hope this is in the correct section,can any one give me a ballpark firgure per hour for balloon modelling ,,,i know it varies,,,thanks tony

Hi Tony,

This is a really difficult question to answer as there are so many variables. Price will depend upon the demand in the market for YOU over and above your competitors, the area where you work, your method of working and your business expenses.

My advice is charge what you feel offers value for the services you provide, an amount that you would pay to hire yourself or someone similar and research your local market to see what the average rate is.

Do not undercut other artists as your short term gain will result in long term misery.

Experiment and test the market.

I've seen artists charge crazy hourly rates of £20 upto £150 and above for corporate gigs.

This doesn't give you the answer you are looking for but if you tell us more about what you do and where you work this would help.

Good luck

the problem is that no-one gives an answer,,,,,     so us newbies dont know if we are undercutting


lets give some scenios

shopping centre
restuarant
county show

just basic balloon modelling        in northamptonshire


thanks tony

So if I was to call you tonight and say I wanted to hire you for two hours of walkabout balloon modelling how much would you be happy with??

i think in a way thats my origonal question,

It also depends on if you are just making balloons or making balloons and entertaining at the same time, always difficult but if I was out all day I would be looking for between £250/£325.

As Graham says so many factors... I charge £245 for two hours upto 30mins drive from my house regardless of what service you choose (balloons/magic shows/puppets etc), additional 30mins at £45. An all day event for corporate is £750. I am not saying you should charge this but I am back to part time entertaining so I can pick and choose the highest paid gigs and not have to worry about paying the mortgage.

I prefer not to do school fetes, outside public events on very hot days or people's back gardens. See I told you I was picky!

Hi Tony

Just to stick my tuppenceworth in - nobody gives an answer because no-one can, which is in essence what nippy was saying.  I'll happily tell you that I generally charge £50 per hour, but what does that mean to you?  As you (probably) don't know my skillset, what I offer, my market, location demographic, overheads etc, does that mean that you should charge that?

Let me ask a question of you - I want to sell my car, how much should I sell it for?  

There's simply no way you can answer that question as it stands.  You'd need to know a lot more info before you could give me some help, guidance or opinion...  I don't mean this to be snotty or rude, but it's just trying to demonstrate how it's too abstract a question to answer.

However, if I was in your shoes, I'd probably gauge how much people in your area are charging by simply calling them and asking.  By that I mean, either you or someone you know calls them up and asks 'How much would you charge per hour for a kids party on a Saturday afternoon at Arcacia Avenue'?  If anyone wants to know more or confirm a booking, just tell them you've nothing confirmed yet and you are just getting an idea of prices.

Hope this helps

--Neil

you will find by asking that there is no such thing as an hourly rate sorry!!

Most entertainers have different prices for 1 & 2 hour party times to 3-6 hour day rates for mix & mingle events.. and usually work for a smaller rate again for agency work..

The rate for parties is usually higher than the day hourly rate

There are others that just do balloon modelling that will get permission to stand outside a local shop/supermarket and charge per balloon sold and make a donation to the stores charity it is supporting, sometimes they charge you for the pitch.. It helps getting known locally, by which you can handout cards etc and helps you get experience in models and the time it takes to do them 'live'..

If we discuss the rates we charge, we then hear - well I am not as experienced as you so can not charge the same or I am making/its just  'basic' (that word grates on me sorry!!) models so I will charge less... sounds good intent but at the end of the day whatever way you put it, charging less is undercutting... After all we have found over time on this forum one persons basic is another persons advanced!!

As said - do your homework on your local area, phone around ask questions, go to a care and share day and meet others locally, find out what the market price is and charge it.. If you think you are worth more charge more..

If we all spoke of a set rate and charged the same it would be called a 'cartel' which is illegal in the UK

Pam
xx

Its variable and i agree with everyones comments, its hard to price but if theres one thing i can say is when you set the price DONT go lowering it, the price you say is the price you are worth (balloons,travel,training, tax/ins,admin, fees, practice) so be realistic, stick to your guns and dont undercharge to make a quick buck.

thanks everybody for the replies,the reason for asking was to make sure i wasnt cutting other artists up,,,,,,,

as suggested local homework is needed

I barely do birthday parties, but corporate work, like being hired by supermarket or a restaurant do happen more often.

I usually charge £270 for 4 hours of ballooning if it close to my place. If I have to travel I do charge more.

I found out that most of the events I had, were actually not longer than 4 hours. I wouldn't like to more than that, as it is quite tiring to entertain and twist balloons for public, even though I enjoy it.

hope it helps.

And one more thing, for two hours I charge £160. I don't do shorter events. It's not worth it.