How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Stage in California?

Planning a stage or riser? Here’s a quick guide to budgeting in Los Angeles & Southern California—what affects cost, typical ranges, and ways to save.  We’ll help you right-size the platform for your audience, run of show, and venue constraints.

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What Affects Price

• Footprint & height: overall width × depth, platform height, and step count.
• Use case: speech podium, DJ riser, band, runway, choir, graduation, or festival.
• Surface & finish: raw deck vs. carpet, black vinyl, or hard fascia; premium skirts.
• Safety & access: guardrails, stairs with handrails, ADA ramp, toe-kicks.
• Site conditions: indoor vs. outdoor, uneven ground, turf protection, weather cover.
• Logistics & crew: delivery window, long push/elevators, labor hours, after-hours.

Typical Ranges (Guidance)

Small Riser (Podium / DJ / Head Table)

Examples: 6'x8', 8'x8', or 8'x12' at 12–24" height. Includes skirts and basic steps (as needed).

• Day-rate: $200 – $550
• Multi-day: save ~20%

DIY pickup possible for the very smallest; delivery recommended.

Meeting / Wedding Stage

Examples: 12'x16' or 16'x20' at 16–24". Skirts, 1–2 stair units with rails.

• Day-rate: $450 – $1,100
• Add crew: setup/strike included on larger builds

Great for toasts, panels, or small bands.

Live Band / Dance Show

Examples: 16'x24' or 20'x24' at 24–36". Skirts, stairs, partial rails; optional drum/keyboard risers.

• Day-rate: $900 – $2,200+
• Options: carpet top, fascia, additional risers

Engineer & audio package often bundled.

Large / Outdoor / Festival

Examples: 24'x32' and up at 24–48"+. Multiple stair units, guardrails, ballast/turf protection as needed.

• Day-rate: $2,500 – $6,000+
• Crew: build team + lead tech

Add roof/truss for weather and lighting as required.

Popular Add-Ons

Guardrails
Back & sides for safety

Stairs w/ Handrails
1–3 sets depending on flow

ADA Ramp
Compliant access for all

Skirt / Carpet / Fascia
Clean, finished look

Delivery, Setup & Fees

• Delivery/pickup: based on distance, window, parking, and access.
• Build/strike: labor scales with size, height, rails, ramps, and surface leveling.
• Outdoor: weather plans, ballast, turf protection, and permits where required.

How to Save

1. Match the footprint to your program—avoid oversizing.
2. Bundle staging with sound & lighting for package rates.
3. Choose standard heights (12–24") and common deck sizes.
4. Provide flexible load-in/out windows to reduce labor.