FAQ

Below we have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions when renting a tent to help you with the process.

Learn About the Tent Rental Process Before Booking

Planning an outdoor event? Here’s everything you need to know before booking your tent rental with us — from how to reserve a tent to setup, delivery, and more.

How Do I Book a Tent in Massachusetts?

Booking your tent is easy using our 24/7 online calendar tool. For best results, use Google Chrome on mobile or book from a desktop browser.

To book:

Go to the product page for the tent or package you want.
Select your event date using the calendar below the product image.
Enter your event address, then click “Book Now.”
Your rental will now be in your cart.
- Add any extra items the same way before checkout.
Review your cart to make sure the correct date appears under the item title.
- If it doesn’t, remove the item and re-add it from the product page.

Note: If you need your tent for longer than one weekend, you’ll need to make a separate booking for each date.

Payment Policy:

We require full payment upfront to confirm your booking. Your tent is not reserved or added to our schedule until payment is received. Please do not expect delivery unless you’ve paid your invoice in full.

How Do I Know If the Tent Will Fit in My Yard?

It’s easy to measure your space to see if our packages will fit.

Our 40-person package uses a 20'x20' tent and requires at least 22'x22' of clear space (to allow for stakes or water barrels).
Our 60- and 80-person packages use a 20'x40' tent and require at least 22'x42' of space.

Still Not Sure? We Can Help!

We offer a free tent layout service using our software.

Just send us:

A few photos of your setup area
Your event address
Text them to our number at the bottom of the site.

We'll overlay your photos with our digital layout tool that uses Google Maps to measure your space within a foot of accuracy.

If that doesn't work, we can schedule a site visit for a small fee, which will be added to your rental quote.

Is There A Delivery Fee?

We offer free delivery for all tent and tent party package rentals within 30 miles of Quincy, MA.

Note: Items rented without a tent may be subject to a delivery fee.

Outside Our Delivery Zone?

We charge $4 per mile for every mile beyond the first 30.
Why? Because it typically takes four round trips for setup and takedown.

Example:
If you're 35 miles away, that's 5 extra miles × $4 = $20 delivery surcharge.

Click Here To View Our Full Delivery Area

Is Setup Included?

Yes — setup and takedown are included with all tent rentals.

Most parties happen on Saturdays or Sundays. We usually:

Set up on Thursday or Friday
Take down on Monday or Tuesday

So, if you book a weekend rental, you'll typically have the tent from Friday through Monday — giving you plenty of time to enjoy it.

Tip: Host a pre-event cookout or a next-day brunch to get the most out of your rental!

Special Setup Requests

Requests that fall outside our standard setup window (e.g., same-day setup/takedown or specific time blocks) are subject to a minimum $450 fee.

Do You Allow Customer Pickups?

No — we do not allow customer pickups for any of our rental equipment, including tents, tables, and chairs.

All rentals must be delivered and professionally installed by our trained staff to ensure:

Safe and secure setup
Proper handling of equipment
Insurance policy compliance

Any adjustments to our tents or equipment by the customer will void our insurance and shift liability to the renter.

Why No Pickups?

To maintain the quality and cleanliness of our tents and equipment

To stay on schedule with deliveries and pickups

To provide a consistent, elevated experience for all customers

We want every renter to receive clean, damage-free gear — and the safest possible setup.

Do the Tents Come with Lighting?

Yes — all of our tents include waterproof LED lighting at no extra cost.

These lights emit a 2200K color temperature, which gives off a warm, cozy glow — perfect for creating a soft, inviting atmosphere under the canopy. It’s just the right tone for evening events and adds a touch of elegance to any setting.

Need More Lighting?

We also offer string lighting rentals if you want to brighten up the space outside the tent.

You’ll need either:

Poles or trees to hang them across
Or a nearby structure to drape lights from the tent

Let us know your setup and we’ll help plan your lighting layout.

What Tent Package Is Best for Me?

That depends on how many guests you’re expecting — but don’t stress about getting it exactly right. We understand headcounts can change.

Here’s a good rule of thumb:

Choose a package that seats everyone under the tent in case of rain.
If you’re unsure, start with a package based on your best estimate — we can always bring a few extra chairs or tables if needed (just let us know ahead of time).

Need help deciding? Reach out and we’ll help recommend the best layout for your event size and style.

Do Party Packages Come With Linens?

Yes — all of our party packages include cotton linens, and the cost of cleaning them is built into your rental price.

Cotton linens provide a higher-end look than synthetic alternatives, and we maintain them carefully so your event looks its best.

Prefer Not to Use Linens?

We’ve recently updated our website to make things even easier.
You can now choose whether or not you want linens directly during the booking process — no discount codes or extra steps required.

Just select your preference when customizing your rental package.

Want Pressed Linens?

If you’d like your linens to arrive professionally pressed and wrinkle-free, we offer that as an optional add-on.

Add-on cost: $20 per linen
(That’s less than our cost of $28 per linen to have them pressed and hang-dried.)

Let us know during checkout or contact us directly if you'd like to include this service.

Will Applying for Shop Pay Installments Affect My Credit?

Shop Pay Installments are a great way to break up your tent rental into four equal payments, either bi-weekly or monthly, depending on what you qualify for.

According to Affirm (Shop Pay’s payment provider):

Bi-weekly payments will not affect your credit score, even if you’re denied.
Monthly payment plans might be reported to credit bureaus — especially if payments are missed.

