For those who bake cakes- How much would you charge for this?

Question

So I’m trying to get my name out there as someone who bakes cakes. I love baking, it’s mostly just for fun but I’d like to also make a little money while doing it. A girl posted an ad looking for someone to make her daughters cake smash cake for a photo shoot. It was a simple maybe 6” 3-4 layer cake with giant rosettes in purple on it. Very easy to do. I have all the materials I’d just be spending money on ingredients plus my time. So I quoted her $25. Now, I am not a professional. I do everything at home. So I didn’t feel the need to charge any more than that, I’m also just looking to build my portfolio as well and gain experience. So she private messaged me and then says she wants this cake; but the pink to be a darker pink. This cake is way different than the pic she had originally posted with the ad.

So, now I know this cake will take longer for me to make, I will also be using more cake since I have to go out and buy a giant cup cake cake pan ($35) where I am. No big deal considering I can use that cake pan over and over, but she also wants those little white flowers as well. I don’t have a problem taking a hit on this one, I know I’m going to be spending more on it than I will be making on it. But for future reference how do I price my cakes and even explain why the cake is going to be more than the other? I’m not going to ask for more than $25 since I had already told her that amount and honestly don’t want to loose the cake order. So for those who are crafters and bakers how do you charge? Do you do materials plus x amount per hour of your time?

Answer

Honestly since this cake is going to cost you more to make than what’s she’s paying I would charge her more. She has to understand that there’s a big difference between the cake she posted and the one she showed you. You should be able to come to a compromise without losing her business. Some people like taking advantage.

Answer

I always paid $150-200, sometimes more for custom cakes, made at home from a girl.
She does the cakes at home, but they are really really good and $150-200 isn’t bad to me. i had her to my gender reveal and babyshower.

Answer

You need to take a Business 101 basics class online. Trust me .... It’s worth the $30-50 for an online course. You will make far more than that from what it will teach you

Answer

Im not a pro baker, but I know a well made/decorated cake takes time. I do freelance graphic design and I charge hourly. Your most valuable resource is your time, so you don’t want to sell yourself short. I would charge $25/h. And If I was to bake a cake for profit I would charge time spent not only on decorating, but also prepping, filling piping bags, tinting buttercream, etc. google says it can take like 4 hours to make and decorate a cake so that’s minimum $100.

Answer

Everytime I order a custom cake that is more than sheets with writing I paid a minimum of $100. I would probably pay $150 for this cake.

Answer

Just tell her the $25 was what you quoted for the original picture she asked about, if she wants this one tell her whatever you feel is fair. You'll at least want to break even, if building your portfolio is what is more important.

Answer

Don't undervalue your time. As far as materials goes, my mom does this. For the cake materials that will be consumed, she charges full cost of materials. For things she can reuse and keep such as piping tips or cake pans etc. That she has to purchase for the job, she charges half of their normal cost for time and materials. That way both parties win.

Answer

75$ is what i usually pay for its for about 50-60 people and its arpund that size

For those who bake cakes- How much would you charge for this?

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