When
looking to book a mobile disco for your party, do not make your decision
based on price. There are lots of DJs on the Web and in Yellow
Pages who will quote a low price, which may appear a bargain at the time,
but they are likely to be unreliable, turn up late or not at all.
There are several important
factors to consider when choosing which mobile disco to book, and some
important questions you should be asking. If you haven't
booked a disco or DJ before, hopefully these pointers will help ensure you
book with a reputable company.
INSURANCE
I strongly recommend that
you only book with a company that has Public Liabilities Insurance. This
is very important, should anything happen to you or one of your guests,
for example if a lighting stand were to fall and injure someone. If
something like this were to happen, you need to be assured the DJ has
sufficient insurance against such accidents.
A reputable company will
send you a copy of their Public Liabilities Insurance certificate
with your booking paperwork to prove they have the insurance cover.
Don't just take a DJ's word for this, make sure you do get a copy of the
Insurance certificate, your venue may also want to see it.
ELECTRICAL
SAFETY
All portable electrical
equipment should undergo an annual safety check, by an electrician,
commonly known as a PAT test (Portable Appliance Test).
This test is similar to the
MOT on your car, and helps ensure compliance with the Health & Safety
Executive's Electricity at Work Regulations.
A reputable disco company
should be able to send you a copy of the DJ's PAT test certificate on
request, also if you look at any piece of equipment, or cable, that is
connected to the mains, if it has been tested it will have a green
"pass" sticker on it, also showing the date the test was carried
out and the equipment is due to be retested.
THE
BOOKING AGREEMENT
Make sure the disco company
will issue you a formal Booking Agreement to confirm your booking.
This is a legal and binding contract which is signed by yourself and the
disco company. Check all the details on the booking agreement,
and always read any "small print" before signing.
Insist that you have full
contact details for the disco company, in case of any problems on the day
of your function. That means a landline - not just a mobile
phone number. Make sure they answer this line at all times -
including Friday and Saturday nights. A phone number is only
any good if it's answered - put it to the test.
