Staires

[funkymike]

Do you charge more for staires in a venue, do you ask before hand or what happens when you get there and youre not told about staires?

I got caught out last night (my fault should have gone before the gig, but just run out of time) had to park wrong end of the car park, walk through a packed pub (food pub) and up 2 flights of horrible stairs, I was knackered before I started, my knees are killing me today. Felt like chargeing more, but just started 10 mins later.


your thoughts


mike

[Shaun]

My road/flight case weighs a ton so I do charge extra for venues with stairs. There are 1 or 2 venues I choose not to play because of difficulty in "load in".

[KrazyKaz]

Never really thought about charging extra for venues with stairs.
Most of the venues I do are church/village halls and stairs have not been an issue yet.

[DMX Will]

We don't charge more for stairs. You couldn't really charge more than a tenner for stairs, so it hardly seems worth it.

[spin mobile disco]

Stairs are a pain but as long as its not more than one story up I dont think its worth charging extra. Mind you I once played the inland revenue building in portsmouth 11 Stories UP!!!! Luckily i found a goods lift round the back, but still had to make 3 trips up due to weight restriction.

[Ricesnaps]

Do you charge more for staires in a venue, do you ask before hand or what happens when you get there and youre not told about staires?

I got caught out last night (my fault should have gone before the gig, but just run out of time) had to park wrong end of the car park, walk through a packed pub (food pub) and up 2 flights of horrible stairs, I was knackered before I started, my knees are killing me today. Felt like chargeing more, but just started 10 mins later.


your thoughts


mike
Abso bloody lootly!

[A1DL]

at the enquiry stage, we ask if the function is on the ground floor, and if not, if a lift is available.

we don't charge more for stairs (unless an extreme situation such as on the fifth floor with no lift), but it is important to know as some of our DJs can only work on the ground floor, therefore essential information when placing a DJ to a job

[Keri]

We don't charge more for stairs. You couldn't really charge more than a tenner for stairs, so it hardly seems worth it.


Dunno how you can say that........

[alexperrins]

I haven't had a problem as yet, but I don't think I'd charge unless it's more than two flights or something. I guess it's a personal thing and how light your gear is!

[Thames Valley Discos]

I ask before taking booking. If it has stairs or parking issue, i pop along before taking the booking. If the customer books a venue with no parking or on the 10th floor, thats their problem, so yes the cost does go up!

[Paul James Promotions]

It depends on the size of the show and how many flights of stairs. Usually I will need to use an extra 'roadie', so that will add £50 to the fee.

[A1DL]

It depends on the size of the show and how many flights of stairs. Usually I will need to use an extra 'roadie', so that will add £50 to the fee.

You mean you can't carry a Stasys 8 bin up a couple of flights of stairs by yourself , Jamie ??? :teeth: :teeth: :teeth:

[Paul James Promotions]

You mean you can't carry a Stasys 8 bin up a couple of flights of stairs by yourself , Jamie ??? :teeth: :teeth: :teeth:

I was thinking more along the lines of 120kg Infinite rack :omg:

[A1DL]

:omg: ouch, didn't realise they were as heavy as our Macros, I bet you've got your eye on the Kryos now though....

[leighinstoke]

I don't get many gigs that are in upstairs rooms and the only one I do I get help from the guy who runs the bar - so never think to charge more.

Leigh.....

[CRAZY K]

I would especially check carefully with any bookings in big cities like London , Birmingham etc because they do have these kind of buildings with functions help above ground level.

I sympathise Mike-its an nightmare when your not expecting it and dont allow extra time--

Got caught in Birmingham last year--told it was a School--which it was---but huge old place with the function room up a flight of winding stairs--- :mad:

I now tend to always ask more information about the venue unless I know it or its obvious whats involved. Yes Rice is right--you may need to hire extra helpers.

Yesterday enquiry from nice lady, husband holding function in private club near the River Thames---my first question---err is it upstairs :sad:

You just know some of these properties hang over the River and are usually several stories high. This one was ground floor.

I know several DJs quote subject to maximum travelling distances from unloading point etc--

I got caught a few weeks ago at a Marquee gig--absolutlely miles from the unloading point which is unusual--I always quote a decent fee for jobs like Marquees then if its hard work---hey you have been properly paid.

By the way Leigh--what happens if that bloke helping you smashes your gear or kills himself -or both?

You need to think about these issues as regards the Legal and Insurance( or lack of it) side of things

CRAZY K

[ian8limelight]

At the point of enquiry I ask about venue location (i.e. ground floor), parking, accessibility, etc. Dependant on the response, I normally would add an additional fee for stairs as it increases the time you are at the venue.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What's the matter with you lot?

Charging extra for stairs....I ask you!

