1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Tent, chair and table hire: your step-by-step start

Buy tents, chairs, tables and linen and hire them out for funerals, weddings, parties and church events, with delivery and set-up.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 1 hour
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • People with capital, storage, transport and helpers for set-up.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.
  • You cannot put about R10 000 into getting started.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: wind damage and injuries: anchor tents properly.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How tent, chair and table hire worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Plan storage and transport3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Write a hire agreement with deposits and a count-in sheet3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Get your first bookings through funeral parlours and churches3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Record every hire and damage3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Add the items customers ask for most3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Agree a referral deal with a caterer3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R10 000 to R60 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Chairs, tables, tent
  • Trailer or bakkie
  • Hire agreement
  • Count-in sheet

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.