Thread: Big question.

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Hey everyone, new to the forum, but I'll be starting off with a pretty big question. I've wanted to run a haunted house for a while now. I know small 'home' haunts are always the first thing to come up when a beginner or somewhat beginner wants to give haunting a shot. I'm not saying I want to be a full on proffesional haunt because I know I probably could not handle it, however, I don't think a small haunt will satisfy me.


I realize that patience and working up, larger and larger each year is key but next halloween is one of my last chances to do so. I've considered a few options, like building it in a family members property as they have a much larger space, but I still feel restricted there. I've considered ideas from local business spaces that are out of use or not rented, to finding a field or forest space that I would be allowed to use. I don't know enough about insurancing and permits to say much about a forest space. How do I go about securing such a location or a location of any kind? Will they take a younger person seriously? Any help related to any aspect of a 'novice', if you will, haunted attraction will be greatly, greatly appreciated.


I understand that I may be in way over my head, but I'm willing to work through it to make whatever I can get my hands on the best that it can be. Thanks.

They'll take you seriously if you show them the cash.

The easiest answer is to pick up the phone. Call your insurance agent and tell him what you want to do and then ask what kind of insurance you'll need and how much it'll cost. Then call the fire department. Ask him what codes apply if you rent a building then go find out what it would take to bring an existing building up to code, or rent one that is already up to code. Don't forget to check on getting a business license and all the tax paperwork

there is a thread in here somewhere where it talks about renting and the insurance to do the haunt but I do not remember who it was that started that thread..... I am useless right now. HOMEWORK is slamming me at the moment. Yet here I am checking through the HF. LOL!

Thanks for the quick replies! Phoning makes a considerable amount of sense. What I am also concerned with is locations that aren't necesarilly buildings. Any thoughts on that?

there are plenty of haunts without buildings. Have you ever worked at a pro haunt? its great to do to get the feel for it. I also know a place that specializes in working with you on haunt design on any scale, so send me a message if you want more info on something like that.

I replied to your message LadyAlthea. Any other adivce or insight when it comes to starting a non-'building' haunt?

For these next ten years, learning everything as you go (and grow)...you will look back upon this moment with awe and be amazed at How Much "Stuff" you learned, had to learn just to make it all have even a chance of even happening!
If you are a person who simply "Loves" Halloween..... I recommend NOT trying to have your own haunt (work for some one who does instead)
As the owner, you may never "see" or enjoy another October 31st again.
You will be much too busy running a business.
Your haunt business.

I have owned my haunted house for 23 years and I have had it open for business EVERY night of the year, plus Sat. & Sun. afternoons.
If I was located in a large city I would be dead or commited by now. It works out nicely most of the year as far as the number and the quality of patrons who darken my wallet., door.
October the crowds become sometimes maddenly stupid, demanding ,drunken with many of them thinking this place is open just for them and their friends in October..guess again!
They call demanding private tours during the busiest time of the entire year?
The real "Topper" this last season was the woman on the phone, arguing with my Wife, insisting that the house is in a town ten miles away from here!?
Most of the time I laugh long and hard every night as I entertain people , which surely makes it ALL Worth It!
Most Certainly.

I am sure location, location, location should be high on the list. Don't want to do all the work if it is too far off the beaten path.

I sincerly understand the pursue factor. I can completely appreciate that advice. But I do want somewhere to start. I know I can't jump right in to owning a haunt buisness, and I don't want to, I just don't think a 'home haunt' will cut it for me this year. I always have the option, but this coming year being a critical year, I want to do the absolute best I can with everything that I have. I just feel that a small home haunt wouldn't be my best work. I could be wrong, and realize I have more to learn then I can even imagine, but I'm struggling to find this middle ground between a small home event and a professional buisness, which this year is what I'm looking for. Any information is appreciated more then you know.