Folding Chairs Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Everything You Need to Know for Choosing the Right Folding Chairs 

Written by: Marcelo Flores

Are you looking to invest in folding chairs for your business? Whether you’re starting a party rental company, running an event venue, or growing your decor business, folding chairs are a must-have. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know, from types and ROI to maintenance and the best suppliers.

1. Why Folding Chairs?

If you’re in this guide, it’s probably because you’re looking to buy folding chairs in bulk, maybe to start your party rental, decor business or event venue. For any of these businesses, folding chairs are an excellent choice, especially if you have a tight budget or space constraints.

They have several advantages over stacking chairs, including:

• Easy to transport
• Efficient in Storage
• They’re affordable
• They are high in demand
• Versatile for any occasion

In short, they’re a fantastic option to help you get started in this exciting industry.

2. Types of Folding Chairs

There are different types of folding chairs, so it’s important you understand your needs before purchasing any chair.

Plastic Folding Chairs

Plastic folding chairs are the most basic option on the market and a favorite for party rentals. They’re especially popular with new rental businesses or massive events requiring thousands of chairs.

For beginners, plastic folding chairs are an excellent starting point due to their affordability. They also excel in space utilization, as you can store them in stacks of up to 50 chairs, making transportation easier.

If you’re managing an event venue and need chairs that are lightweight and easy to move, plastic folding chairs are a good choice, but resin folding chairs might be a better choice in terms of looks.

Resin Folding Chairs

Resin folding chairs are often the next step for party rentals after starting with plastic folding chairs. They are highly durable, affordable, and just as efficient in storage and transport.

The main advantage of resin folding chairs is their rental rate, which is typically three times higher than plastic folding chairs.

You can also find this same design in wood, but honestly it’s a much better idea to choose resin since they look identical, but resin is much more resistant and can be used outdoors.

Wood Folding Chairs

Wood folding chairs are identical to the resin folding chair but we don’t sell it because it has its disadvantages in durability.

Since they are made from wood, they’re more susceptible to scratches and damage than many other types of chairs. Most of this damage occurs during stacking and transport, even with careful handling.

Also, they’re not the best choice for outdoor use. So, if you’re considering this style, resin folding chairs are a better option because they offer the same look with greater durability.

Metal Folding Chairs

Metal folding chairs are commonly used in convention centers, churches, and meeting halls. They are available in a wide range of colors, with options for cushions or slatted seats in endless combinations.

Are these chairs for you?

It’s important you understand your clientele and the type of events you’re hosting. As mentioned earlier, this type of chairs are common for conferences and meetings, so if you’re aiming more for special events and weddings they might not be the best choice.

Additionally, they don’t stack as efficiently as plastic or resin folding chairs, which can limit storage and transport efficiency.

3. Folding Chairs Colors

Each type of folding chair offers various color options. For party rentals, white plastic folding chairs and white resin folding chairs are go-to options. Here are the most common color choices depending on the style:

• Plastic Folding Chairs: White color is the most popular for plastic folding chairs, followed closely by black. Other common colors include gray, blue, red, and brown. However, these chairs are available in almost any color.

• Resin Folding Chairs: White color is also the most popular fro resin folding chairs, followed by black. They are also commonly available in brown, mahogany, or wooden tones.

• Wood Folding Chairs: The color options for wood folding chairs are similar to resin chairs but include additional wooden tone variations for a more natural look.

• Metal Folding Chairs: Metal folding chairs offer endless combinations. Slatted seat options are often available in black, gray, brown, red, blue, and more. For vinyl seats, black, brown, gray, and beige are common. And for upholstered options are usually available in black, blue, gray, or red.

4. Calculate the Expected ROI

For many party rentals, starting with plastic folding chairs and upgrading to resin folding chairs is a common path.

When they do this upgrade they do it thinking to increase the ROI for their events. Plastic folding chairs rent for about $1–$1.50, while resin chairs average $3–$3.50, making them more profitable.

But it’s not the only factor. The complete formula to calculate ROI is:

(Rental Rate x Utilization) – (Maintenance + Repair Costs) ÷ (Acquisition Cost – Residual Value) = rROIC

Which also include the frequency of renting them, maintenance expenses and the residual value.

It’s key you not only select your purchases in terms of what others do, but do a research of what your clientele is doing and them calculate your expected ROI.

This formula might seem difficult, but we made it easy. We’ve prepared a free ROI calculator so you only need to insert a few data and the calculator will do the rest. It includes a video tutorial to make it even easier for you.

You can download the calculator here.

5. Cleaning and Maintenance

Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to extend the life of your folding chairs and maximize ROI. After every event, clean the chairs with a damp cloth or products like Simple Green or Magic Eraser to prevent stains.

As for maintenance, it’s key you do routine checks to ensure everything’s ok. It’s much better to do preventive maintenance over corrective actions. Here’s what you have to look at for:

• Any loosen screw
• Any cracks in plastic
• Broken welds
• Look for signs of weakness in legs/frame

6. Where to Buy Folding Chairs

You may be wondering where to buy wholesale folding chairs, and you may want a reliable supplier. Whenever you’re purchasing chairs for your event business it’s important you do a thorough research of the suppliers you’re considering. There are many good suppliers for folding chairs, but it’s important you assess their reputation.

Look for the company’s reviews and look for patterns. If a company consistently has complaints about a particular issue, it’s likely a recurring problem. And otherwise, if a company has good reviews about a topic, they might be true.

Also, consider joining industry-related Facebook groups to ask for recommendations from people who have firsthand experience with these suppliers. There are multiple groups for wedding venue owners or party rentals where you can ask for advice.

7. Are There Folding Chair Carts?

Yes, at Seat Co., we offer a universal folding chair cart compatible with plastic, resin, and wood folding chairs. This cart can hold up to 50 plastic folding chairs or 25 wood or resin folding chairs, making transportation and storage much easier.

If you have 200 chairs, for example, you can store them in 4 stacks using 4 carts, allowing for efficient storage and easy mobility.

For metal folding chairs, we offer hanging carts. Depending on the style, these carts can hold between 50 and 84 chairs.

8. Which Are the Best Folding Chairs to Start a Party Rental?

The best folding chair to start your party rental business depends on your market research. Here’s a video that offers tips for entering the rental industry:

This video includes various market research hacks to start your party rental in the best way.

Most new party rentals start with either plastic folding chairs or resin folding chairs. As your business grows, it’s recommended to offer both styles to cater to a wider range of clients.

Consider your budget, your target market, and the expected ROI when choosing the right chair for your business.

9. Potential of a Folding Chair Rental

The potential of a folding chair rental business is enormous. Some businesses may underestimate their opportunity for growth, but with the right location and market, the possibilities are immense.

You can start with a small investment and gradually expand your inventory, creating a highly profitable business over time.

10. What’s Next?

If you’re planning to start a party rental business or grow your existing one, the folding chair market offers a world of opportunity. But where should you begin?

Here’s a complete guide to help you take the next steps:

This guide covers:

• Make a Rental Analysis
• Start Small, But Start
• Establish Clear Objectives
• Get The Basics Right
• Measure Absolutely Everything
• Best Chairs to Start With
• Why is Essential to Choose High-Quality Chairs
• Complement Your Offers To Boost ROI

By following these steps, you can grow your business from $0 to $100,000 and beyond.

Folding chairs are a cornerstone of the event rental industry, offering affordability, versatility, and scalability. Whether you’re just starting your business or expanding an established one, understanding the types, maintenance, and ROI of folding chairs is essential.

By selecting the right products, working with trusted suppliers, and implementing smart strategies, you’ll be well on your way to building a profitable and sustainable business in this exciting industry.