i read so much about pricing...how do you know how much to charge. sometimes i get requests for something i've never done and i don't want to charge too much, but i certainly want to get paid for my work. anyone has any suggestions. i know with wedding cakes some charge by the slice, but often times the designs may take a lot longer and charging by the slice might not be the best way to go. i don't know. i guess i would like something on paper, so i could look at it and total up the cost, but then wouldn't you have to go by your area?

If you feel like you are making a specialty item that one can't get in a grocery look at charging somewhere between the grocery and a bakery. Then if it's something really special or time consuming you can adjust your price to compensate for the extra work.

Hi diane,

I basically have my prices set and if someone wants something way off base then I add about $15-20 more to it.

I've only done one wedding cake and I don't think that I would like charging by the slice...seems like you are cheating yourself.

I have learned never to give a price right away. My standard answer is...That is something a little extra so what I want to do is go home and work up the numbers to make sure I do over charge you or undercharge myself. Please give me 2 days and I will get right back to you. I then go home and figure out how much I think it should be. When its something more than the standard. I start with a base price then add how many hours it will take (approx) and multiply that by 9.00 an hour. Its what I use to pay myself an hourly wage (soemthing that I read in a bakery book) If that doens't make sense send me a message and I will explain better.

Cakingqueen, am very curious as to your base pricing. Is it based on cake size (9" round, sheet, etc....) with basic icing and maybe a border?

deb

It is very helpful if you come up with a "standard" price sheet and have that available when a customer calls for a cake. Write down what sizes you do, figure a basic design (I usually go by how many colors I need to mix and the design itself) and how quickly I can do it. Do you research in your local area, you want to be competetive, but you also don't want to give it away... they can't get what you can offer, at the local grocery store. That's why they come to you. When someone calls, quote them a price, if it's a design or shape that is above "standard", add on another $5, $10 or a %. If it's fondant, add it on. Most wedding cake decorators, shops and bakeries, charge by the slice of the cake. Have this figured out before you discuss pricing w/ a bride. If it's decor above a "standard" design, you charge more. Hope that helps!

ok for example the cake I have attached here I just did for a competition however this is how it would break down.
4 - 10 inch squares (banana chocolate cake with banana mouse filling and frosted in chocolate mouse covered in choc ganache) $75.00 for the cake. The entire cake is completely edible except for the rose stem. The headboard would be $36.00, the lingerie would be $18.00, rose petals and rose would be $9.00. For a total of $138.00