Install a marquee.

Marquee hire and installation in the UK typically costs £500–£8,000 for a domestic event, depending on size, style and add-ons (flooring, lighting, heating, furniture). A standard 6×9 m garden marquee for a 60-person event runs £700-£1,500 with basics; full-spec wedding marquees for 100-150 people sit in the £3,000-£8,000 bracket.

The price-driver is size first, then specification (clear-span vs traditional, fabric quality, included extras). Local hire companies are usually 20-30% cheaper than national chains for equivalent kit.

Common marquee types and what they cost

What's typically included

• Site survey before booking.
• Marquee structure, anchoring, and basic lighting.
• Erection (1-2 days for larger marquees).
• Hire period (typically Friday-Monday for weekend events).
• Dismantling and removal.
• Insurance for the structure during hire.

Common add-ons

• Flooring — matting (£3-£6/m²), boarded floor (£8-£14/m²), parquet (£15-£25/m²). Required for any uneven or wet ground.
• Lining — pleated ivory or champagne lining transforms the inside view. £400-£1,500 depending on size.
• Lighting — basic house lights included; chandeliers, festoons, fairy lights, uplighters extra. £200-£800.
• Heating — indirect propane heaters £150-£350 per heater per event. Modern marquees in cool weather often need 2-4.
• Furniture — round tables £8-£15 each, banquet chairs £2-£4 each. For 100 guests, allow £400-£700 in basic furniture.
• Dance floor — parquet or LED panels. £200-£600 for a 4×4 m floor.
• Bar / catering tents — separate smaller marquees attached to the main structure. £250-£800 each.

Site requirements

Before quote stage:

• Flat ground — slight slopes (1-3°) usually OK with matting; severe slopes need ground levelling or a different site.
• Vehicle access — most marquee firms need to drive a transit-sized van to the install location. Narrow paths, small gates, soft lawns can be problems.
• Anchoring — frame marquees use guy ropes and steel pegs (1.2-2 m long). Lawns are ideal; concrete or paved areas need ballast (heavy water tanks, concrete blocks).
• Power supply — most marquees need at least 16A power for lighting and heating. Generator hire £80-£250 if no mains supply.
• Toilets — for events of 50+ guests, plumbed toilets are usually inadequate. Portable toilet hire £150-£800 for a quality unit.

Things people often miss

• UK weather — wind ratings matter. Cheap pop-up gazebos blow over in 30+ mph winds. Quality marquees rated 60+ mph but still need careful anchoring. Don't assume "summer wedding" means low risk.
• Drainage — heavy rain and a marquee on lawn can waterlog the ground for weeks. Boarded floor or matting drainage prevents lawn damage.
• Heating in shoulder seasons — UK marquees April-May and September-October usually need heating. Without it, evening temperatures are uncomfortable.
• Generator size — calculate total wattage of lighting, sound, heating, and bar refrigeration. Underspec'd generator trips out mid-event. Hire firm will calculate.
• Insurance for the event — your home insurance is unlikely to cover liability for 100+ guests. Single-event public liability insurance £80-£250 depending on numbers and activity.
• Setup and breakdown days — hire is usually Friday morning to Monday morning for a Saturday event. Confirm install timing well in advance to coordinate with caterers and other suppliers.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A marquee hire firm experienced with your event size and style is the right call — they'll survey the site, advise on heating and lighting, and coordinate with caterers. Worth checking 2-3 quotes; pricing on identical specifications varies by 20-40%.