How much?!
I thought it might be useful for me to write something about DJ pricing and how much I charge...
I’ve often been told by customers that they didn’t have a clue how much they would have to pay for a DJ, and prices do seem to vary dramatically. Many things can affect the price that you'll be quoted for any service, but clearly, some suppliers will quote more than others for the same enquiry.
I would strongly recommend that you don't even consider booking anyone who is quoting you considerably less than the average, no matter how tight your budget. A DJ can only be in one place at once, so that person is obviously not getting much repeat business, or work from recommendations. Perhaps their equipment is not the best? Or they themselves are unreliable, or not the nicest people to deal with? Or maybe because they are just starting out; we all had to start somewhere, but I think most DJs learn something every time they play - I certainly do! - and so the experience gained over years of regular work has got to improve a DJ's performance at your occasion.
Remember that at many functions, the cost of the DJ is a pretty small part of the overall outlay. The average cost of a UK wedding is now around £25,000. The majority of professional DJs charge a fraction of that amount for their services, and yet they have a pivotal role in the success of the evening. They should be capable of managing a dancefloor, playing different genres of music to suit their audience. They will have excellent sound and lighting equipment, and they will be easy for you to deal with, and for your venue to work with, both beforehand and on the day. They can charge more than rank-and-file DJs because they are in demand due to recommendations / testimonials, and are not being chosen solely on price.
So, you get what you pay for? To an extent, yes - but not always, in my opinion, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, different DJs cater for different markets, and some who usually play in larger rooms or at more specialist gigs may have much more equipment than is required for a fantastic sound and lighting experience in a typical function room. But they have to pay for it, and probably for storage and for a larger vehicle to cart it all around as well; this will be reflected in their quote even if three-quarters of their equipment stays in their storage or van during your occasion. I also reckon that some DJs who quote the highest rates - I know of some charging thousands per night! - do so based on what they think certain customers might be prepared to pay. They can get away with doing so because for a big occasion, there is a tendency for those customers to think “I’m only doing this once” and turn a blind eye to the cost.
It probably won’t surprise you to hear that I consider myself to be a professional-level DJ, but I want to offer great value for money, too. I'm also very honest about my strengths, and I've no problem with suggesting to people that they look elsewhere if I think another DJ would do a better job for them. I'm sometimes asked if I charge more for playing at a wedding than for other events - the honest answer is no, but every occasion is different. The approximate hours required for preparation beforehand, the time and cost of travelling, loading in and setting up all make a difference, as well as playing at the occasion itself.
So please contact me to tell me about what you’re planning and where, and I'll give you a fixed cost in writing before you agree to anything. My current charges start at £275, and the vast majority of quotes are under £400.
If you’d like any further advice with no obligation, please get in touch.