I just wanted to know if people charge more money for more equipment?? like a couple of extra lights, bigger sound system??
Or do you just quote a price then if you can fit in all your show great if you have to take less,even better !!
I have seen in the past people say its ...so much for system 1 but if you want extra lights or a smoke machine you have to pay more !!

Myself i quote a price for the full show then go to look and the venue (on every occasion if i have never worked there b4) then let the client know what i will be taking along to the function.

I give all of my clients the choice of Lightshow when they book. They can either choose between Subtle, Standard, or Hi-Tech Lighting, at no extra charge. Not everybody is into high powered lighting, it irritates older audiences, and so the more control over tailoring the function to their own requirements that you give to them - the more power to your business. If they click "Standard", I just take what I believe would be right for the function, age group, and venue. From My experience, it is almost a straight 50/50 split between "Subtle" and "Standard".

I no longer use strobes at all, and rarely use foggers, since most of the venues tend to have Smoke Detectors installed or in the case of most Council Run Establishments in this area - have a complete ban on the use of foggers.

I use a Snow Machine at all kids parties, with a high degree of success - in fact I could turn off the music and as long as the "Snow" fell the majority of them would be happy. The price of this is generally factored in for these bookings. Snow Machine use is a £10 extra chargeable effect at all other functions. As you can imagine it is rarely requested at general Adult based functions. I don't use a bubble machine at all - personally they are dangerous to you and your PLI - no matter how careful you are.

Most of my fees are standard - unless I have to travel Far, it goes on beyond 12 Midnight, or it is an exceptionally large room requiring a P.A and Lighting to match.

.... hmm cant see justification if you are just going to put up 3/4 extra lights... or upgrade your amp from a 600w to 1000w...... dont really take much time to do does it! But, as crispy said, if you have to travel further afield or work after midnight then extra charges should occur. Mind you, when you say a bigger rig... if it takes you double the amount of time to set up because you are putting in soooo much more stuff and need a roadie/extra roadie... thats fine.... Some djs I know reckon they are doing a bigger show by putting in 4 twister 4s instead of 2!!

Just another point with regard to sound system. As a Professional D.J you should have a sound system that can cope with the venues you intend to cover - you are providing a Disco after all!. It goes without saying that your clients shouldn't have to pay extra to hear clear music - thats why they are booking you in the first place and should all be part of the standard package.


Certainly, charge more if you have to hire a 5KW sound system to cover the odd unusally large venue - but for all other functions you should have a good quality level of P.A included within your standard fee.

Charging a price in relation to what you take to a gig is something Ive never done. I suppose most of my gigs are at the same venue so I know that I'd never have to hire in more PA than i already own. I tend to use a relatively standard price for all of my gigs unless they request an early finish then we just come to some arrangement that keeps us all happy!

I agree with Chris's point re some lighting may not be suitable for certain occasions and I also never use strobes. I use a combination of flood fill and intelligent lighting but would never think about letting this choice effect what price I go out at.

Before this gets into a long debate... have a look on the pricing thread that appeared some time ago.

as everyone has said
if its far from where i live
i have a standard price

Simple, if it is more work than usual then it costs more,