Another Pricing Question....(Sorry).

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

Following on from something I mentioned in Deltic's 'Very Small Set Up' thread, I was wondering about the following and what some of you do.

I know we've all mentioned the 'less is more' thing loads of times but I think Deltic's small set up was ideal for the space and size of the venue he was in and a perfect example.

What I want to know is.... Do you price accordingly to the size of the rig etc?
One of the things I mention on my site, in enquiries and meetings is that I will "Tailor each set up to suit the customer's requirements" and that's exactly what I do (my function on 10th July has requested no strobe lighting due to some people with epilepsy so I will be using mainly Uplighters changing colour on the bars and some Source Abyss lights).

Because a small set up will obviously take less time to build, do you charge less? Personally, I don't and wouldn't because in my opinion, yes the equipment is important and should look good but it's the duration and me that they are really paying for.....isn't it?

You can look at it the other way aswell though can't you and that's if you have a big gig and need more equipment which will take more time to set up, do you charge more? It almost sounds hypercritical but I don't really do big gigs (I class big gigs as over 250 guests) so my pricing doesn't change but what do you do?

Personal thoughts are.... If you have a gig where there are say (example) 50 guests in a small venue and you need to put in a small, compact set up, I would STILL charge the same. You are STILL providing the service and meeting the customer's requirements and you are putting in a rig that you think will suit their chosen venue. Unless the duration is less, I would still charge the same.

I'm going round in circles here so apologies....I'm sure you know what I mean (even though I'm finding it hard explaining it....been up since 5.15am) :eek:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I only charge more if a very large rig is required.

Good example is this Saturday. Client wanted 8 moving heads on 8m truss, 2 x movers on podiums, uplighting, white starlit dance floor etc, so I charged extra.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Too right Darren.
If that had come my way, I would've had to source a lot of that stuff in. What you have just said is a classic example of a customer knowing EXACTLY what they want from you. You are able to provide it all and therefore tailor a rig to suit their requirements.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Hi all,

Following on from something I mentioned in Deltic's 'Very Small Set Up' thread, I was wondering about the following and what some of you do.

I know we've all mentioned the 'less is more' thing loads of times but I think Deltic's small set up was ideal for the space and size of the venue he was in and a perfect example.

What I want to know is.... Do you price accordingly to the size of the rig etc?
One of the things I mention on my site, in enquiries and meetings is that I will "Tailor each set up to suit the customer's requirements" and that's exactly what I do (my function on 10th July has requested no strobe lighting due to some people with epilepsy so I will be using mainly Uplighters changing colour on the bars and some Source Abyss lights).

Because a small set up will obviously take less time to build, do you charge less? Personally, I don't and wouldn't because in my opinion, yes the equipment is important and should look good but it's the duration and me that they are really paying for.....isn't it?

You can look at it the other way aswell though can't you and that's if you have a big gig and need more equipment which will take more time to set up, do you charge more? It almost sounds hypercritical but I don't really do big gigs (I class big gigs as over 250 guests) so my pricing doesn't change but what do you do?

Personal thoughts are.... If you have a gig where there are say (example) 50 guests in a small venue and you need to put in a small, compact set up, I would STILL charge the same. You are STILL providing the service and meeting the customer's requirements and you are putting in a rig that you think will suit their chosen venue. Unless the duration is less, I would still charge the same.

I'm going round in circles here so apologies....I'm sure you know what I mean (even though I'm finding it hard explaining it....been up since 5.15am) :eek:

I work on the ethos of giving them the best rig for their budget and that an overbearing setup in a small space isn't as good as a more compact setup that fits in with the surrounding area such as Deltics set up.

As Darren says if they want that bit extra then they pay more but I don't go below my standard pricing if space is at a premium

[JTRS]

I haven't charged anyone any more for a larger set-up, but I do charge more if they want Karaoke including in their disco.

My logic was that Karaoke involves more (and different) kit to that which a standard disco would require and also the additional expense of Karaoke disks that need to be kept upto date.

When I first started out DJing I guess I had enough equipment to do an average (if there is such a thing) size venue but added to my equipment when funds allowed or I scoped the venue beforehand and realised what I had wasn't enough. Because I viewed the increase in equipment as something I could use again in the future I didn't increase my charges, I guess that was also influenced by the fact I was just starting up as a DJ and wanted to build my client base up.

Having read Darren's reply I think I might be changing my way of thinking for some of the bigger jobs that I am asked to quote on

JTRS

[Cowlinn]

I only charge more if a very large rig is required.

Good example is this Saturday. Client wanted 8 moving heads on 8m truss, 2 x movers on podiums, uplighting, white starlit dance floor etc, so I charged extra.

That sounds brilliant! Make sure you take some photos :)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That sounds brilliant! Make sure you take some photos :)

We are also supplying a small P.A. for the ceremony and the disco until 1am. It is the biggest paying job I've ever had too. ;)

[TONYTIGER]

We promise our clients around 45 min set and break down time you be surprised how many clients moan that they had to hang around for hours while the disco packed away the point of this is if it is a one man outfit it is cheaper if i have to use help it is reflected in the price so small compact show is cheaper.