[CRAZY K]

Time is money--- :sad:

CRAZY K

[Have a disco]

Questions always asked before I even look at venue

EXTRA £35 per flight of stairs to function room

Most times no problem customers explained before I attend and I have to get assistance to hall free of cost

[BeerFunk]

This thread is a carbon copy of another one somewhere....

I'm surprised that anyone would charge more for having to go upstairs, unless it's really bad. If I have a difficult load-in/out venue, it's tough luck, but I get on with it and charge the same.

[Thames Valley Discos]

i charge per step.. the more the better lol

[kilmeedyman]

Well being disabled as I am at the moment, if a venue has stairs I always charge more because it means taking a roadie with me.

I have had an agent send me to a venue where he declared 'no stairs, easy access' only to be confronted with a bundle of awkward stairs and there am I with no roadie on the advice of the agent. Needless to say he got a rocket from me and I haven't worked for him since. In that instance I begged the hotel porter to help me which he said he couldn't do until I showed him a twenty.

Anyway, the story is only to illustrate why stairs can make a difference, but they certainly with me affect the price I quote to pay for a roadie.

[Paul James Promotions]

I bet you've got your eye on the Kryos now though....

...and these Psycho subs :p

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well being disabled as I am at the moment, if a venue has stairs I always charge more because it means taking a roadie with me.

I have had an agent send me to a venue where he declared 'no stairs, easy access' only to be confronted with a bundle of awkward stairs and there am I with no roadie on the advice of the agent. Needless to say he got a rocket from me and I haven't worked for him since. In that instance I begged the hotel porter to help me which he said he couldn't do until I showed him a twenty.

Anyway, the story is only to illustrate why stairs can make a difference, but they certainly with me affect the price I quote to pay for a roadie.

For you maybe Phil, but no-one else on here has that problem as far as I know.

I do a venue which is upstairs, but doesn't actually take any longer getting into than a regular venue, so why charge more just because it's a bit of extra effort on your part?

Having said that, I worked at the Castle Hotel in Windsor on Friday, and what a place that is to get into....

[A1DL]

...and these Psycho subs :p

see Gramps is ordering 16 of them :omg: and TWELVE MkII Stasys 3s :omg: :omg:

http://www.speakerplans.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6582

[kilmeedyman]

For you maybe Phil, but no-one else on here has that problem as far as I know.

Having said that, I worked at the Castle Hotel in Windsor on Friday, and what a place that is to get into....
I have never charged more (or considered it) for stairs/access until now and that was the point of my post - it is only that stairs cost me additional money to service which is why I charge it on.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I have never charged more (or considered it) for stairs/access until now and that was the point of my post - it is only that stairs cost me additional money to service which is why I charge it on.

But then you have to consider if the client is interested in that, don't you?

It's like me saying, well I'm not very fit, so I'll have to get a couple of people to help me, and I'll have to pay them, so this is the extra I'll be charging you.

Not having a pop Phil, but just looking at it from the clients point of view.

Do they really care how long it takes you to load or set up?

[kilmeedyman]

No, get you completely Daz. The two agents I use both know my situation and quote accordingly for venues they know have stairs - funny, the last four gigs I have had have all had steps, I have taken a roadie each time and have been paid a higher rate.

I never suggested that the client knows how I calculate what price I will charge.

Weddings they often do care how long you take to set up, especially if they are making you wait for the breakfast, speeches etc. to finish so that you can get in to set up before they can have their first dance.

[Dragonfly]

have to say i quote more for stairs for the same disability reasons as earlier stated if ive got to carry all my gear up 10 flights of stairs ..... all i can do for the next 3 days is breathe ...... still all for the love of the job hey.

[spin mobile disco]

Having said that, I worked at the Castle Hotel in Windsor on Friday, and what a place that is to get into....

Lol done that venue myself about 10 years ago, I assume its same place. Lots of narrow passages ,doors that have nothing to hold them open. And just enough steps in places to make sure you cant use a trolley.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Lol done that venue myself about 10 years ago, I assume its same place. Lots of narrow passages ,doors that have nothing to hold them open. And just enough steps in places to make sure you cant use a trolley.

No, there was two flights of stairs there.

Having said that, last time I worked there, I went in the back way which seemed to have less stairs etc

[spin mobile disco]

I must be thinking of another hotel in windsor then, definatly had caste in the title a big white building looks like an old army barracks on about 3 -4 stories.

[magicfm]

There's a bar in Belfast that I, like other local djs avoid like the plague. 4th floor has the disco floor. No lift, just 4 steep flights of concrete steps.

Last time I was in it I was stuck behind some old man with a walking stick. :angry: while trying to hold a large speaker on my head.

I overquote everytime to compensate for the physical strain I have to endure in that place.

So yes why not - it's extra work so charge more!

When you get to my age stairs really matter and i'm only 31 :)

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