Hi there! I've been a long time snooper, but this is my first crack at posting my own pricing question. I know that can often be a hot button for some cake artists, so I appreciate any courteous support :) 

As I continue to build my home cottage baking business, I'm striving to enter the realm of "competitive pricing". Let's just say after 4 years, I'm done with making $5 an hour for my services, and my boyfriend is putting his foot down on my super "friend and family discounts" (I mean does a friend's - sister's - cousin in law really count as a friend anyways?? lol). 

I live in Fort Lauderdale, so the pricing in my area at local cake shoppes (and even many of the established home cake businesses) is likely higher than a lot of other areas. So with that in mind, what would you charge for this cake example attached? This is a sample of what the client would like the 6" inch top tier to look like, but in fondant, not in buttercream. And a few more cascading flowers. The bottom tier will be an 8 inch round, covered in solid pink fondant with a ribbon at the base. They will be tall tiers, so I'm estimating 28-30 servings. (I typically take about 2 servings off of each cake size, from Wilton's chart. I think there's is a little high and Earlene's is a little low for tall cakes).

She would like the quote to be based on doing two different cake flavors (like alternating layers). She also requested a cake tasting of 4 flavors which I will provide as mini, undecorated, cakes. And lastly, I will be delivering this cake (I include delivery in my pricing). 

For premium filling (custards and fruits), I am quoting $210 for the cake plus $20 for the cake tasting samples = $230 

If she decides on doing buttercream filling, I am quoting $200 for the cake plus $20 for the cake tasting samples = $220 

What do you think? 

Also, in general what is your price range for Buttercream cakes vs. Fondant Cakes?  I'm thinking of offering my prices at $3-$5 for buttercream designs, and $5-$8 for fondant designs (with elaborating wedding designs being at that higher level - not something I typically do anyways). As I mentioned, I include delivery, so I just rolled that into my increased pricing. 

That pricing model would put this cake at approximately $7-$7.50 per serving.

(If I was to quote my delivery price separately at for $15 for example, it would be 6.50-$7 per serving). 

Sorry for being wordy... I just want to make sure you had all the details. Hoping that I'm not swinging too far in the opposite direction now, and getting into the "overcharging" realm. 

Thank you in advance!

you can get 39 servings -- it doesn't matter how tall the cake is if it is one tier -- it's the footprint that determines servings not height -- you get about the same amount of servings for a 4" tall cake as you do a 6" tall one -- because if you cut a 5" or 6" tall cake less than an inch wide it will likely bend and break --

delivery should be a separate line item -- there's a difference between a 10 mile and a 20 mile delivery -- one should cost twice as much for twice as much time/distance --

at $200 you are getting about $5 a serving -- i think it should be at least $6-$7 per because you are using 25% to 50% more materials for the taller cakes that do not increase your servings -- probably more than that if you are in a pricier area

horizontal strips are not easy -- depending on how you make them -- the bottom cake is gonna need more than a skinny little ribbon to balance out the evenly decorated top tier i think -- but all your current customers are going to scatter when you raise your prices -- you need to cultivate a whole new pack --

best to you

I tend to agree w/K8 on this....it doesn't matter how tall the cake {well to a degree LOL} so you will not get more servings out of it.   Also remember that most plates used to serve dessert won't hold a 6" tall cake w/o 'slop-over' :(  Don't short-change your self.....get your prices up.  As K8 said, you most likely will have to grow a whole new customer base.

I'm curious about the tasting part.  I get the impression that this is a birthday cake.  Since you're charging for tasting samples it's kind of a moot point, but since when do people get the idea they can have a tasting for a birthday cake?  Just wondering.