10 Questions to Ask Before You Rent a Water Slide

Before you rent a water slide, ask ten questions: is the price all-inclusive, are they insured, when was it sanitized, who sets it up, what space and power do you need, does it run wet or dry, what's the weather policy, how early should you book, is an attendant available, and exactly what's included. Any solid company answers all ten instantly. Here they are, with the answers you should hear.

1. Is the price all-inclusive?

The most expensive surprise in this industry is a low sticker price that excludes delivery, setup, or insurance. Ask for the out-the-door number. With Big Wave Slides, delivery, professional setup, sanitizing, insurance, and pickup are always in the price — rentals from $199/day, and a showpiece like the Great White Shark 18 or Volcano Blast 18 is quoted exactly, up front.

2. Are you insured — and can you prove it?

Ask for a certificate of insurance (COI). Schools, churches, HOAs, and parks usually require one, and a company that hesitates is telling you something. Every one of our rentals is fully insured, and we provide the COI on request.

3. When was the unit last cleaned and sanitized?

The answer should be "before every rental," not "regularly." Our slides are cleaned and sanitized before each delivery — details in what's included in a water slide rental.

4. Who sets it up and anchors it?

The company should — never you. Proper anchoring (stakes on grass, sandbags on concrete) plus a safety check is what keeps a two-story slide like the Tidal Tower 27 planted all day. If a company drops off a rolled-up slide and leaves, walk away.

5. How much space and power do I need?

A real company gives exact numbers per unit. Each of our listings shows footprint, required level area, and power — for example, a dual-lane racer like the Double Drop Racer 22 runs two blowers on separate circuits. Yard prep is easy: see how to prepare your yard.

6. Can it run wet or dry?

Many slides work both ways — useful when the forecast cools off. Ask before booking if that flexibility matters; themed units like the Mermaid Lagoon 18 and T-Rex Dino 18 are crowd-pleasers either way.

7. What happens if the weather turns?

You want a clear answer on wind limits (inflatables shut down around 15–25 mph), storms, and rescheduling — before you pay anything. Ask how they handle it, and get it in writing on the quote.

8. How far in advance should I book?

Summer weekends, holidays, and end-of-school dates go first — 2–4 weeks ahead is the safe window, though last-minute is often possible midweek. Big multi-unit setups like the Mega Waterpark Combo deserve extra lead time.

9. Do you provide an attendant?

Most backyard rentals run fine with adult supervision, but for school or corporate events an attendant can be worth it. Ask whether one's available and what it costs — and confirm who supervises if not.

10. What exactly is included — in writing?

Get the quote as a document listing the unit, date, hours, delivery, setup, insurance, and total. Ours arrives as a signed-quote PDF with every line itemized, whether it's a Palm Paradise 24 for a birthday party or a Superhero City Combo for the school fair.

FAQ

What's the single biggest red flag? No proof of insurance. Second place: a price that keeps growing after you commit.

Is a cheap rental ever worth it? Only if the ten answers above check out. A $50 saving isn't worth an uninsured, unsanitized slide anchored by nobody.

Do I need to ask all ten every time? With a new company, yes. Our answers to all ten live on our answers page — and a free quote puts everything in writing.

Ready to put us to the test? Ask us anything — then get your free, no-obligation quote with every answer in writing. Browse the slides or request your quote. Nationwide, from $199/day.