Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating Business › How much should I price this particular cake..would be a first order
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

How much should I price this particular cake..would be a first order

post #1 of 10
11/25/12 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 
I had made a three tier buttercream cake with fondant decorations as a birthday gift. 10,8 and 6 with 10 being WASC with strawberry filling, 8 was red velvet with creamcheese filling and 6 was a chocolate with raspberry filling. When I estimated the cost, it was about $45.
I had a guest call me to ask if she wanted an exact same cake in blue instead of the pink's, how much would it be. I am kind of lost! I said I will get back to her. I am in Orlando, FL and a home baker.

http://cakecentral.com/g/a/3268485/birthday-cake-photos/
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 10
11/25/12 at 5:10pm
How many hours did it take to make (including prep, baking, decorating, and cleanup)? How much did the ingredients cost?
.
The Bakery Business Perspective
An experimental blog with new content every Tuesday!

Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
Reply
.
The Bakery Business Perspective
An experimental blog with new content every Tuesday!

Recent Articles: The Magic Pricing Formula • Copyright Law
Reply
post #3 of 10
11/25/12 at 5:15pm

This is no way an insult, but you live in Orlando and you calculated that 3 tier to only $44? You're nice! haha...I would charge at least $70, even more.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. -Dr. Suess

Reply

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. -Dr. Suess

Reply
post #4 of 10
11/25/12 at 5:20pm

@Vkakes11 - I think the OP is saying her cost to make the cake is $45 but as Jason is asking, what were the other costs, because I believe that's her ingredient cost.

 

I can't speak for your area and such, but for me that would be about $250.  You have to include more than just ingredient costs.  You need to calculate how long it took for you to make it and include a labour cost, as well as overhead. and then calculate a profit margin.   My price is based on about $3.50/serving.

Reply
Reply
post #5 of 10
11/25/12 at 5:22pm

You want to figure how much time you spent. Then price the value of your time into an hourly rate.. I am assuming the $44 was cost of product. Then you need to add your hourly rate plus shipping to the cost of materials.
 

Reply
Reply
post #6 of 10
11/25/12 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the prompt replies... $45 was the cost of the ingredients, cake boards dowels etc... Since I was working on it off and on.. I couldn't keep track but I would say atleast 5 hrs.. definitely more as I was a first timer in tiered cakes..
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 10
12/1/12 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
I quoted $200 to a few people and their expressions were like "really?. For a cake?"

Oh well!
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 10
12/1/12 at 11:09pm

That sounds like a fair price.  Especially in the beginning people will underestimate all the labor and hard work that goes into making a specialty cake.  If they don't want to pay it they can always go to their local baker and get something of a lesser quality and workmanship.

Reply
Reply
post #9 of 10
12/1/12 at 11:11pm

$200+ sounds like a fair price.

Reply
Reply
post #10 of 10
12/2/12 at 5:56am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reassurance. I thought I over quoted. But then I didnt want any additional headache for less than $200
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Cake Decorating Business
Cake Central › Cake Forums › Cake Talk › Cake Decorating Business › How much should I price this particular cake..would be a first order