Choose the vendor that will look at your site, put its staffing plan and price in writing, show you a certificate of insurance, and send its own trained employees. Referrals help you build a shortlist; those four checks help you decide.
Where do you start a shortlist?
Ask the people who have watched valet companies work: your venue coordinator, event planner, caterer and rental company, plus friends or colleagues who have hosted similar events. They see how a vendor handles the departure rush and how it treats guests, which tells you more than a website does. Online reviews are useful for spotting patterns, but read them for specifics rather than star counts. Two or three candidates are enough.
Will the vendor walk your site?
An experienced valet manager should look at the venue, or at least review it in detail, before quoting. On a walk-through, expect them to answer:
- Where guests will be dropped off and picked up, and where cars will queue.
- Where cars will be parked, how far that is, and whether the route is lit, paved and safe to walk.
- How traffic will move in and out without blocking the street or neighbors.
- Where the valet stand and key control will sit, and what happens in rain or snow.
- How guests with limited mobility will be helped.
A vendor that cannot explain its plan for your site is guessing at the staffing you need.
What should the written quote include?
Get every quote in writing so you can compare them line by line. A complete quote names the number of attendants and the on-site lead, the arrival and end times including setup, whether the rate is hourly or flat, any minimum shift length, and extras such as signage, cones, lighting or a tent for the stand. It should also say how gratuity is handled and what happens if the event runs long. If one quote is much lower than the others, check whether it assumes fewer attendants or shorter hours.
How do you check insurance?
Ask each vendor for a certificate of insurance that names you or your venue. Look for garagekeepers liability for guest cars, general liability and workers' compensation, and make sure the dates cover your event. Many venues have their own insurance requirements, so get those first and send them to every vendor. Our post on valet insurance explains each type of coverage.
Who will actually show up?
Some valet companies book the job and then fill it with subcontracted workers. Ask directly whether the attendants are the vendor's own employees, how they are trained, and how drivers are screened. Ask who the on-site lead will be and how you can reach them during the event. VIP staffs every assignment with its own employees, and VIP requires every driver to be 21 or older with a clean driving record.
How are keys and damage handled?
Ask how keys are stored and tracked, whether attendants note existing damage at drop-off, and what the process is if a guest reports a problem afterward. Clear answers here are a good sign of a well-run company.
What are the red flags?
- No site visit or detailed site questions before quoting.
- A verbal price with no written breakdown.
- Delays or excuses when you ask for a certificate of insurance.
- Vague answers about who the attendants are.
To see how VIP plans weddings, private parties and corporate events, visit event valet in Denver, or learn more about our Denver valet company. When you are ready, request a plan and estimate through the event quote form.
Frequently asked questions
Practices vary, so ask. Either way, a vendor that will not look at your site before quoting is guessing at your staffing.
Ask the venue whether outside vendors are allowed and what insurance they require, then compare on the same checks: site plan, written quote, certificate of insurance and staffing.
Send your date, venue and guest count through the event quote form or call (303) 502-2340.