Look at the tasks, not the label
‘Dry hire’ generally means hiring equipment without people to operate it. Terms such as ‘wet hire’ or ‘full production’ can cover different scopes, so the written quotation matters more than the shorthand. Ask who transports the equipment, installs it, tests the complete system, runs the event and removes it afterwards.
An organiser can be confident with a simple presentation system and still need help with a more complex show. Adding radio microphones, live music, video and frequent changeovers changes both the technical requirement and the amount of attention it needs.
Do a responsibility check
Put a name beside each task. If the same person is also presenting, greeting guests or managing performers, check whether the duties clash. An operator needs to be available at the moment a cue or microphone change happens.
| Your situation | What to discuss |
|---|---|
| A technical team and a settled specification | Equipment hire and compatibility checks. |
| An in-house team with a specific gap | Extra equipment, a specialist or additional crew. |
| No technical team, or a complex programme | Design, setup and operation as an agreed production scope. |
Ask for the missing support directly
You do not have to choose between doing everything yourself and buying every service. Describe the parts you can cover and ask for help with the rest. For example, a venue might provide the sound system while a production needs microphones and an operator.
Keep responsibility for the wider event clear when suppliers are involved. Technical support helps deliver the agreed scope; it does not automatically take over every duty of the organiser or venue. Agree the interfaces before confirming the booking.
Put it into practice
The useful question to ask
- Who handles transport, setup, checks, operation and removal?
- Can those people cover the actual programme without conflicting duties?
- Which tasks should be included in the quotation?
Technical references
Manufacturer and official guidance behind the technical points in this article. Follow the instructions for the specific equipment and the arrangements agreed with your venue.
Help with the job
Event productionExplore the service or ask the team about your own requirement below.