PA Hire

[Ricesnaps]

OK, so this is something new for me. Just wondered if I could get some suggestions on how to price this sort of service. I know some of you already do so.

Do you only hire out serviced PA, or is Dry hire (or set up and collect only) OK - in which case do you take a larger deposit or have terms and conditions should the PA get damaged?

Lets say, for sake or argument, a daytime PA hire, just one mic, amp and one set of speakers. What would that go out for?

[DMX Will]

I don't do dry hire of anything, no exceptions.

This is mainly because I you can't trust anyone, and without having extra terms, inssurance for hire etc you're not really covered, so it gets a bit complicated. Then theres always the "accidental damage" like turned up the mic too much...feedback for ages...speakers when poof! (not gay ;))

Bands, full 4kw rig, mixing from the back (via snake) full mics/stands (everything) about £150 on my rates.

We do a fashion show twice a year at the school I work at anyway, I charge them £130 for a few lights, wireless mic/CD sound sort of package. It's not too much work as I piggy back off the Hall PA system and technically I'm working for the school too. So the £130 pays for the hire + assistant technician.

I tend to do discounts if they want lights ontop etc (discount on the light packages that is) would probably only add £50 as I would leave the lights to do their own thing if I'm on my own (as sound requires the attention).

I wouldn't recommend doing big band nights without a roadie.

[Ricesnaps]

Will,

No offence but you sound really cheap!

I was thinking about £100 to hire out for the day - just mic and amplification. Is that too much then?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Will,

No offence but you sound really cheap!



I agree.

I don't do 'big' or band PA, but I do charge more than that for a background music PA in some places.

[Ricesnaps]

I agree.

I don't do 'big' or band PA, but I do charge more than that for a background music PA in some places.

Can I ask for a ball part kinda figure for a simple microphone PA?

Do you dry hire / set up and leave? If so, what cover do you have for damage to gear?

[DMX Will]

Will,

No offence but you sound really cheap!

I was thinking about £100 to hire out for the day - just mic and amplification. Is that too much then?


I agree.

I don't do 'big' or band PA, but I do charge more than that for a background music PA in some places.

Maybe I am, problem is, most of the band nights I get asked to do these days are school fundraising to send students of to places like Tanzinear, so the budget isn't huge and I'm also paid as a member of staff ontop of my hire rates.

I have to say though Darren, if you turn up with a CD player/Amp Mixer Kit, plug in a leave for £150, well I feel thats a little OTT, no matter how posh the function

[DMX Will]

Can I ask for a ball part kinda figure for a simple microphone PA?

Do you dry hire / set up and leave? If so, what cover do you have for damage to gear?

I'd be interested to know too, how much did you charge Vigin when you did whatever it was there, if you don't mind me asking?

Perhaps you'd prefer PM. Just be interested.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'd be interested to know too, how much did you charge Vigin when you did whatever it was there, if you don't mind me asking?

Perhaps you'd prefer PM. Just be interested.

£200 for a pair of active cabs, mixer and radio mics.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I have to say though Darren, if you turn up with a CD player/Amp Mixer Kit, plug in a leave for £150, well I feel thats a little OTT, no matter how posh the function

Not at all Will and without wishing to be patronising, you obviously don't know the market.

How much do you think AV companies charge for these basic set ups for conferencing and speeches?

[PropellerHeadCase]

How much do you think AV companies charge for these basic set ups for conferencing and speeches?

Shed-loads.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Shed-loads.

My point precisely.

I think people sometimes forget they are in business to make money.

[NiM]

Bands, full 4kw rig, mixing from the back (via snake) full mics/stands (everything) about £150 on my rates.


:eek:

I know you said that you do work for schools and stuff, but even so.. Thats alot of work for very little return... (stating the obvious)..

When I used to do that kind of work, My starting price was £750 for a very small setup.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:eek:

I know you said that you do work for schools and stuff, but even so.. Thats alot of work for very little return... (stating the obvious)..

When I used to do that kind of work, My starting price was £750 for a very small setup.

You sure?

