Choosing an Entertainer - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose an Entertainer?
Recommendation is the best way. It’s also advisable to look for a professional entertainer. After all, you always employ professional tradesmen to work for you.
Choose the type of party you wish to have and then discuss your requirements to ensure the entertainer can provide what you would like.
Remember that when hiring a Children's Entertainer some children, especially younger ones, can be afraid of clowns, so always bear this in mind when booking.
(As Reg E. Mental, I don't wear any make up, but my clothing is bright and colourful so the children know I'm there to entertain.)
Do you have a website?
All professional entertainers will have a website which should contain most of the information you need to choose your entertainment. If there is anything that you are not sure about just ask the entertainer.
Do you have a price list on your website?
It’s not usual for price lists to be available on the website. Most entertainers offer many varieties of party. In addition, prices will depend on how far the entertainer has to travel.
Contact the entertainer. If you are not sure what party you would like, tell them the location of the party and request a full price list.
How much should I pay?
It is always a temptation to go for the cheapest. That can be risky. Usually in this world, you get what you pay for.
Always bear in mind the location of the entertainer you are booking. Try and stick to someone who is located within a reasonable distance, to avoid costly travel charges.
It is inevitable that a professional entertainer will cost a bit more than someone doing it “on the side”, but it is usually worth it.
Are you a full time professional entertainer and how many years experience do you have?
While there are a lot of good part time entertainers around, you are much safer hiring a professional full time entertainer. A professional makes his living performing at parties so it goes without saying he must not only be adept at his craft but will have in place the necessary certificates and insurances. Generally, the longer his experience, the more you can be assured of his skill.
Do you have Public Liability Insurance as an entertainer and for how much?
Public Liability Insurance is an absolute MUST. It should cover the performer as an Entertainer.
Some part time entertainers have Public Liability Insurance to cover their main job. It may not cover them as an entertainer.
A professional entertainer will always be prepared to let you see a copy of his PL Insurance document.
The amount of cover depends on the type of entertainment performed. The suggested minimum cover should be £5,000,000.
Do you have a CRB (DBS) Check?
Again this is an absolute MUST. A professional entertainer will always be prepared to let you see a copy of his CRB (DBS) document.
Is your electrical equipment PAT Certified?
Once again an absolute MUST.
When taking a booking, should I ask for a contract?
Yes. A contract will ensure that there are no misunderstandings between you and the entertainer regarding the type of entertainment you have booked, the performance times and the price you pay.
Being “let down at the last minute” by an entertainer who has had a better offer elsewhere, wrong performance times, wrong entertainment or being charged extra, are the risk of a no contract booking.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
That is totally dependant on the entertainer. Some customers like to pay in installments. Most professional entertainers will offer a variety of payment options to allow you to choose the one that best for you.
Does Reg E. Mental support Charities?
Reg E. Mental does support a number of his own designated charities.
As a professional entertainer, whilst he can support some additional charity appeals, he is unable to support every one.
Please do not be offended therefore if he is unable to to assist you with an appeal that is dear to your heart.
Recommendation is the best way. It’s also advisable to look for a professional entertainer. After all, you always employ professional tradesmen to work for you.
Choose the type of party you wish to have and then discuss your requirements to ensure the entertainer can provide what you would like.
Remember that when hiring a Children's Entertainer some children, especially younger ones, can be afraid of clowns, so always bear this in mind when booking.
(As Reg E. Mental, I don't wear any make up, but my clothing is bright and colourful so the children know I'm there to entertain.)
Do you have a website?
All professional entertainers will have a website which should contain most of the information you need to choose your entertainment. If there is anything that you are not sure about just ask the entertainer.
Do you have a price list on your website?
It’s not usual for price lists to be available on the website. Most entertainers offer many varieties of party. In addition, prices will depend on how far the entertainer has to travel.
Contact the entertainer. If you are not sure what party you would like, tell them the location of the party and request a full price list.
How much should I pay?
It is always a temptation to go for the cheapest. That can be risky. Usually in this world, you get what you pay for.
Always bear in mind the location of the entertainer you are booking. Try and stick to someone who is located within a reasonable distance, to avoid costly travel charges.
It is inevitable that a professional entertainer will cost a bit more than someone doing it “on the side”, but it is usually worth it.
Are you a full time professional entertainer and how many years experience do you have?
While there are a lot of good part time entertainers around, you are much safer hiring a professional full time entertainer. A professional makes his living performing at parties so it goes without saying he must not only be adept at his craft but will have in place the necessary certificates and insurances. Generally, the longer his experience, the more you can be assured of his skill.
Do you have Public Liability Insurance as an entertainer and for how much?
Public Liability Insurance is an absolute MUST. It should cover the performer as an Entertainer.
Some part time entertainers have Public Liability Insurance to cover their main job. It may not cover them as an entertainer.
A professional entertainer will always be prepared to let you see a copy of his PL Insurance document.
The amount of cover depends on the type of entertainment performed. The suggested minimum cover should be £5,000,000.
Do you have a CRB (DBS) Check?
Again this is an absolute MUST. A professional entertainer will always be prepared to let you see a copy of his CRB (DBS) document.
Is your electrical equipment PAT Certified?
Once again an absolute MUST.
When taking a booking, should I ask for a contract?
Yes. A contract will ensure that there are no misunderstandings between you and the entertainer regarding the type of entertainment you have booked, the performance times and the price you pay.
Being “let down at the last minute” by an entertainer who has had a better offer elsewhere, wrong performance times, wrong entertainment or being charged extra, are the risk of a no contract booking.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
That is totally dependant on the entertainer. Some customers like to pay in installments. Most professional entertainers will offer a variety of payment options to allow you to choose the one that best for you.
Does Reg E. Mental support Charities?
Reg E. Mental does support a number of his own designated charities.
As a professional entertainer, whilst he can support some additional charity appeals, he is unable to support every one.
Please do not be offended therefore if he is unable to to assist you with an appeal that is dear to your heart.