Never Thought I Would Ask...but How Much To Charge For This
Decorating By loriemoms Updated 21 Oct 2008 , 4:18pm by loriemoms
I know it is based on region and areas and such, but I have NO idea where to even start on how much to charge for this cake...as well as how hard would this cake be? To help, I usually charge 4.25 for a fondant cake. This looks like a lot more work then just a fondant cake! And is the top fake? Any hints?
I know it is based on region and areas and such, but I have NO idea where to even start on how much to charge for this cake...as well as how hard would this cake be? To help, I usually charge 4.25 for a fondant cake. This looks like a lot more work then just a fondant cake! And is the top fake? Any hints?
Sorry The picture is showing up really distorted. I looks like there is royal icing work I could be wrong. But based on the intricacies of the cake I would think 4.25 is too low for this. I would think 8+.
I think I'd start somewhere around $25 a serving but I can't see the photo real good--so I reserve the option to up that price. For what I can see I'd start there.
So how do you guys decide pricing then? I was asked to price a cake I did and I stood there looking very dumb for a bit since I have never had anyone actually buy one of my cakes. I was thinking like $1 a serving...I am not very good and they are just usually buttercream cakes. THen I come on here and people are talking about at least $3 a serving...???
Honestly, now that I think about it, I would not charge per serving, but really evaluate the amount of time. That cake is more about art than cake. If you can pull that off you deserve at least $50-100 per hour AFTER ingredients are factored in. Attorneys charge $200 an hour and up.... my accountant charged me $450 just to do my taxes and I know it didn't take him more than an hour or two. If they can charge that for plugging numbers into a computer program.... how much for for something truly grand and unique. Duff has a minimum $1000 per cake charge, even on the small ones. You aren't paying for the cake, you're paying for the talent. So that cake would be a minimum of $2000. And that is probably low. Have you seen what lovin' sullivan charges for a cake? For a small cake? I hope you value your talent and ask for $2000 or more.
Don't forget a delivery fee
I would never make that cake, it looks really dificult.
This picture might have more detail: http://www.oklahomasugarartists.com/2005_prize_winners.htm
If you choose to do this one, price it so that it covers all the cakes you would have made in a month .... 'coz I think it will be the only cake you can work on during the month!
So how do you guys decide pricing then? I was asked to price a cake I did and I stood there looking very dumb for a bit since I have never had anyone actually buy one of my cakes. I was thinking like $1 a serving...I am not very good and they are just usually buttercream cakes. THen I come on here and people are talking about at least $3 a serving...???
Yep....and there are some folks on here who would tell you $3.00 per serving is a crime. I like the analogy someone posted comparing taking out 100 people (something like that) to a nice dinner and expecting to get desserts for less than $5.00 a serving. I know I just butchered that, but you can get the idea. Really put it into perspective for me. I haven't charged for cakes yet, other than cost of materials for co workers, but when I get the nerve up, and the talent level, I'm not going for less than $6, to START. I love baking and decorating, but I'm not going to slave over my creations just to only come out covering my costs! HTH somewhat 
All I can say is WOW.. that would be A LOT of work. Too much to do as a real cake. It would take too long. I'd want to do it as a dummy and have kitchen cakes out back. I don't know how I'd price it.. HIGH.. that's for damn sure. 
please tell me someone didn't ask you for a quote on this thing?? That cake looks rediculously hard!! Looks to me like they're all hexagon cakes with all the added thingies on them!
Yeap, a bride sent this to me for a quote...even before a tasting. I think she is looking to see how much it would cost before even trying the cake.
That is a Bronwen Weber cake - the one that won Grand Prize at the 2005 Oklahoma Sugar Art Show.
My guess is that it isn't cake but dummies... and she worked on it for months and months.
Thanks Deanna! I thought it looked familiar. I am not even sure I could handle a cake like this, even at 25 dollars a serving!
This picture might have more detail: http://www.oklahomasugarartists.com/2005_prize_winners.htm
If you choose to do this one, price it so that it covers all the cakes you would have made in a month .... 'coz I think it will be the only cake you can work on during the month!
Thanks Deb for the link! And I agree with you and Leah...I would have to charge a fortune for the cake as I don't think I could do any other cakes that week. And its for a MAY wedding. I will probably tell her it would run into the thousands...I doubt very much she will want it when I tell her that! haha!
I told her 75 dollars a serving and maybe more, as I would have to research it further. For 200 servings. I bet that is her entire wedding budget. I would be very surprised if she went for that! Some brides have very high expectations for their 4.50 or so a serving.
btw, I could never charge a dollar a serving..not even 3 dollars a serving. I would never make any money! Have you see the price of flour and sugar lately? Every time I put in an order, its higher. I hope with the price of gas going down, we will see some releif too!!!!
Good for you.. wouldn't you just crap your pants if she said "Sure!! Let's go for it!" 
I remember an interview with Bronwen about this cake after she won and she said that she only spent about 40 hours on this cake. 
I've looked at this cake alot and never even been able to figure out HOW she did it. 
It's an awesome and make sure let us know what happens. 
I remember an interview with Bronwen about this cake after she won and she said that she only spent about 40 hours on this cake.
I've looked at this cake alot and never even been able to figure out HOW she did it. It's an awesome and make sure let us know what happens.
only 40 hours! I have never spent that much time on one cake...I am not even sure I would have the patience! hahaha!
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