[Cowlinn]

We are also supplying a small P.A. for the ceremony and the disco until 1am. It is the biggest paying job I've ever had too. ;)

ooooo very nice ;)
Can we definitely see some piccys? :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

ooooo very nice ;)
Can we definitely see some piccys? :D

Yep, I am probably going to take stills and video.

[Cowlinn]

Yep, I am probably going to take stills and video.

So do you own 10 movers in total? or is anything being sourced from elsewhere :)

[CRAZY K]

Hi all,

Following on from something I mentioned in Deltic's 'Very Small Set Up' thread, I was wondering about the following and what some of you do.

I know we've all mentioned the 'less is more' thing loads of times but I think Deltic's small set up was ideal for the space and size of the venue he was in and a perfect example.

What I want to know is.... Do you price accordingly to the size of the rig etc?
One of the things I mention on my site, in enquiries and meetings is that I will "Tailor each set up to suit the customer's requirements" and that's exactly what I do (my function on 10th July has requested no strobe lighting due to some people with epilepsy so I will be using mainly Uplighters changing colour on the bars and some Source Abyss lights).

Because a small set up will obviously take less time to build, do you charge less? Personally, I don't and wouldn't because in my opinion, yes the equipment is important and should look good but it's the duration and me that they are really paying for.....isn't it?

You can look at it the other way aswell though can't you and that's if you have a big gig and need more equipment which will take more time to set up, do you charge more? It almost sounds hypercritical but I don't really do big gigs (I class big gigs as over 250 guests) so my pricing doesn't change but what do you do?

Personal thoughts are.... If you have a gig where there are say (example) 50 guests in a small venue and you need to put in a small, compact set up, I would STILL charge the same. You are STILL providing the service and meeting the customer's requirements and you are putting in a rig that you think will suit their chosen venue. Unless the duration is less, I would still charge the same.

I'm going round in circles here so apologies....I'm sure you know what I mean (even though I'm finding it hard explaining it....been up since 5.15am) :eek:

We offer two Barn Dance Disco packages for Weddings and Parties--the first is the standard Barn Dance plus standard speakers (Pro 15s) waits for the knockers again:eek: no lights and a full range of Your Choice music.

Music does the talking not the lights eh?

I FIND NOT EVERYONE NEEDS TO TURN THE LIGHTS OUT TO ENJOY THEMSELVES.

This WAS INTENDED for people with less to spend, did one last night which is exactly what Gary talks about--VERY small dance floor 25 x15 feet no room for proper set up but they still wanted the good time dancing and Music. My mistake was thinking these clients were short of money--uh oh arrive at very plush Golf Club in Woking and realise nope not the case B and G drive a socking great Mercedes. Point is they WANTED A SMALL SET UP BECAUSE ITS GOT A VERY SMALL DANCE FLOOR.

I CHARGED A MIDDLE PRICE.

For standard Weddings we supply bigger speakers, Disco Lights and charge our top price, suitable for venues up to 150.

Incidentally Gary charging on numbers is not clear cut, last night had 100 guests but a TINY Dance Floor and no real set up area.

You get offered so much work I agree charge your full fee whatever the size of your event--here we dont get as many enquiries to allow us to do that--horses for courses.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

We are also supplying a small P.A. for the ceremony and the disco until 1am. It is the biggest paying job I've ever had too. ;)



That sounds good.

well done in securing that gig

so will that be the £500 plus

[Shaun]

so will that be the £500 plus

No. The 500 plus would be his standard rig. :d

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

So do you own 10 movers in total? or is anything being sourced from elsewhere :)

Most of it is being sourced from elsewhere. I don't do enough of those size events to justify buying that kind of kit.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

That sounds good.

well done in securing that gig

so will that be the £500 plus

Shaun is correct. ;)

I wasn't going to say, but if you really want to know, it cost them slightly just under £2.5K for everything.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Shaun is correct. ;)

I wasn't going to say, but if you really want to know, it cost them slightly just under £2.5K for everything.



that must be some hell of a set up

what time do you start to set up and when do you think you will finish?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

that must be some hell of a set up

what time do you start to set up and when do you think you will finish?

I don't do it all!

I have people putting the uplighting and floor in, in the morning, the small P.A. will go in for the ceremony at lunchtime and the moving heads and truss will go in around an hour before the evening starts.

I personally will be putting in my RCF rig, with 2 subs and 2 tops, plus playout and S&H booth around an hour before too.

The evening finishes at 1am and I will probably be home by 2am.

[TONYTIGER]

I don't do it all!

I have people putting the uplighting and floor in, in the morning, the small P.A. will go in for the ceremony at lunchtime and the moving heads and truss will go in around an hour before the evening starts.

I personally will be putting in my RCF rig, with 2 subs and 2 tops, plus playout and S&H booth around an hour before too.

The evening finishes at 1am and I will probably be home by 2am.

Sounds like a amazing gig ,with all that lighting is someone going to look after the operation of the lighting for you .

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Sounds like a amazing gig ,with all that lighting is someone going to look after the operation of the lighting for you .

Yep, the price also included an LD too.

[rob1963]

I can fully understand why someone would charge less for a smaller set up or more for a larger one.

After all, we charge largely for our time, and a smaller set up takes less time to carry in & set up than a larger one.