Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking AW Inflatables
Planning a party or event and have a question?
We've answered some of the questions we're asked most frequently about bouncy castle hire, soft play, inflatable games and event hire.
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, simply contact the AW Inflatables team and we'll be happy to help.
Are You Insured?
Yes.
AW Inflatables carries:
£10 Million Public Liability Insurance
Relevant insurance documentation can be provided to schools, venues, businesses and event organisers where required.
How Long Has AW Inflatables Been Operating?
AW Inflatables has been providing professional inflatable and event hire since 2010.
We're a family-run business providing equipment for everything from children's birthday parties to schools, weddings, corporate events, fundraisers and large public events.
Is Your Team DBS Checked?
Yes, our team includes DBS-checked staff.
For schools, organisations and larger events, please contact us if you require specific documentation or have particular safeguarding requirements.
Are Your Inflatables Safety Tested?
Our equipment is subject to appropriate professional inspection, testing and maintenance.
Where applicable, equipment is inspected through appropriate recognised industry routes and in accordance with relevant requirements and standards for inflatable play equipment.
We also carry out appropriate pre-use and maintenance checks.
Are Your Inflatables Clean?
Yes.
Our equipment is regularly cleaned, inspected and maintained.
We take the presentation and condition of our equipment seriously.
If you ever have a concern about equipment when it arrives, please speak to our team before the equipment is used so that we can inspect it.
How Do I Book?
The easiest way to book is through our website.
Our online booking system is available:
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Simply:
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Choose your equipment
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Select your event date
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Check live availability
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Enter your event information
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Complete your booking
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Pay the required booking fee
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Receive your confirmation
🌐 www.awinflatables.co.uk
Do I Need to Pay a Deposit?
We use the term booking fee.
A £50 non-refundable booking fee per inflatable/product is required to secure your booking.
The booking fee should normally be paid within 48 hours of making your booking.
If the required payment isn't received within the permitted time, your booking may be cancelled and the equipment released for somebody else to book.
Please see our Booking Fees page and Terms & Conditions for full information.
When Do I Pay the Remaining Balance?
Your remaining balance must be paid in accordance with the payment terms shown on your booking.
Depending on the agreed payment method, payment may be made by:
💳 Card
🏦 Bank Transfer
💷 Cash where agreed
Online/card or bank-transfer balances will normally need to be settled before the event in accordance with your booking terms.
Can I Change My Booking Date?
Eligible bookings may be transferred to another date where the required notice is provided.
Our standard policy allows an eligible booking fee to be transferred where we receive at least 7 days' notice, subject to availability and our Terms & Conditions.
The replacement booking should take place within 12 months of the original event date.
One eligible date transfer may be made without an additional transfer charge. Further changes may incur an administration fee.
What If I Need to Cancel?
Cancellation charges depend on how much notice you provide.
Please refer to our Cancellation, Refund & Weather Policy and full Terms & Conditions before cancelling.
If you need to cancel, please notify us in writing as soon as possible.
What Happens If the Weather Is Bad?
Safety always comes first.
Outdoor inflatable hire is subject to suitable weather and ground conditions.
We consider factors including:
💨 Wind speeds
💨 Wind gusts
🌧️ Rain
⛈️ Thunderstorms
🌱 Ground conditions
☀️ Extreme temperatures
If conditions are unsafe, equipment may not be installed or operated.
Please see our dedicated Weather & Bouncy Castle Hire page for more information.
What Is the Maximum Wind Speed for a Bouncy Castle?
Inflatables must not be operated where wind speeds or gusts exceed 24mph.
Some equipment or locations may require operation to stop at a lower wind speed.
The safety decision of our team is final.
Can a Bouncy Castle Be Used in the Rain?
Light showers do not necessarily mean an entire hire has to be cancelled.
However, wet inflatable surfaces can become slippery.
Some inflatables have shower/rain covers, but these do not make them suitable for unrestricted use during wet weather.
Use should stop during heavy or unsafe rain and whenever conditions make the inflatable unsafe.
Can We Put Water on the Inflatable?
No.
Unless you've specifically hired equipment designed and authorised for water use, water must not be deliberately added to our inflatables.
This includes:
❌ Garden hoses
❌ Sprinklers
❌ Water pistols
❌ Buckets of water
❌ Homemade water slides
A £100 cleaning and drying charge may apply where standard equipment has deliberately been made wet.
Can Soft Play Be Used Outside?
No.
Our soft play equipment is:
INDOOR USE ONLY
This protects the equipment from rain, mud, moisture and contamination.
Please ensure you have a suitable indoor venue before booking soft play.
Can You Set Up on a Slope?
Inflatables should be installed on a reasonably level surface.
A very slight gradient may sometimes be acceptable depending on the equipment and direction of the slope.
Steep or unsuitable slopes will be refused.
If you're unsure, send us photographs before booking.
Can You Set Up on Natural Grass?
Yes.
Natural grass is our preferred outdoor setup surface.
The ground should be firm, reasonably level, well drained and suitable for secure anchoring using appropriate ground stakes.
