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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How much to pay a friend to make a Birthday cake??

157 replies

Pipercloe · 12/10/2024 20:54

My friends son, who is 16 bakes lovely cakes.

I asked if he would mind baking one for DH birthday.

He is excited to make the cake, but I have no idea how much I should pay for this, I have no clue how much even the ingredients would cost for a cake. I’m on a bit of a budget currently, so don’t want to pay lots but also don’t want to under pay.

What is a reasonable price? 😬

OP posts:
Dancingqueen2023 · 13/10/2024 06:31

Hi, I'm a hobby cake person and I usually ask for cost of ingredients. For me it's an easy way to build skills etc that I probably wouldn't have time to practice at home. On average I'd say people would pay me an extra thirty plus a bottle of something

DreamW3aver · 13/10/2024 06:36

Gollumm · 12/10/2024 23:53

Unless he's registered with his local council to allow him to sell food from his home then it's a moot point. He can legally only charge you for cost of ingredients.

Are there actual l real life people who wouldn't give a kid wanting to practice baking something on top of the ingredients because he's not registered with the council?

I hope I never meet one

NormaLouiseBates · 13/10/2024 07:46

TheShellBeach · 12/10/2024 21:52

Sit down with him and ask him how much the ingredients will cost.

Then ask him how many hours he will spend making the cake and icing and decorating it.

Then pay him fairly.

I can't imagine a shop charging less than £300 for a three tier cake.

I think you're the only person on here who has said the right kind of amount for a 3 tier cake.

Trixiefirecracker · 15/10/2024 16:56

NormaLouiseBates · 13/10/2024 07:46

I think you're the only person on here who has said the right kind of amount for a 3 tier cake.

Show quote history

He’s not a professional though and therefore shouldn’t t charge as such.

Singleandproud · 15/10/2024 17:01

It's also a 3 layer cake, not 3 tier. OP corrected herself in a later post.

Daschund1 · 15/10/2024 17:04

Pipercloe · 12/10/2024 21:03

I think he is planning on a 3 tier cake, with lots of chocolate accessories and some fondant accessories.
I cant imagine the ingredients would cost that much, but I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️
It won’t be a huge sized caked, it’s just for us not a party of people.
I asked mostly because I was trying to boost his interest in baking, I’m really not that bothered by a cake, I would happy buying a supermarket one.

You'd be surprised. I only make as gifts now (I was a pastry chef for many years), but a three tier would minimally cost £50 to make. I recently did five tiers with fresh flowers for a niece's wedding, very simple cakes covered in a white chocolate ganache and it cost almost £150 to make.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 15/10/2024 17:04

Pipercloe · 12/10/2024 21:07

Okay so he’s going to tell me the price of the ingredients, but says he doesn’t want any extra. But of course I will pay extra.
but how much extra do I pay for his time?

Double the price of the ingredients

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