How Much Should I Charge?

Decorating By Chef_Mommy Updated 6 Nov 2005 , 9:48pm by charleydog

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Chef_Mommy Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 3:37pm
post #1 of 16

I made this cake for my daughters baptism and someone asked me to make them one just like it but don't know how much to charge and I have to give them a price soon. Please help me price my cake. It is about 18 inches long, the bottom of the dress is 18 inches wide and the top is 15. It is half yellow and half chocolate with fresh straberry filling and butter cream frosting. All advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Jackie


[/img]D:\\Jackies_pictures\\Sabrina\\Sabrinas Baptism\\DCP_4937.JPG[img][/img]

15 replies
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Chef_Mommy Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 3:42pm
post #2 of 16

Oops guess thats not how you upload a picture. Here it is
LL

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mommykicksbutt Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 3:43pm
post #3 of 16

Where do you live? prices vary greatly depending on location.

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DiH Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 3:46pm
post #4 of 16

Beautiful Cake!

I'd say to just price it "per serving"... however much you (or others in your area) regularly charge.

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Chef_Mommy Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 3:48pm
post #5 of 16

Sorry about the mistakes its the first time I'm posting a picture. I was trying to figure it out I think I got it now.

I live in Chicago.

Jackie

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Chef_Mommy Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 4:00pm
post #6 of 16

I don't know any other "home bakers" but for my sons baptism cake that was shaped like a cross I paid $110.00 it was from a popular Chicago bakery.

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stephanie214 Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 5:38pm
post #7 of 16

Did you have the filling and cake mixture for your cross? if so, then I would go about $20.00 to $25.00 more since this cake is much larger than the cross cake.

In my area, I would charge about $120.00 for all that she wants.

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Cake_Princess Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 5:40pm
post #8 of 16

Sorry, I am not much help on the pricing. Really depends on your market. Try calling around and see if u can discreetly get some prices.

But it's a great cake I love it.

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RaRaRobyn Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 5:42pm
post #9 of 16

Don't live in Chicago, but I'd go with about 130.

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ThePastryDiva Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 6:02pm
post #10 of 16

For a 11x15 cake I charge about $50.00 as it's what I call a 1/2 sheet

there is also a
12x16 and
12x18 that is considered a 3/4 sheet at $75.00

16x24 is a full at $100.00

these are just a "jump off" price for you..remember you will be "carving" your cake to order which is more work involved.

Good luck

HTH

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mommykicksbutt Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 6:47pm
post #11 of 16

call a few bakeries in your area and ask how much for this kind of cake, don't let them know you are their competition, let them think you are looking to buy one from them. Listen to the questions they ask, you can, in turn, ask these same questions of your clients in the future to help figure pricing. Ask the bakery how they figure their pricing for different kinds of cakes. This should help you determine prices. Here in San Diego a plain fondant covered cake starts at $3 per serving at bakeries. We have a cake club here and home bakers usually charge at about $2.50 or less per serving. But the more decorated or complex the design... the more it will cost regardless if it is from a bakery or home sugar crafter. I've seen cakes sell for $12+ per serving!

Check out the business forum here, I'm pretty sure you'll find threads on pricing.

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Chef_Mommy Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 7:18pm
post #12 of 16

Thank you all for your advice.

Jackie

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wendysue Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 8:11pm
post #13 of 16

I'd never be able to charge $100+ where I live. There's so much competition here in this area, this cake would probably only sell for about $60 here. I charge $25 for an 11x15, $30 for a 12x18, and $45 for a full sheetcake. I add a few dollars when the customer wants a lot of colors or elaborate designs.
The best advice is to call around and see what other bakeries charge. You'll need to present yourself as a customer.

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MrsMissey Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 8:14pm
post #14 of 16

I'd have to say that I am thinking more along the lines as ThePastryDiva...$50 to perhaps $75...but again that is just my opinion!

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ThePastryDiva Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 9:35pm
post #15 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrsMissey

I'd have to say that I am thinking more along the lines as ThePastryDiva...$50 to perhaps $75...but again that is just my opinion!




You know MrsMissey..as a 'seasoned" cake decorator..when I have all my ingredients at hand..it takes about 90 minutes to make and bake a cake...so keeping in mind that I want to make at least $10 to $15.00 an hour..that is my jump point.

any cake that I take out of the oven..has the fixed price of about..$15.00 to $20.00...from there I add (kinda ball park in the back of my head) how long it takes me to "work" on it. Some cakes can be churned out in an hour some maybe take 3 days work..depending..

( I have sat for 40 hours over a 3 day period to make gumpaste roses for a cake..)

Usually if you already know what you're paying for your ingredients..and if you dont you should ...

make up a spread sheet for yourself....

calculate how much per egg....cup or pound of flour...ounce of flavoring..etc, etc.

you can pretty much keep track of what a cake "cost"..and if you're NOT doing this..keeping track of your expenses...then...for me...it's just a HOBBY and not a serious PROFESSION.

I was trying to upload a costing sheet and an example of one here...but it's too big.

If anyone would like for me to send them..just PM me with your email and I would be more than happy to do so.

Also, another tip that a friend of mine taught me was to keep notes....she had notebooks full of notes on her cakes.

she would put a diagram of the cake, a picture and how much time she spent making the cake. the cost of all the ingredients..then she would "expand" on the figures.

"cake as is" then she would cost it up and down as the sizes increased or decreased.

The cakes were by category. she was a very simple decorator, just roses on wedding cakes and cutsey pictures on her kids cakes, but she was a VERY busy and successful home baker!

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charleydog Posted 6 Nov 2005 , 9:48pm
post #16 of 16

Well I may not be a "professional", but I still would like to know what is ball park figures. I may not keep track of all my costs, but when I sell a cake that isn't a "hobby"....

Thanks for the info...even though I didn't post this it was very helpful to me as well...

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