Can You Set Up on Concrete or Tarmac?
In some circumstances, yes — but this must be agreed before your event.
Suitable hard-standing installations may require anchor points to be drilled into the surface.
Hard Surface Setup Charge: £30 Per Inflatable
Permission must be obtained from the property owner or person responsible for the site before drilling.
Not every surface or inflatable will necessarily be suitable.
Can You Set Up on Artificial Grass?
In some circumstances, yes.
Artificial grass installations must be agreed with us beforehand.
Where suitable, we may need to drive stakes through the artificial grass into the ground underneath.
Artificial Grass Setup Charge: £30 Per Inflatable
The customer must ensure they have permission for this.
Please contact us before booking if you're concerned about potential holes, cuts or marks to the artificial surface.
Can You Set Up on Gravel or Soil?
Possibly.
Suitability depends on the condition of the ground underneath and whether the inflatable can be safely anchored.
Gravel and soil setups require prior approval.
Please send us photographs before booking.
Can You Set Up Half on Grass and Half on a Hard Surface?
Generally, no.
Mixed surfaces can create significant anchoring and installation problems.
Please contact us before booking if your proposed setup area contains more than one surface.
Can You Set Up on Decking or Wooden Pallets?
No.
We do not normally install inflatables on wooden decking, pallets or unsuitable raised platforms.
Can You Bring an Inflatable Through My House?
This should be discussed with us before booking.
Packed inflatables can be extremely large and heavy and may require sack trucks or other moving equipment.
Taking equipment through a home can present risks to:
• Floors
• Carpets
• Walls
• Doors
• Furniture
• Decorations
• The inflatable itself
We strongly prefer suitable external access.
Never assume an inflatable can be carried through a house without checking with us first.
How Much Space Do I Need?
You need more space than the inflatable's physical dimensions alone.
Additional room may be required for:
• Blowers
• Inflation tubes
• Anchoring
• Safety mats
• Entrances and exits
• Safe operating areas
• Access around the equipment
Please check the full space requirements shown for your chosen product.
If you're unsure, contact us before booking.
Do I Need to Measure the Ceiling for Indoor Hire?
Yes.
For indoor bookings, you must check:
Floor Space
AND
Ceiling Height
The ceiling must be high enough for your chosen inflatable with suitable clearance.
We have a dedicated range of low-height inflatables for venues with restricted ceiling heights.
How Much Access Do You Need?
This depends on the equipment.
Large inflatables can be extremely heavy when packed and may require considerably more access than a standard doorway or narrow garden gate.
Before booking, tell us about:
• Narrow gates
• Steps
• Long pathways
• Restricted parking
• Indoor corridors
• Lifts
• Height restrictions
• Difficult access
If you're unsure, send photographs and measurements.
Do I Need to Provide Parking?
Yes.
Suitable legal parking or loading access should be available as close as reasonably possible to the setup area.
Where applicable, customers should arrange parking permits, visitor passes and venue access before our arrival.
Please see our Parking, Access & Customer Conduct Policy for full details.
How Long Does Setup Take?
Setup time varies depending on the equipment, access and venue.
For a standard hire, we recommend allowing approximately:
30–45 Minutes
Larger installations, difficult-access venues and multi-inflatable events may take considerably longer.
Please ensure we have sufficient access before your event starts.
How Long Does Collection Take?
Collection times vary depending on the equipment and access.
For hall bookings, please ensure there is at least 30 minutes available after the event for our team to safely dismantle and remove the equipment.
Large events and multiple-equipment bookings may require considerably longer.
Should I Deflate the Inflatable Before You Collect It?
No.
Unless AW Inflatables specifically instructs you otherwise:
Please leave the inflatable fully inflated, anchored and untouched.
Do not:
❌ Switch off the blower
❌ Remove stakes or anchors
❌ Disconnect equipment
❌ Move the inflatable
❌ Fold or roll equipment
❌ Attempt to pack it away
Our team will safely dismantle and collect the equipment.
How Long Is the Hire?
Hire times depend on your booking, venue and equipment.
The exact agreed hire period will be shown on your booking.
For hall hires, your delivery and collection arrangements will be planned around the venue's access times.
What Time Do You Deliver?
Delivery times depend on the event and our delivery schedule.
Where necessary, setups can begin from approximately 7:00am.
Your booking information and event requirements will be used to plan your delivery.
Please make sure we have appropriate venue access before the event begins.
What Time Do You Collect?
Collection times depend on your booking and delivery schedule.
Our standard outdoor finish time is generally 5:00pm.
Later finishes may be available by prior arrangement and may incur an additional charge.
Collection arrangements will be based on your confirmed booking.
Do You Offer Evening or Late Collection?
Yes, where availability allows.
Hires finishing after the standard finish time may incur an additional charge.
Please select the appropriate times when booking or contact us before your event.
Do You Offer Overnight Hire?
Yes, overnight hire may be available for suitable bookings.
Our standard overnight supplement is:
£65 Per Inflatable
Overnight hire is subject to suitability, security, location, equipment availability and our Terms & Conditions.