And you gave this work up to travel on trains doing DMX work? :D

[jamesh]

Bands, full 4kw rig, mixing from the back (via snake) full mics/stands (everything) about £150 on my rates.


Hmmm £150 does seem pretty low - especially for what you are offering...

The smallest pa package i offer starts at £175 - but that does include an engineer for up to 6 hours (inc rig and de-rig) as i don't offer dry hire as my insurance only covers the kit if i am with it... If the function is longer than 6 hours there's an additional engineer charge. Full details can be found on http://www.jameshuk.com/pasoundsystemhire.htm but basically for the £175 you only get a simple setup.....

Basic PA System – 300w

Suitable for smaller function rooms holding 50 people or less for meetings, conferences, prize giving and quiz nights.

2x Powered PSR8a full range speakers & adjustable stands
1x Makie 1202 VLZ Pro (up to 4 mics 2 stereo inputs)
1x Senhiser 835s switched speech wired mic & stands
1x CD player
Cables and connections

For something similar to the package you offer at £150 I'd be charging a minimum of £500 which again would include an engineer and roadie for up to 6 hours (inc rig and de-rig)... with additional charges for extra time. And that's still cheap compared to quite a few A/V companies out there....

When you take into costs such as roadie fees, fuel, kit usage etc...i really cant see how you can be making any money by only charging £150....

[CRAZY K]

Not at all Will and without wishing to be patronising, you obviously don't know the market.

How much do you think AV companies charge for these basic set ups for conferencing and speeches?

Loads--- but often have a lot of back up and are fully set up with a back office for emergencies etc.

I seem to remember a lot of Hotels around Hertfordshire used to have Contracts with these kind of companies.

Rice, if you want to get into that kind of Corporate market you would need as Darren says--a full range of AV and sound equipment--and a back office full time.

Im not sure its a particularly good business for you whilst you are part time.

People expect Entertainers to be part time---but not PA /AV Hire---in my opinion. Certainly not Hotels and the like.

Dont get sucked into PA Hire thats going to cut across your mainstream work on Saturdays.

If you employ people you need Employers Liability cover, Health and Safety
and all the rest of it.

As Will says--damage to equipment is probably the biggest hassle.

I used to do outdoor PA --that was fun--until it started raining:eek:

CRAZY K

[Ricesnaps]

Loads--- but often have a lot of back up and are fully set up with a back office for emergencies etc.

I seem to remember a lot of Hotels around Hertfordshire used to have Contracts with these kind of companies.

Rice, if you want to get into that kind of Corporate market you would need as Darren says--a full range of AV and sound equipment--and a back office full time.

Im not sure its a particularly good business for you whilst you are part time.

People expect Entertainers to be part time---but not PA /AV Hire---in my opinion. Certainly not Hotels and the like.

Dont get sucked into PA Hire thats going to cut across your mainstream work on Saturdays.

If you employ people you need Employers Liability cover, Health and Safety
and all the rest of it.

As Will says--damage to equipment is probablt the biggest hassle.

I used to do outdoor PA --that was fun--until it started raining:eek:

CRAZY K

I appreciate the comments Alan.

Small acorns and all that. I just want to develope my business and who knows, maybe with a view to doing this full time?

I'm certainly not even considering allowing this to take over from my DJ work at the moment, but it does seem a good way to make the kit work for me when I'm not using it. Maybe if it goes well I can do the 2nd PA bit and investigate the larger picture, but I'm going to do the small and slow bit for now.

I have already been asked for a quote (hence this thread) at a venue I am already doing some work with, so I sort of already know the guys there. The quote is for a simple one microphone after lunch speaches thing and the manager of the venue is quite comfortable with tweeking a volume control, but I think wanted to use me for the hire rather than simply dry hiring from another local firm. The plan for this one would be set up Sunday night and collect Monday night. Have quoted £100 for this one, which may be a little cheap compared to others, but then again this would be my first outing as a PA hire, so I don't want to price myself out of the market (and to be fair, it's £100 I wouldn't have otherwise).

Just keen now to make sure I get the contract right "just in case". Or should I be asking for a holding deposit? How would that work? A cheque for a set amount that I don't cash unless???

