Need opinions on what to charge for services?

["hi"]

Last year right before summer I placed an ad in Craigslist for $h!t$ n giggles to see if anybody would reply. I basically stated that I would smoke/BBQ anything for your party type of ad in the barter section. Someone replied and they paid me to smoke about 6 slabs of some BB's and come to thier house and BBQ some other stuff, everything went great and the party was a success. On the 4th of July, the same guy contacted me for some more BB's, but this time I just smoked them and he came and picked them up.


So the same guy emails me the other day asking if I still offer my services, I said of course and continued to ask if I could some BB's for 75 people and come to his house to BBQ them and also some other stuff they like.



SO, how many slabs do you feel would be enough? How much would you charge this person for the services??

Basically I would be smoking the BB's at home, putting them in a ice chest (wrapped in foil) transporting them to his house, throwing them on thier BBQ, apply BBQ sauce and BBQ some pork sish-ka-bobs (They're Phillipino) So I would probably be at thier house for about 3-4 hours and then go on my merry way. I already have an idea, but would like to hear your guys' opinion?

 

[pyre]

I've read that a lot of caterers will just double their cost for the final price.

75 people, I would estimate 1/2 slab each, then round up to 40 slabs of ribs.

 

[geob]

Sounds like fun. Seems to me like libility would be an issue. You know how it is, even if everything goes off like clockwork. Their is always someone not pleased. Maybe I just watch to much L&O.

geob

 

[fatback joe]

Triple ain't unheard of.

 

[fatback joe]

How much did you charge him before?

My best guess would be that he would assume the price to be similiar.

 

[lcruzen]

In the restaurant world the rule of thumb is to triple your raw costs. Since you don't need to finance a lot of overhead you could probably double your costs and turn a nice profit. I'd also be a little worried about liability. I'm guessing your not licensed by the local heath department or insured for catering and should someone get sick or choke on a bone it could be very costly with fines or worst yet, a law suit. You know how some people are these days unfortunately. In some states a caterer can prepare the foods in the clients home kitchen legally but liability is still a concern.

Not trying to rain on your parade but it is good to be aware of potential problems before they arise. Good luck in your endeavors!

 

["hi"]

I appreciate the input and am fully aware of the "what if's", but last time I believe I charged him about $15 a slab and on top of that I charged him $60 for my pocket. This round I was thinking the same thing, $15 a slab, around here....I can get some nice BB's anywhere from $10-$15 per slab. Now I'am in NO way a pro but just enjoy what I do, so I told him I would charge him $100 for my services.

Now, because they are gonna have other foods to eat, I suggested 10 slabs of BB's


So

10 slabs @ $15 each = $150
Charge for my services = $100
----------------------------------
$250 Total



does that sound decent?

Im not trying to rip anybody off. And for the record, at the last party there was a half pig that was roasted.

 

[domn8_ion]

I'd say 1/2 slab sounds right. But maybe instead of 40 slabs, maybe go 50 just to make sure everyone gets full. It will leave leftovers for a second go for anyone hungary later. I've done a jig for a family friend last summer and made $1 per pork steak. Plus they covered the cost of supplies of course.

 

[pyre]

That's not many ribs. Less than 2 ribs per person.

You're also not figuring anything for your spices, charcoal (or wood), foil, sprays, mops, plastic wrap, etc.

But your charge is very generous. You'd have to be doing it for fun!

 

["hi"]

Really, but the next thing is, I have a Char-griller "DUO" and my grill space is not the biggest.....so I think I would have to do like 3-4 smoking rounds. I believe i could get 5 slabs done at one time.


Have any of you stacked the BB's to fit more in the smoker??

 

[fatback joe]

Get rib racks.

 

["hi"]

I was looking at those when I bought the DUO and knew I would eventually get some, but I think I would only be able to fit 2 rib racks and each rack only holds like 3-4 slabs each right?

 

[domn8_ion]

Maybe try some rib racks to help with space. They're not too expensive and can be found most places you find grills.

 

[fatback joe]

The racks I have hold 6 slabs........not sure what is the "norm".

 

["hi"]

Have any of you guys ever stacked slabs on top of each other?

 

[goat]

A rack of ribs will feed 2 people. 3X all your food cost, plus mileage. I feed a lot of people from time to time and you can never charge enough. I will be feeding 200 + this weekend, brisket and goat.

 

["hi"]

So if somebody asked you to smoke 10 slabs, and show up at thier place to BBQ them and some sish-ka-bobs, what would you charge them.

And yes, they will be getting a half of an adult pig roasted, w/ the sish ka bobs.

 

[jlansink]

HI: I have the DUO as well. I would think you'll have to remove the warming rack inside the chamber. If you haven't already, it's quite easy.

 

[daddio]

i usually atleast double my raw cost as others have said,and if this is something your gonna keep doing on top of liability insurance,might take your profiets and invest in a bigger smoker sounds like to me.

 

[fatback joe]

If you are doing a 3-2-1 or something along those line you can stack for the 2 portion and get away with it, but otherwise, stacking wouldn't be recommended.