What Is Included With My Inflatable?
A standard inflatable hire will normally include the equipment required for its normal installation, such as:
✓ Inflatable
✓ Appropriate blower
✓ Safety mats where required
✓ Appropriate anchoring equipment
✓ Electrical lead where required
✓ RCD protection where applicable
✓ Delivery, installation and collection subject to your booking/location
Any additional delivery charges or optional extras will be shown or agreed as part of your booking.
Is There a Delivery Charge?
This depends on your location.
Some areas may qualify for standard delivery, while locations further away may have an additional delivery charge.
Any applicable charge should be shown or confirmed as part of the booking process.
What Electricity Do I Need?
Most standard inflatable setups require access to a suitable 240V mains electricity supply.
The power supply should be safe, accessible and appropriate for the equipment being used.
Our standard leads may be supplemented with longer suitable leads where arrangements have been made.
If there is no suitable mains power available, please contact us before booking.
Do You Supply Generators?
Yes.
Generator hire is available for events without suitable mains electricity or where additional power is required.
We have generator options suitable for different event requirements.
Please contact us so we can determine the appropriate power solution for your equipment.
Can I Use My Own Generator?
Potentially, but this must be agreed with AW Inflatables beforehand.
The generator must be suitable for the equipment being powered and should be on site, ready and appropriately positioned before setup.
Please contact us before your event if you intend to provide your own generator.
Are There Age Restrictions?
Yes.
Different inflatables are designed for different users.
Some equipment is suitable specifically for:
👶 Toddlers
🧒 Children
👦 Older Children
🧑 Adults
Age, height, user-number or other restrictions may apply depending on the individual equipment.
Please check the product information or contact us if you're unsure.
Do Children Need Adult Supervision?
Yes.
A responsible adult aged 18 or over must provide appropriate supervision during customer-supervised hires.
The supervising adult should remain attentive and ensure the equipment is being used safely.
Do You Provide Staffed Inflatables?
Yes.
Staffed attractions may be available for:
🎪 Public Events
🏫 School Fun Days
🎆 Firework Displays
🏢 Corporate Events
❤️ Charity Events
⚽ Sports Clubs
🎟️ Community Events
Contact us to discuss your event requirements.
Do You Provide Risk Assessments?
Yes.
We can provide relevant Risk Assessments and safety documentation for equipment and events where applicable.
We can also provide:
✓ Method Statements
✓ Public Liability Insurance Information
✓ Relevant Equipment Safety Documentation
✓ Testing Information Where Applicable
Schools, businesses and professional event organisers should request any required documentation in advance.
Do You Carry Out Site Inspections?
Yes.
For larger events, unusual venues or locations where suitability is uncertain, we can arrange a Site Inspection & Event Site Survey.
This can help assess:
• Available space
• Access
• Ground conditions
• Anchoring
• Power
• Hazards
• Equipment positioning
• Event layout
Contact us to discuss whether a site visit is appropriate.
What Do I Need to Provide?
For most standard hires, you will need to provide:
✓ A suitable setup area
✓ Suitable access
✓ Appropriate parking/loading access
✓ A safe electricity supply where required
✓ A responsible adult supervisor
✓ Venue permission where applicable
✓ Accurate booking and venue information
We'll provide the equipment and agreed installation items required for your hire.
What Should I Do Before You Arrive?
Please make sure the setup area is:
✓ Clear of garden furniture
✓ Clear of toys
✓ Clear of rubbish
✓ Clear of pet waste
✓ Free from sharp objects
✓ Accessible to our team
Please also ensure gates, venue doors and parking/loading areas are accessible.
What Areas Do You Cover?
AW Inflatables provides professional inflatable and event hire across a large part of the South West, including:
Weston-super-Mare • Bristol • Portishead • Clevedon • Nailsea • Bridgwater • Burnham-on-Sea • Cheddar • Yatton • Bath • Taunton • Highbridge • Worle • Banwell • Winscombe • Axbridge and surrounding areas.
For larger events, we may also be able to travel further.
Not sure whether we cover your postcode?
Contact us and we'll check.
Do You Operate All Year Round?
We provide hire throughout the year, but the type of hire available can vary depending on the season, weather and venue.
During periods when outdoor inflatable hire isn't available, indoor hire may still be available.
Please check our current seasonal information or contact us before booking.
Can I Book Online?
Absolutely.
Our online booking system is available:
24 HOURS A DAY – 7 DAYS A WEEK
You can:
✓ Browse our equipment
✓ Select your date
✓ Check live availability
✓ Add optional extras
✓ Enter your event details
✓ Complete your booking
✓ Receive confirmation
🌐 www.awinflatables.co.uk
Still Have a Question?
If you haven't found the answer you're looking for, contact our team.
Contact AW Inflatables
📞 01934 611752
📞 01275 338601
📧 enquiries@awinflatables.co.uk
🌐 www.awinflatables.co.uk
📩 Contact AW Inflatables
AW Inflatables – Professional Inflatable Hire Since 2010
Safe • Reliable • Professional • Family-Run