[DJ Frankie]

Conferencing is a great way to make extra money outside of your discos if you can get it.
My mate owns a conferencing company up in London and can make lots of money from it. His basic conference set up includes staging, set design, 6 speaker pa, lighting etc etc and two techies to run the rig and they can charge anything from £2k, but they have just spent out on over 30k worth of equipment which is top notch stuff.
My main job is working for an AV company and there best source of income is having contracts with local hotels.
My advice would be to try and get to speak with the C&B manager at the hotels and put some ideas and prices past him.

[Ricesnaps]

Conferencing is a great way to make extra money outside of your discos if you can get it.
My mate owns a conferencing company up in London and can make lots of money from it. His basic conference set up includes staging, set design, 6 speaker pa, lighting etc etc and two techies to run the rig and they can charge anything from £2k, but they have just spent out on over 30k worth of equipment which is top notch stuff.
My main job is working for an AV company and there best source of income is having contracts with local hotels.
My advice would be to try and get to speak with the C&B manager at the hotels and put some ideas and prices past him.

That's a great idea. With the baby on the way I'm keen to push things as much as I can!

How do I get an idea of the right hire price though. Obviously wouldn't want to contact hotels without at least having an idea. But as I said, I think I'll start small with the gear I already have and take it from there

[DJ Frankie]

That's a great idea. With the baby on the way I'm keen to push things as much as I can!

How do I get an idea of the right hire price though. Obviously wouldn't want to contact hotels without at least having an idea. But as I said, I think I'll start small with the gear I already have and take it from there


Let me know roughly what equipment you have to hire out RiceSnaps and I will try and compare it with what is hired out by the AV company I work for, normally the hotel will put a mark up on whatever you charge.
Meet with the C&B manager and show him/her your price list of individual items. My advice would be to purchase a screen and projector aswell as these along with a PA system are the most hired items a hotel will ask for the second is the dreaded staging (Which I hate doing) :)

Frankie

[NiM]

You sure?


Tax man agrees with me



And you gave this work up to travel on trains doing DMX work? :D


And yes, but only for speeshul people.. And not just by trains.. I take all forms of transport

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Tax man agrees with me



And yes, but only for speeshul people.. And not just by trains.. I take all forms of transport

Penny farthing?:D

[Ricesnaps]

Let me know roughly what equipment you have to hire out RiceSnaps and I will try and compare it with what is hired out by the AV company I work for, normally the hotel will put a mark up on whatever you charge.
Meet with the C&B manager and show him/her your price list of individual items. My advice would be to purchase a screen and projector aswell as these along with a PA system are the most hired items a hotel will ask for the second is the dreaded staging (Which I hate doing) :)

Frankie

OK,

Well I said this was a slow but sure start.

Currently, was going to offer:

1. small active PA - 150 RMS
2. Radio Mic JTS UHF
3. Wired hand held mic
4. Larger PA - amp, mixer & speakers (basically my disco PA)
4. CD music through any PA if required.

Not a lot I know, but a start. Would certainly consider buying small extras for a booking as I build things up - maybe a tie clip mic, the projector you suggest, slightly larger mixer and so on

[NiM]

Only if I'm travelling up North.. I like to fit in with the local way of life..

[CRAZY K]

OK,

Well I said this was a slow but sure start.

Currently, was going to offer:

1. small active PA - 150 RMS
2. Radio Mic JTS UHF
3. Wired hand held mic
4. Larger PA - amp, mixer & speakers (basically my disco PA)
4. CD music through any PA if required.

Not a lot I know, but a start. Would certainly consider buying small extras for a booking as I build things up - maybe a tie clip mic, the projector you suggest, slightly larger mixer and so on

Just to put my two pence in here--if you are going to do what is being suggested here I really think you would need to have a daily contact number---people in Hotels want things done quickly---correct me if im wrong-
generally they want to pick up a phone and get an answer---not wait till the next day and leave a message on an answerphone---mobile might be acceptable if answered--dont people just hate mucking about leaving messages--I do if I want something sorted quickly.

