How to Choose a Valet Parking Service

Whether you are working with a party planner or caterer, or organizing the event on your own, planning ahead to reserve valet parking is as important as choosing the time and place for your event. Scheduling attendants, acquiring special permits and signs and determining the need for shuttle and off-site parking are critical.

When interviewing valet parking services, please be certain to address the following:

Are the attendants uniformed and clean-cut?
Does the valet company provide you with a “garage keepers” insurance binder for your event? If not, you will be burdened with any damage which may occur. Do you want that burden? It could provide you with a huge problem.
Are the valets insured for liability?
Are the valets trained, experienced, and drug tested?
Does the valet company which you are going to hire have references for private events? Have them provide a list of at least 10 events. Call the host and inquire about the valet service.
Are tickets, cones, signs, and a locking key box provided and included in the price?

A good working formula for how many valets you may need is:

One valet for 30 – 40 cars. If the guests are arriving all at once, consider doubling the amount of attendants. Having guests wait either while staging or retrieving is not good practice. You can figure on an hourly rate per valet multiplied by the number of valets needed multiplied by the hours needed. The formula is a guide only and is not chiseled in stone! Inquire about after hours and “what if” scenarios…they can be costly if you are not informed. Most valet companies require ½ payment up front and the balance due at the completion of the event. Have fun and leave the parking responsibility to us.

Remember that a fool wonders and a wise person asks!

 

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