Renting Vs. Buying, The Big Debate

So some of you may be thinking that Opera House is looking pretty damn good right about now. But how good is it really?

I managed to find a site for rental supplies located in Watertown, NY (half hour away) and calculated out an estimate for all my rental needs...

I estimate that I would need 115 of most per person items in case someone drops a fork, a glass, etc. (I can be pretty clumsy, lol :P)

I would need to rent chairs because the theater has only 80 and metal would be fairly uncomfortable for a long meal...

Chairs:

Padded chairs = $2.50 each
Cost for 115 = $287.50

Chair Total: $287.50

(Edit: I realized that colored linens were the same price as white ones, so I have changed the pricing and the totals accordingly.)
Linen:

-Tablecloths for round tables = $12 each
*Cost for 12 = $144
-Tablecloths for buffet tables = $12 each
*Cost for 6 = $72
-Napkins = $0.50 each
*Cost for 115 = $57.50

Linen Total: $274

Dinnerware:

-10" plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-7" salad plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Bread plates = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Cup and saucer = $1.05 each
*Cost for 115 = $120.75
-Sugar bowl = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Creamer pitcher = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Salt and pepper set = $1.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $27.60
-Sauce boat w/stand = $2.15 each
*Cost for 24 = $51.60
-Chargers = $1.15 each
*Cost for 115 = $132.25

Dinnerware Total: $594.40

Glassware:

-Champagne glasses = $0.60 each
*Cost for 115 = $69
-Goblet = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25
-Juice (or water) glasses = $0.55 each
*Cost for 115 = $63.25

Glassware Total: $195.50

Silverware:

-Salad fork = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75
-Fork = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75
-Spoon = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75
-Knife = $0.45 each
*Cost for 115 = $51.75

Silverware Total: $207

Add all these together with the venue rental cost, minus the chairs...

Grand Total = $2,067.90

And you still would need catering, bartenders, setup, cleanup, etc.

So one wonders...is it better to own and sell everything back?

We'll find out next post :)