Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A
I did it! First paid cake complete! Now to price it!!!
So my first paid job was a Co worker who wanted a cake resembling an infinity box (her daughter watches a show with one). It was to look like wood, and we determined fondant looked like the medium that would be best. It was a challenge as I’d never made/used it before!!
The cake is a vanilla bean 9×13 layer with vanilla buttercream filling and crumb coating, and fondant made with cream and vanilla bean as well. All of course homemade 🙂
The cake and buttercream -eeasy peasy! The fondant was actually easy to make, and tasted good too.
Time issue came with fondant coloring and placement. It was quite difficult to get it to have the appearance of wood on a piece large enough to cover the cake. I mixed in 4 different shades, twisting for a marbled wood grain effect I also made a lock, hinges and lid stop out if fondant. Overall, I’d say the fondant process alone was over 5 hours. I also believe I put too much icing under the fondant as it is kind of squishy under, not tight which I assumed it would be. On top of this, I had a minor tear on one corner, and a wrinkle on another.
So, long story short she didn’t want cost before hand as she honestly didn’t really care , just wanted this specific cake and was happy if give it a go. I did spend quite a bit of time, with baking, making the icing, fondant and decorating, however the cake definitely has some flaws. I have no clue what to charge her! My ingredient costs were 32$, and and overall time spent would likely be more than reasonable to charge for. I’m learning and growing my business, so the time spent learning is great for me, even if not chargeable.
I would upload a picture but don’t see how to do so, maybe I’ll put one on the Facebook page.
Any thoughts on how to figure out a price on this one?
So my first paid job was a Co worker who wanted a cake resembling an infinity box (her daughter watches a show with one). It was to look like wood, and we determined fondant looked like the medium that would be best. It was a challenge as I’d never made/used it before!!
The cake is a vanilla bean 9×13 layer with vanilla buttercream filling and crumb coating, and fondant made with cream and vanilla bean as well. All of course homemade 🙂
The cake and buttercream -eeasy peasy! The fondant was actually easy to make, and tasted good too.
Time issue came with fondant coloring and placement. It was quite difficult to get it to have the appearance of wood on a piece large enough to cover the cake. I mixed in 4 different shades, twisting for a marbled wood grain effect I also made a lock, hinges and lid stop out if fondant. Overall, I’d say the fondant process alone was over 5 hours. I also believe I put too much icing under the fondant as it is kind of squishy under, not tight which I assumed it would be. On top of this, I had a minor tear on one corner, and a wrinkle on another.
So, long story short she didn’t want cost before hand as she honestly didn’t really care , just wanted this specific cake and was happy if give it a go. I did spend quite a bit of time, with baking, making the icing, fondant and decorating, however the cake definitely has some flaws. I have no clue what to charge her! My ingredient costs were 32$, and and overall time spent would likely be more than reasonable to charge for. I’m learning and growing my business, so the time spent learning is great for me, even if not chargeable.
I would upload a picture but don’t see how to do so, maybe I’ll put one on the Facebook page.
Any thoughts on how to figure out a price on this one?
Hello ShellsBells
David’s blog here might help with your pricing:
http://www.cakeflix.com/blog/confidence-in-pricing-cakes
other links within links which may be of value here:
What you charge reflects your own skills. Take a look also at what your competitors are charging for similar cakes in your location. With a first cake your price may not reflect the time spent on your creation, that unfortunately is all part of the learning process. However, if your work is good be fair to yourself and to your customer when pricing this particular cake in terms of time taken.
You can share your pictures on Paul’s facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/PaulBradfordSugarcraftSchool
or you can also join up and post on Paul’s google+ community here:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/113685793493558145390
Finally, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! x YAAY!!
