Price is often one of the first considerations when comparing marquee quotations, but unusually low prices can sometimes be a warning sign rather than a genuine saving.
Accredited marquee companies carry significant overheads to maintain safe operations. These costs include staff training, investment in modern equipment, vehicle fleets, insurance, health and safety management systems, certification, equipment maintenance and ongoing investment in stock.
When a supplier consistently undercuts the market, it raises an important question: how are those costs being covered?
In some cases, lower prices may be achieved through different equipment specifications, such as smaller marquee profiles or a reduced scope of supply. It is important to understand exactly what is included within each quotation to ensure comparisons are made on a like-for-like basis.
However, in other cases, it may indicate compromises in areas that are less visible to clients, such as equipment maintenance, staff training, insurance cover, and health and safety procedures.
Will They Still Be There When You Need Them?
One often-overlooked consideration is the financial stability of the supplier.
Events are frequently booked many months, or even years, in advance. If a supplier operates on extremely tight margins, there is a greater risk that financial pressures could impact their business before the event takes place.
Should a supplier cease trading before your event, you may face:
- Loss of deposits or advance payments
- Additional costs securing a replacement supplier at short notice
- Limited availability during peak seasons
- Delays in project planning
- Significant stress and disruption
For larger corporate events, festivals and public gatherings, finding a replacement supplier close to the event date can be particularly challenging and expensive.
The True Cost of Cheap
The cheapest quotation rarely reflects the total cost of risk.
A supplier that invests in accreditation, compliance, equipment maintenance and trained personnel is also investing in business longevity and operational resilience.
When evaluating quotations, organisers should consider:
- How long has the company been trading?
- Are accounts and financial records publicly available?
- Does the company carry appropriate insurances?
- Are they members of recognised industry bodies?
- Do they have a proven track record of delivering similar events?
- Can they provide evidence of compliance and accreditation?
A slightly higher investment with an established, accredited supplier often represents better value than a lower quote from a company operating on unsustainable margins.
Reducing the Financial Risk
For many events, the marquee is one of the largest single expenditures and forms the foundation for everything else that follows.
Choosing an accredited supplier is not simply about health and safety; it is also about reducing commercial risk.
Established suppliers have reputations to protect, long-term business plans and the resources required to support clients from initial enquiry through to event completion.
Why Experience and Stability Matter
At Relocatable Event Structures, we have been delivering temporary structures and event solutions since 1993.
Over more than three decades, we have successfully navigated some of the most challenging periods faced by British businesses, including the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001, the devastating fire that destroyed our premises in 2005, the nationwide floods of 2007, the 2008 financial recession and subsequent austerity measures. The Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, the impact of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing economic uncertainty affecting global markets today.
Each challenge has reinforced the importance of careful financial management, continual investment and maintaining the highest standards of service and safety.
Our longevity is not accidental. It is built on prudent business practices, strong customer relationships and an unwavering commitment to delivering safe, reliable and professional structures for every event.
We take pride not only in the quality of our products and customer service, but also in the financial stability that allows our clients to book with confidence. Whilst remaining competitively priced, we continue to invest in our people, equipment and infrastructure to ensure we will be here when our customers need us—both today and for many years to come.
In an industry where reliability, compliance and safety are critical, the question should not simply be, “Who is the cheapest?” but rather, “Who will still be here, fully compliant and ready to deliver when the event arrives?”
Consultation and quotes are free of charge, so do get in touch to see where we can help you.
Free phone 08 007 314 007
Email sales@relocatable-structures.co.uk
