Whether planning a birthday party or an international corporate event, you need to have the right catering equipment to make the event hitch-free.

It doesn’t make sense buying equipment you will be using just once, so you should rent the equipment from reputable caterers equipment rentals. For you to rent the right equipment, do these things:

Know what you need

You can’t start renting if you don’t know what you need. Other than the basics such as serving ware, glasses, and cutlery, you need other things such as:

Gas and electrical cooking appliances: Some of the appliances you might need include ovens, hotplates, and barbeques that will ensure that the food is cooked on time. You may also need warming ovens and microwaves for the event to be a success. You don’t want your guests to eat cold food, do you?

Table linen: Napkins, tablecloths, and placements are an essential part of any event. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked. To give your tables a finished look, plan for table coverings that tie in with the theme of the event.

Bar accessories: The first things that come to the minds of most people when it comes to bar accessories are cocktail and champagne glasses.

In addition to these, you need many other things such as bottle openers, ice buckets, cocktail shakers, and water jugs that come in handy at ensuring your event is seamless.

Work with a reputable catering company

While there are many reputable rental companies you can rent from, no two are the same. Rent from a company that has an excellent reputation for providing high quality and clean equipment at an affordable fee.

There are plenty of ways you can tell whether a company is right for you. Look up online reviews, ask for references from the company, or get testimonials from prior customers.

If you have friends or family members that recently hired catering equipment, ask them for recommendations.

You should note that being recommended to a company isn’t enough. You also need to pay your due diligence. For example, take time to investigate how the company relates to its customers.

Does the company answer calls professionally? Does it reply to questions properly? Does it deliver the goods on time? Does it give guarantees such as the replacement of the equipment in the event they fail in the middle of the event?

You can’t tell all these things in one day, so it’s wise you start the process early enough. This way, you have time to visit different companies and gauge how they work.

Confirm the rental company has everything you need

For convenience and to save money, strive to get all of the supplies from one company.

Rental companies run the entire gamut. Some companies specialize in high-end events, children’s events, and anything in between. The last thing you want is wasting your time on a company that doesn’t have the equipment you are interested in.

When doing your research, ensure that the company has the equipment you need for your event. The last thing you want is asking the company for equipment only for them to tell you they don’t stock it, and you have to make last-minute haste arrangements that lead to huge losses.

See the equipment in person

Most of the rental companies have websites where you can see the equipment they stock. Unfortunately, you can’t tell the quality of the equipment from the website—ask the rental company to allow you to see the equipment in person.

It’s recommended you work with companies in your local area to reduce the rental costs. It also makes it easy to visit them. When you visit the companies, ensure the glasses are spotless, and silverware is polished.

The tents should be of high quality and strong enough to withstand rain and wind. The chairs and tables should be sturdy.

Carefully go through the equipment and determine whether they are ideal for your event.

Watch out for hidden costs

Before you sign a contract, carefully read through it and ensure you fully understand everything. Beware of the fine print, such as the cost of broken glasses or damage to the catering equipment.

To avoid surprises, ensure that the event rentals Rockland NY company you hire from includes all the associated costs such as delivery fees, set up, and even pick up fees. Don’t sign the contract if there are any details you don’t understand.