I'm new to cake decorating and was wondering if I could get some advice on what to charge. I'm making 2 9" (2 layer) cakes, one w/white buttercream frosting the other with fudge frosting. I live in central midwest and the matrix said to charge $36. This seems a litte high. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you!!
Everybody has their opinions on what to charge. I tend to charge a bit on the lower end. My advice to you is to ask youself what you think you'd want to pay for it if you were on the buying end. If you think it's fair; than so will your customers. (my prices are on my web page, the link is in my signature line.)
are these just plain frosted cakes?? No decorations?? No fillings??? Are you torting them??? In small town Ohio........I could probably ask 20 dollars a piece for a 2 layer 9" cake with VERY simple decorations and basic buttercream icing between the layers and on top!1 So I'd say 40 for both of them but that's only if there isn't a lot of decorations!!!
Thank you both for your help. I also called a few local bakeries to get an idea of what they would charge. It seems like noone really wants to pay what the cake is worth!
I'm in Southern KS....rural community. I would charge no less than $30 each. If you add any decor at all....then up these prices. Cake decorating is alot of work...and if done right, you should get paid well. Don't short yourself. You'll burn out~ My rule of thumb is $25 per cake mix used....and this is my bottom line price.
Which Matrix are you using?
Oh man, here I go again - I'm expensive.......in my world each 9" cake serves 22. At $2.50 a slice that is $55.00 bucks, More if it has fondant, and more if I had to deliver it.
I have seen others on the thread advise pricing all ingredients, including cake board and box then multiplying by 3. (So this will include electicity which we usually forget when costing out a product.) I have not tried that method and have not seen how it works into my pricing.......
Now you are in Springfield and that is a smaller community correct, more than likely it would not take my prices.
When I called around to a few bakeries I found out that they're prices are really low! From $11.99 t0 $13.99 for a 8" 2-layer w/frosting. However, they do have all the supplies readily there and probably in mass quantities! Thanks for everyone's advice!
Phoov - $25 per mix used?! Now I have seen on this site folks figure $12 per box mix, but I like your figure better! That would really cover not only costs but "salary" and utilities. But, I use 1 mix for either an 8" or 9" cake......would you increase the amount say $5 for the 9" cake?
I agree with tiptop - my 9x4ins go for $45 each starting price - the more fancy the decs, the more expensive they become. I value my time & skill too much to just give it away!
When I started doing cakes I decided to make a "price list" so I always charge the same thing. Well I did put $25 for an 8" simply decorated cake! Then for 9" I went up to $35, $40 for 10" and $50 for 12"........sheet cakes are also starting at $30 for 1/4 sheet, not filled.....filling will cost an extra 20 cents per serving on sheet cakes. Someone at my husband's job wants an 8" cake borders, no other decorations), and hopefully wont' think this is too high a price.
I charge $25 for a 9" cake no matter if there is filling or just icing inside and for any pound cake. I charge $35 for a 9"x13" and $50 for a half sheet. I've also found that no one wants to pay for the quality and selections I provide.
I'd stopped baking for MONTHS!!! I began to resent the fact that people will readily gobble anything that is free but when a price tag is placed on that item no one is interested anymore. I've just recently started baking again and it feels wonderful to do what I love AND get paid for my efforts! 
The one thing I never really see factored into a price is a person's skill level. One person's 9 inch cake can be worth more than another persons 9 inch cake. Do you know what I mean? Not all cakes are created equal! Of course that is very subjective. But I looked at your cakes and they are very good! There definitely is attention to detail. I have just started selling and I have set a price of 30 for an 8 inch and 46 for a 10 inch. But I know they are probably worth more, but i dont have the guts yet to ask more yet!
I've also found that no one wants to pay for the quality and selections I provide.
Well, that's it in a nutshell. Some don't want to pay a lot and some cannot afford to pay a lot. I do my cakes for the love of the craft and I enjoy it. I love the different challenges too! I do an average of one to three cakes a week at an average price of $25 each. I want everybody to be able to afford my cakes.
I've also found that no one wants to pay for the quality and selections I provide.
Well, that's it in a nutshell. Some don't want to pay a lot and some cannot afford to pay a lot. I do my cakes for the love of the craft and I enjoy it. I love the different challenges too! I do an average of one to three cakes a week at an average price of $25 each. I want everybody to be able to afford my cakes.
that is very gracious of you. I felt that way before, but I started to resent the time I was putting into them for very little money. While i do love doing it, it does take time from my home and my family. Especially when I know the people buying them from me are making $30 an hour where they work.
I've also found that no one wants to pay for the quality and selections I provide.
Well, that's it in a nutshell. Some don't want to pay a lot and some cannot afford to pay a lot. I do my cakes for the love of the craft and I enjoy it. I love the different challenges too! I do an average of one to three cakes a week at an average price of $25 each. I want everybody to be able to afford my cakes.
We are a lot alike. I do make cakes for the enjoyment and a little extra $ but I was blessed because someone GAVE me all my baking pands and things. But I do wedding cakes too. Those are for the $ I admit. Now do you do other shapes? or just the basic?
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