When planning an outdoor event, one question comes up almost every time: should you hire a marquee for the day, or invest in buying your own? Marquees are more than just shelter – they shape the look and feel of your event, keep guests comfortable, and can even act as a powerful branding tool. At Instant Shade Marquees, we’ve been supplying high-quality marquees across Australia for nearly three decades. From large corporate events to community fundraisers and sporting carnivals, we’ve seen the benefits of both hiring and buying in action. This guide explores the pros and cons of each option, the key factors you should consider, and how to choose the marquee that best suits your needs.
When Hiring a Marquee Makes Sense
Hiring is often the first choice for people who only need a marquee occasionally, or who have space or budget constraints. It can also be the right move for events that require a very specific size or layout.
Lower Upfront Cost: If you only run an event once or twice a year, the cost of buying a marquee might not make financial sense. Hiring means you pay only for the time you use it, with no large upfront investment.
No Storage or Maintenance Required: After your event, the marquee is returned to the hire company – no need to find somewhere to store it, clean it, or check it for wear and tear before the next use. For organisations with limited storage space, this can be a big advantage.
Access to Larger or Unique Setups: Some hire companies stock large structure marquees or specialist designs you might not need to own permanently. Hiring lets you choose exactly the right size and configuration for each event, without committing to that setup long-term.
Ideal for Trial Runs: If you’re not sure what size, style, or strength marquee you need, hiring first can help you test options. You might discover that a larger footprint works better for crowd flow, or that certain sidewall features are worth investing in.
To hire a marquee get in touch with Instant Marquees today or visit their website!
When Buying a Marquee is the Better Investment
For many businesses, schools, sports clubs, and councils, owning a marquee offers far greater convenience and long-term value than hiring repeatedly.
Always Ready When You Need It: Owning a marquee means you can set up at short notice – no need to check hire availability or pay rush fees. This is particularly useful for organisations that attend regular markets, sports fixtures, or community events.
Custom Branding Options: When you own your marquee, you can brand it with your colours, logos, and graphics. At Instant Shade Marquees, we offer full digital printing for canopies and sidewalls, ensuring your marquee becomes a high-impact promotional asset every time it’s set up.
Lower Long-Term Costs: If you hire several times a year, the costs quickly add up. Buying a high-quality, commercial-grade marquee can pay for itself in just a few uses, especially if it’s well maintained.
Consistent Quality: When you own your marquee, you know exactly what condition it’s in. You avoid the risk of getting a worn or weathered hire unit, and you can choose a frame strength and canopy material that meets your exact needs – from our Deluxe range for general use to our Heavy Duty range for harsher conditions.
Key Factors to Consider Before Deciding
To work out whether hiring or buying is the right choice for your situation, consider these key factors:
Frequency of Use:
- One-off or rare events: Hiring is likely more economical.
- Regular or annual events: Buying quickly becomes the cost-effective option.
Branding Needs:
- If your marquee will act as a promotional space – for example at trade shows, sports events, or public festivals – custom branding is a major advantage. Hiring typically offers little or no branding flexibility.
Event Locations and Conditions:
- If your events are often in windy, coastal, or exposed locations, owning a stronger, high-spec marquee (like our Heavy Duty NeoShade) ensures safety and reliability. Hire stock may not always offer that level of performance.
Storage and Transport:
- Owning a marquee means you’ll need a dry, secure storage space and a vehicle capable of transporting it. If that’s not practical, hiring avoids these considerations.
Budget and Cash Flow:
- While buying may be cheaper over time, the upfront cost is higher. If budget is tight, hiring spreads out your spending
Why Quality Matters – Whether You Hire or Buy
Not all marquees are created equal. A well-built commercial marquee offers:
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Strong, anodised aluminium frames for durability and rust resistance
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Reinforced crossbars and heavy-duty connectors for stability in wind
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High-grade canopies (such as 600D polyester with waterproofing, UV resistance, and optional fire retardancy)
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Quick, simple setup with push-button systems
Cheap, lightweight alternatives may seem appealing for occasional use, but they often lack the strength to stand up to Australian weather – leading to damage, safety risks, and replacement costs.
When Hiring AND Buying Can Work Together
Some clients use a combination approach:
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Buy one or two marquees for regular events and brand visibility.
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Hire extra units for larger-than-usual occasions.
This gives you the best of both worlds – consistent branding and availability, plus the flexibility to scale up as needed.
Real-World Examples
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Local Council: Owns multiple branded Heavy Duty marquees for regular community markets, but hires additional structure marquees for the annual festival.
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Sports Club: Purchased a branded Deluxe marquee for weekly home games, hires a second marquee for finals season when crowds are larger.
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Corporate Event Team: Invested in a set of fully branded marquees for product activations, but hires unique sizes for one-off sponsorship events.
Final Decision Guide
Ask yourself:
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How often will I use the marquee?
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Will branding add value to my events?
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Do I have storage and transport sorted?
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What are the typical weather conditions?
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What’s my total budget over 2–3 years?
If you find yourself using a marquee more than a few times each year – and branding matters to your organisation – buying a quality marquee is often the smarter long-term choice.
Ready to Choose?
Whether you decide to hire or buy, the most important thing is to ensure your marquee is fit for purpose, safe, and suited to your event environment. At Instant Shade Marquees, we’re here to help you weigh up your options and supply the best solution for your needs.
Contact us today to discuss your next event and find out whether hiring, buying, or a mix of both will give you the best results.