Important Note:

Shop Pay is a separate service from BZ Tent Rentals. We’re sharing this information based on the most recent guidance available to us, but Shop Pay’s policies can change without notice.

For the most accurate and up-to-date info, please review Shop Pay’s official Terms and FAQs before applying.

What should i know about set up?

General Setup Requirements

We need a completely unobstructed, level area to safely install your tent.

Tents can extend over patios, shrubs, or small plants
The ground where the tent legs rest must be reasonably level (grass, dirt, or concrete)
Make sure the space is cleared of furniture, toys, or yard décor before setup day

Tent Footprint Dimensions

40-Person Tent: 20 ft × 20 ft (requires ~22 ft × 22 ft of clear space)
60- or 80-Person Tent: 20 ft × 40 ft (requires ~22 ft × 42 ft of clear space)

Allow extra clearance around the tent perimeter for stakes or water barrel ballasts.

Underground Hazards

We use a sledgehammer to drive stakes approximately 3 feet into the ground.

If you have any underground elements such as:

Septic systems
Sprinkler lines
Electrical or gas lines
Pool piping or drainage

Please notify us in advance.

Important: Even if hazards are marked, we cannot guarantee they will be avoided, and we are not responsible for any underground damage caused during installation.

Call Dig Safe (811)

If you're concerned about underground gas, electric, or utility lines:

Call Dig Safe at 811 at least 2 weeks before your event
They’ll come mark your utility lines for free
48 hours’ notice is the legal minimum, but 7–14 days’ notice is strongly recommended

Can You Set Up Tents on Concrete, Asphalt, or Patios?

Yes — we can absolutely set up tents on hard surfaces. If we can reach nearby grass or mulch within 10 feet of the tent legs, we’ll use our heavy-duty straps to anchor the tent safely.

If no grass is accessible, we use 50-gallon water barrels (over 400 lbs when filled) to secure the tent.

Here’s What You’ll Need to Know:

You must provide hose access on setup day so we can fill the barrels
We charge $50 per water barrel for the weekend rental
You’ll need 2 barrels per tent leg that cannot reach grass

Important: Tents secured with water barrels cannot be installed with sidewalls. This is part of our safety policy and helps prevent wind hazards.

Need Water Barrels for Your Setup?

Just add them directly to your cart during booking:
👉 Rent Water Barrels Here

How to Avoid Damage Fees

We want every customer to have a great experience — and that means keeping our equipment clean, safe, and ready for the next event.

Please follow these simple guidelines to avoid damage fees:

DO NOT:

Use tiki torches or open flames within 50 feet of the tent (the soot leaves permanent marks)
Grill or cook under the tent (our tents are flame-resistant but not meant for cooking beneath)
Use tape, staples, or adhesives on tents, tables, or chairs (they leave residue or cause damage)

Tip: If you’re planning to hang anything (signs, lights, décor), please ask us how to do it safely before setup.

Only Use Approved Lighting

Please only use the LED lights provided by BZ Tent Rentals unless you’ve discussed other options with us beforehand. Some unapproved lighting poses a fire risk or can damage the tent.

Respect the Setup

Do not move or adjust the tent, straps, stakes, sidewalls, or dance floor for any reason after we’ve installed it.

Doing so:

Voids our insurance coverage
Transfers all liability to you
May result in fees or denial of claims if damage or injury occurs

If you’d like a specific tent placement, you can:

Send us a photo of the desired spot before setup and or place some markers in each corner of where the tent will bbe
Have someone present on the day of installation to help guide placement

Accidents Happen — We’re Here for You

If something happens that’s truly out of your control (e.g., a tree falls or severe weather causes damage), don’t stress — we’re fully insured, and you won’t be held responsible.

We only assess damage fees when items are neglected or misused.

Still unsure or nervous? Call Dig Safe! (811) It’s free! You can also Call or Text us below!

Do I Need a Permit?

Private Residences

In most cases, you do not need a permit if you're setting up a tent at a private residence or in your backyard — especially if:

You're expecting fewer than 100 guests
The tent is under 400 square feet

However, always double-check with your town if you're unsure, especially if you live in a dense residential area.

Public Spaces or Rented Venues

If your event is in:

A public park
A town-owned space
A commercial or rented venue

Then a permit is usually required, and you may also need to provide a certificate of insurance.

We Can Help

We’re happy to:

Provide the required documents for you to file the permit
Or file it on your behalf for a $200 minimum fee (varies by town)

If you have questions about whether you need a permit, just contact us and we’ll guide you through the process.

Where does the name “BZ” Tent Rentals come from?

Where Does the Name “BZ Tent Rentals” Come From?

BZ Tent Rentals LLC is owned and operated by Brett and Zach — lifelong friends from Marshfield, Massachusetts.

The name “BZ” comes from the first initials of our names. We grew up on the South Shore and built this company as locals, for locals — with the goal of making the event rental process simple, clear, and stress-free.

What Makes Us Different

We designed our packages to include everything up front — delivery, setup, taxes, lighting, and even sidewalls — so there are no surprises or hidden fees.

We want you to spend less time chasing quotes or reading fine print, and more time enjoying your event with friends and family.

We’re also the ones who show up to set up your tent — so when you book with BZ Tent Rentals, you’re booking directly with the owners.

Areas We Serve

BZ Tent Rentals proudly serves the South Shore of Massachusetts, including:

Quincy
Braintree
Milton
Weymouth
Marshfield
Scituate
Norwell
Hanover
Pembroke
Duxbury
Kingston
Plymouth
Bridgewater

Click here to view our full delivery area