Theres a company in Watford called Stage One who have tied up the a lot of Hotels around the area for AV and Sound equipment. Ian might know of them.

I know them because the founder used to be a DJ like me--doing mobiles in competition with me in the 60s in Watford.

The difference was my partner got ideas of grandeur and went on his own to oblivion--I carried on the day job and didnt make the leap to full time entertainment--this guy did and made a success of it.

He got a shop flogging DJ stuff and hiring etc cross selling and using equipment and has been very successful I believe.

Thats the way to do it but you would in my opinion need to be full time to give the service needed.

Just my view--I cant see any point canvassing local Hotels at this stage if you have evenings only availability--unless of course your other half will be around all the time to answer the phone:D

HTH

We can continue this conversation on the 1st Sept!

CRAZY K

[Ricesnaps]

Crazy...

0845 number diverts to my mobile which I have with me at work!

[CRAZY K]

Crazy...

0845 number diverts to my mobile which I have with me at work!

Yeah, not when your talking to the boss, in a meeting, on the phone or dont you do those things ?:D :D :D

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT:D

CRAZY K

[TONYTIGER]

Perhaps i can give some advice on this subject ,i started as a small local mobile dj many years ago and invested my spare cash in buying gear for hiring ,i have now built up a medium size hire co. Firstly you need to identfy your market and what would be the most popular type of gear to invest in.Even today i still find the simple mobile disco package brings the most regular returns, for a normal package like twin/cd mixer speakers amp mic plus a stand with say 3 simple effects goes out for £75 dry hire i can do 3 or 4 every weekend soon mounts up, pricing all depends on your location.when we do wet hire sound or lighting we charge £20 per hour on top of the eqipment rate. All though we have some amazing gear in our hire portfolio it is still the simple gear that keeps ticking over. how much you charge is down to how much you have invested in a certain item work out a % so say after you have hired it say 10x it is paid for then its making money,quite often we have customers who like the eqipment and want to buy so you then generate sales.I have a one man outfit with mostly part time help at w/e and turnover is considerable some of our hire jobs are £400 to £800 a day but i started with just a spare disco setup with old gear not in use ,so go for it "FROM SMALL ACORNS"

[PropellerHeadCase]

It seems to me, with the equipment that you have and your availability that you should be marketing your hireable rig(s) to the iPod wedding brigade of which we have spoken so much recently. We all know that these are a fact, and with early afternoon garden party type dos where the iPod solution makes more sense you could conceivably hire in the afternoon and have available as back up in the evening, which can't be bad. Plus PA for iPod is a logical cross-sell for a client who is undecided on the merits of a DJ.

[TonyB]

Personally I wouldn't do dry hire of my own disco gear. I have only loaned my equipment to a friend I know well once and when it came back there were scratches on the CD decks front and the speakers had a couple of dents and one had mud on it. Other people will not look after your gear like you do.

I now have an old amp and speakers that I let people hire but no way is anyone else using my own gear unless I am there.

[Skins]

I have two lots of PA and hire out my "budget" one for small gigs.

It has a:

behringer amp,
bose crossover,
Citronic dual cd player,
2x Speaker stands
2x Bose 802`s
and new behringer mixer.
AKG mics and a backup SM58

All fits in one small flightcase and is on wheels, and have to say it paid for itself after just a few gigs.

Its used by several companies in swindon for meetings, conferencing work etc:

It came about when I had a call from large company one day asking for urgent help after their kit packed up. I supplied them with some gear and because I was half the price of the company they wanted to use, decided to give me the work.

The guys they wanted to use charged £350 a day for the same kit, so I offered it for £200 and bobs ya uncle.

Never had a problem.

Although I work, I can get the stuff delivered at the drop of a hat and its sooo easy to use. I also rent this out to other companies as well who still says its cheap but hey, it what helps pay the mortgage!

I have also spoke to a few hotel marketing managers and such like and had alot of work last year up until about a month ago. Guess its holidays and stuff so its slowed down a bit.

worth doing if you want to make a bit of extra dosh. Keeps the tax man happy as well.!:rolleyes:

Shaun