General Info & Appointments

Chicago Prop Rentals can be contacted via email at chicagopropsrental@gmail.com or by calling 773-908-9416, Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Prop viewings are by appointment only, and we are not open to the general public for browsing. Please contact us to schedule an appointment, check the availability of props, or reserve items. Appointments are free; however, any appointments requiring special services, such as retrieving large items, will incur a non-negotiable fee of $50.00 per hour, due at the time of the appointment.

Payment and Renter Information

We accept credit cards (MC, VISA, AMEX, Discover), company checks, and cash as forms of payment. Once an order is finalized and leaves our warehouse, payment is non-refundable. All renters are required to provide a valid ID and credit card information to be kept on file for any loss or damage. Certain rental items may require additional forms of ID or documentation.

For private renters (i.e., not affiliated with a commercial business), a security deposit authorization on a valid credit card may be required for items valued over $500.

Rates and Terms

Rental items are priced as a percentage of their retail value. Please contact us for a quote if the price is not listed. All rates quoted or listed are for weekly (7-day) rentals. Additional weeks for most items are charged at 50% for the second week, 25% per week for the third and fourth weeks, and 25% for each additional month. We do not offer alternative rates for shorter-term or daily rentals. Some items may have different extended rental pricing structures and/or may not be eligible for discounts.

Full payment is required at the time of pick-up for most renters.

Long-term productions must establish an account with us prior to the first pick-up if requesting credit terms. All payments are due no later than 30 days from the date of pick-up. If a production falls more than 2 weeks past due on any invoice, Chicago Prop Rentals may convert the production to regular rental terms (payment due at pick-up) until the account is current.

Holds & Reservations

Props may be reserved by phone or email. If reserving an item for a date more than a week away, a 25% non-refundable deposit may be required to hold the rental if there are multiple requests for the same item.

For large items that require significant labor to prepare for rental, a 25% non-refundable deposit is due at least two business days prior to pick-up.

If an item is subject to the 25% non-refundable deposit, the refund policy below does not apply.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

If a rental has been paid for in advance and is canceled at least three business days prior to the pick-up date, the rental is generally eligible for a 90% refund. The 10% charge covers transaction processing fees and administrative costs.

If a rental has been paid for in advance and is canceled one to two business days in advance, the renter is generally eligible for a 50% refund.

If a rental has been paid for in advance and is canceled on the day of pick-up, the renter is eligible for a 25% refund.

These charges account for the labor and scheduling involved in preparing a rental for pick-up, administrative costs, and transaction fees on payments and refunds.

If payment has not been made on a rental and the rental has not been pulled yet, there will generally be no charges.

Condition

All items are rented as-is. If you have any questions about the appearance or condition of an item, we encourage you to make an appointment to view items in person prior to renting. It is our policy that the renter shall examine and inspect any props rented to ensure they are safe and in good working order. This examination should occur at the time of pick-up or as soon as reasonable after receipt and always before the first use of the props. The renter’s pick-up of any props constitutes acknowledgment that the props are in good working order and safe, with the renter assuming all risk of liability resulting from any malfunction or otherwise unsafe props.

Delivery and Pickup

We do not offer delivery and pick-up services. It is the responsibility of the renting party to make all transport arrangements prior to the rental date. We require all renters to schedule their pick-up and drop-off times in advance. Our loading dock hours are Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Please note that if you are renting an oversized item, we require that you obtain the dimensions of the rental item (we can provide these for you) and ensure it can fit in your vehicle. We do not allow items to leave vehicles that would expose them to the elements. To ensure safe transit, please rent the appropriate vehicle for transporting our items.

Shipping

We typically do not ship rental items. The cost of packing and shipping often exceeds the rental cost, making it impractical for both us and our clients. Under certain circumstances, we may accommodate a shipped rental if the item is unlikely to be damaged in transit and the renter agrees to all shipping and handling costs.

Packaging

We typically clean and pack all items before pick-up as time allows. If your item is wrapped when it goes out, please return it in the same packaging. We ask our customers to provide all ropes, ties, or packing blankets needed to secure large items inside vehicles. If you do not want your item cleaned, please let us know at the time the rental is arranged.

Damages & Deposit

The customer is responsible for any damage to items beyond their original condition when released. A credit card number must be kept on file for any damages or loss. Damages and loss may incur repair, cleaning fees, or replacement costs. Replacement fees reflect the labor involved in sourcing items that are vintage or unique and may exceed the item’s “sticker” cost.

Alterations

Any alterations, repairs, or intentional damage must be approved by Chicago Prop Rentals. Generally, only alterations that improve the integrity of the piece are allowed. If the renter modifies any prop without consent, they are responsible for all liability related to that modification and for the costs incurred to restore the prop to its original condition.