10 Things to Confirm Before You Book a Marquee

Run through this list before you pay a deposit. These are the questions that matter — and the ones that bite people who skip them.

Confirm Your Ground and Surface Type

Before anything else, know what surface the marquee will sit on. Grass is ideal — we use standard ground pegs. Concrete, pavers, or timber decking? We switch to ballast blocks, which add setup time and sometimes cost. Soft fill, loose gravel, or significant slopes can be problematic and may require a site visit to confirm suitability.

What to do: take a photo of the setup area and send it with your enquiry. A 30-second photo saves a lot of back-and-forth.

Measure Your Available Space

The marquee footprint needs clearance on all sides — typically 1.5–2m for ropes and pegs (or ballast block positions). A 8m × 12m marquee needs a clear area of roughly 11m × 15m to set up safely. Trees, fences, powerlines, and pool fencing all reduce available space.

Use a tape measure or step it out. Then use our Will-It-Fit tool to confirm clearance before you book.

Check Council or Strata Permit Requirements

Private property, private event? Usually no permit required. Public park, council land, or a managed venue? You almost certainly need a permit, and they take time — sometimes 4–6 weeks to process. Strata properties and body corporates often require written approval from the owners corporation before you can erect any temporary structure.

Do not assume. Contact your local council or body corporate early. We can provide a Certificate of Currency for $20M public liability insurance if they require it.

Confirm Truck Access to the Site

Our equipment arrives on a flatbed truck and gets hand-balled from the truck to the setup area. For this to work: the truck needs to park within 30–50m of the setup area. Narrow driveways, low overhangs, soft verges, or dead-end streets without turning room all create problems.

If access is difficult, tell us upfront — we'd rather plan for it than discover it on delivery day. Street parking on a busy road is fine; just let the team know what to expect.

Book Early for Peak Season

Brisbane's peak marquee hire season runs October through March — Queensland spring, school formals, Christmas, New Year, and summer weddings. Weekends in this window book out fast. Three to six months in advance is realistic for a premium date.

Your date is not held with a quote — only a 40% deposit locks it in. If you've had a quote and you're deciding, check availability before assuming the date is still free.

Check Power Availability

Festoon lighting, LED uplights, catering equipment, and sound systems all need power. For most backyard events, a standard household powerpoint within 30–40m of the marquee is sufficient. For larger events or remote properties without mains access, you'll need a generator.

We hire silent diesel generators sized for marquee events. If you're unsure whether your power supply is adequate, tell us what equipment is being used and we'll advise.

Decide: Full Walls, Half Walls, or Open Sides

Marquee walls are modular — you choose how much is enclosed. Full PVC walls on all sides give maximum weather protection and privacy. Clear PVC walls let in natural light and views while still blocking wind and rain. Open sides (no walls) give an indoor-outdoor feel on calm days.

For Queensland summer events, at least one solid wall on the prevailing wind side is strongly recommended — afternoon sea breezes along the coast can arrive quickly. You don't have to decide everything now; walls can often be adjusted on setup day.

Think About Flooring: Grass or Hard Surface?

Grass is acceptable for casual events and daytime functions. For anything with formal styling, dancing, or if there's been recent rain, you'll want timber flooring or a raised floor system. Timber floors transform a marquee — they look polished, protect footwear, and make the space feel finished rather than temporary.

If you're on concrete, tiles, or hard-stand, flooring is optional but adds a layer of comfort underfoot. Ask about our flooring hire options — they're quoted per square metre and installed by our crew.

Confirm Guest Count and Furniture Needs

Lock in your furniture requirements at the same time as your marquee. Tables, chairs, bar stools, high-tops, and linen are all available. We need final numbers at least two weeks before the event — but getting an accurate count earlier helps avoid scrambling for extra chairs at the last minute.

If you're not sure on exact numbers, give us your maximum and we'll quote to that. It's easier to remove items before delivery than add them at the last moment.

Understand Deposit Terms and Cancellation Policy

A 40% deposit is required to confirm any booking. The balance is due 30 days before the event. All payments — including your deposit and balance — are non-refundable if you cancel, for any reason and regardless of when notice is given. We don't offer credits for change-of-mind cancellations; a credit note or rescheduled date may be offered at our sole discretion only where a Force Majeure event prevents your event going ahead.

This is standard for the industry — hire equipment gets blocked from other bookings the moment your deposit lands. Read the full terms before signing, and don't book further in advance than you're comfortable committing.