parked
  • Drivers cannot carry items up stairs or into lifts unless the two-person carriage option was selected at checkout
  • Someone must be present to accept the delivery
  • Access delays beyond 15 minutes are charged at £120 per hour or part thereof
  • If delivery is impossible on arrival — no access, venue locked — a wasted journey charge applies

Step 5 — During the hire

Use the equipment as hired. The free Minor Damage Waiver on every order covers accidental breakages of crockery and glassware, minor surface scratches on furniture, and general wear from normal event use. There is no claim form to complete — just return items as normal after the event.

If something has been significantly damaged during the hire period — a broken chair frame, damaged equipment — contact Expo Hire before collection so the depot team knows what to expect.


Step 6 — Collection day

Pack items for collection before the driver arrives. The collection rules match the delivery rules — a live tracking link and SMS ETA arrive on collection morning, the driver has 15 minutes, and items need to be accessible within 50 metres of the vehicle.

Packing rules:

  • Crockery, glassware and cutlery: scrape food waste into a bin, empty liquid from glasses, and pack in the original crates. No washing or rinsing required — the dirty return service covers cleaning at the depot.
  • Furniture and all other items: return clean, dry and packed as they arrived. Linen should be dry — wet or heavily soiled linen may incur a laundering surcharge.
  • Crate lids: fit lids on all crates and stack them where the driver can access them from the vehicle.

Trade accounts

B2B customers placing multiple orders per year can apply for a trade account. Trade accounts carry 30-day payment terms from invoice date, subject to credit approval. Pricing is the same for trade accounts as for guest orders — the account provides payment terms, not discounts.

To apply for a trade account, contact the team. Approval is typically confirmed within one working day.


FAQ

Do I need to create an account to place an order?

No. Orders can be placed as a guest without registering. Creating an account gives you access to order history, saved addresses, and faster checkout on repeat orders.

Can I change my order after it has been placed?

Contact Expo Hire as soon as a change is needed. Adding items depends on stock and route availability. Changes to dates, quantities or delivery details close to the delivery date may not always be possible — the sooner you contact us, the more options are available.

What if I need a two-person delivery?

The two-person carriage option is available at checkout for deliveries where items need to be carried up stairs, into lifts or over distances greater than 50 metres from the vehicle. Single drivers cannot carry items up stairs — if this is required and was not selected at checkout, contact us before delivery day.

What is the minimum order value?

There is a minimum order value of £50 ex-VAT excluding carriage. This is shown at checkout.

Can I pick up from a depot myself?

No. Expo Hire operates a delivery and collection service only. All orders are delivered to and collected from your venue address.

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