|
|
|
 |
 |
| | | When parking is limited, inconvenient or difficult to find, instead of making guests or customers find their own parking, a parking service lets them give their car keys to a valet. Valet parking may be provided for a special event such as a wedding, or for a service-oriented business in a tight parking area | | |
| Typical costs: | - It's possible to hire friends or acquaintances to park cars at a wedding or other event for anywhere from $10 -$20 an hour depending on local pay rates, but among the disadvantages are the need for liability and workers compensation insurance, and the need to have someone onsite able to make decisions or smooth out difficulties if any problems occur.
- Prices for valet parking service at a one-time private event such as a wedding, cocktail party or business conference will vary considerably depending on the number of valets needed, the length of time the service is provided and whether parking is in an on-premises lot or off-premises. Events such as a wedding, where most guests arrive and depart at the same time, may require as much as twice the number of valets. Charges for an average urban venue might run $25 -$35 an hour per valet. Many companies have a 3-4 hour minimum charge per valet; they won't send valets out for just 1-2 hours at peak parking times.
- A two-hour cocktail party for 200 guests (with an expectation of 100 cars) with on-premises parking might require 5-6 attendants for 3-4 hours for a total of $375 -$840; with off-premises parking the event could require as many as 8-10 attendants at a cost of $600 -$1,400. A wedding with 200 guests (100 cars) and on-premises parking could require 10-12 valets for 6-8 hours at a cost of $1,500 -$3,000; and with off-premises parking it could take up to 15-20 attendants (some for only 3-4 hours; others for the entire time) at $1,800 -$4,000 or more. Most parking valet services will want to see the venue before quoting a price.
- Contracts to provide valet parking service at a restaurant, night club, hotel, hospital, airport or other business can be set up in a number of different ways; there is no standard pricing system. If a restaurant or other business wants to provide valet service free to its customers, it may pay the parking valet company a price per car or a flat monthly fee.
What should be included: | - The valet company should set up a valet "station" with signs directing guests or customers, and preferably a locking box to hold car keys. Most valet companies have their employees wear some sort of uniform, so they're easy to identify when their services are needed, and some companies have a range of uniforms from casual to elegant so you can pick what best fits your event or business. BestValetParking.com provides an overview of valet parking services.
- You'll need to estimate the number of guests expected to use the parking service, and over what period of time. If events of this type are not normally held in this area, it's usually a good idea to notify any neighbors about the potential for increased traffic. And you may need to apply for parking permits or arrange for a block of reserved spaces for your event. Some valet parking companies will handle these arrangements for you.
Additional costs: | - It's customary to tip a parking valet. Usually for an extra fee the valet service will instruct the valets to politely decline any tips offered by guests.
- In an urban location with no on-premises parking, you might have to rent parking spaces in a nearby garage; that cost will be in addition to the valet service charges.
Discounts: | - Some companies offer volume discounts for groups or individuals who use their service on a regular and exclusive basis.
Shopping for valet parking service: | - If hiring valet parking for a one-time event such as a wedding or party, ask family or friends for recommendations; wedding planners, florists and others in the wedding industry may be familiar with local valet parking companies. Referrals are available from BestValetParking.com and ValetPark.net. PartyPop.com provides tips for choosing a valet parking service for a wedding or other one-time event.
- This is not an industry with a standardized pricing system, so get bids from several companies. Request and check references; if possible, go and use that valet service at another event or location to evaluate the valets' politeness, appearance and efficiency. Get written proof of insurance. (Many experts recommend calling the insurance company to verify coverage, because some fly-by-night companies have provided forged insurance documents.) Check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
|
| |
Article updated January 2009 |
|
Digg this
del.icio.us
E-mail
Post