3 important factors to consider before buying a portable stage

If you ever find yourself in need of a portable stage for your event, a common question that arises is whether to buy or hire one. Several factors come into play to determine which option best suits your needs.

Factor 1

The first consideration is how frequently you anticipate using the stage. If it’s a one-off event without future use in mind, hiring may be the better option. However, if you foresee needing a stage regularly, even just once or twice a year, purchasing could prove to be more cost-effective in the long run. For instance, let’s take a standard 6m x 4m stage as an example. Hiring such a stage for three days (including setup and teardown days, effectively one day of use) typically costs around $1800. On the other hand, purchasing a similar-sized stage would run between $8000 to $9000. This means you could recoup your investment in just 4 to 5 uses, with all subsequent use essentially being free compared to hiring.

Factor 2

The second factor to consider is the availability of labour resources to set up and dismantle the stage. While assembling a stage may seem daunting, modern portable stages are designed to be lightweight and straightforward to install. With lighter and stronger materials and improved designs, even non-professionals such as school teachers, maintenance staff, church volunteers, or event helpers can handle the installation. For example, Transtage’s portable stages have taken user-friendliness to the next level, requiring only a couple of team members with moderate physical strength (capable of lifting around 20kg) to handle the setup effortlessly.

Factor 3

The third factor is storage space. Modern portable stages can be easily disassembled and stored flat, thanks to sophisticated designs. A standard storage room in a school or hotel can comfortably accommodate a small to medium-sized stage. For instance, the storage space required for a 6m x 4m All Terrain Stage, including decks, legs, and steps, is as small as a 2m x 1m footprint with a height of about 1.5m.

Conclusion

Investing in a portable stage entails a significant initial expense. Still, if there’s consistent demand for it, and you have the on-site labour and storage space available, it often proves to be the more cost-effective option. A well-built stage can last over a decade or even two, providing ample time to recoup the investment, even if it’s only used infrequently.