When thinking about having a Chinchilla for a pet you need to take many things into consideration.
Do you want a baby or an older Chinchilla?
One from a breeder or a rescue?
Do you have enough time for a Chinchilla?
Will you have one or two or more?
Girls or boys?
Where will they live? etc etc...
Also you should read and research as much as possible about what the Chinchilla will require from you. If you decide to go ahead with having a Chinchilla then you will need the following as basics:
A wire mesh cage (at least 18" deep x 24" wide x 24" high)
A house
A sand bath
Food bowl
Water bottle
Hay rack
Pellets
Wood shavings
Hay
Pumice/mineral stone
Toys
On my Adverts page you will see the sort of cage that is required. If the cage has a mesh floor and shelves (like mine do) then you will need somewhere with a solid floor. I tend to fill the wood shaving at the bottom up so it covers the wire base making it soft on the feet. It is also required to soak up urine and needs to be cleaned regularly. Also the house that I put in has a flat wooden roof to sit on. You could also make wooden shelves to secure over the current wire ones. There are many different places to buy cages from so take your time to search for the best quality, size and price. Any queries just ask.
A Chinchilla requires a regular (usually once a day) sand bath. You can buy Chinchilla bath sand from most pet shops, usually Charlie Chinchilla. This is perfectly suitable and brings my Chin's fur up lovely. If you are wanting to show your Chin then maybe purchasing a higher quality sand would be good. I have a link on my Links page to a site that sells it. Also your local pet shop may well order it in for you in larger and cheaper quanties.
I originally had a plastic sand bath which I quickly discovered was a bad idea. Although it had curved sides so the sand didn't come out when they bathed, it did allow them to eat a hold in the side very quickly. Of course after that it is useless as the sand comes out. Instead I have discovered that Quality Street tins are great. They are cheap (free if you've got one spare after eating all the chocs!) and they are metal so they can't eat them and also a good size for two to get in together as they tend to like to do. It can be very entertaining watching them roll around together!
You will quickly learn how much food your Chinni likes. Usually approx 20g of pellets each day. They should always be fed on pellets. Charlie Chinchilla is what you will find in the pet shops but it is a museli and they just pick out the tasty bits and not the important bits! Also info from breeders and other rescuers has always been to steer clear from it as it seems to induce tooth problems which can be fatal.
Hay should always be made readily avaliable as it is a vital part of the diet. There is a high fibre and high protein version called Alfalfa but this should be given as more of a treat than a permanent supply.
Obviously a water bottle is required and a fresh daily supply should be given. A pumice or mineral stone is required so the Chinchilla can grind it's teeth down and keep them in good shape. Also a clean/disinfected pebble to knaw on or a branch (only of certain types of wood) are good. Recommended woods are Apple, Pear, Haxel, Willow and Mulberry.
Toys are great to keep your Chinchilla entertained. Most pet shops will have toys specifically for Chinchillas and toys for birds that hang from the top of the cage can be good too. Make sure though that the Chinchilla will not hurt itselfs whilst playing and that there is enough room to still run around.
Also please remember that some woods can hurt a Chinchilla so please check the item you are given them.