Yet another question on charges..

Sorry if this has been done before (I am shocking at searching)

But I was just curious as to weather you charge more or less for birthday parties or private functions or events or ppf events etc or do you keep them about the same...??

Like I charge $80 for a birthday (an hour to an hour and a half) and $200 for the first 2 hours of an event and then $60 an hour after that (usually end up just charging the $60 an hour to smaller businesses) and then individual face paintings I charge #30 per half hour. PPF, I usually base $5 per 5 minutes.

Just wondering if thatt sounds about right, or do I need to re-adjust proportions? How do you do it?

I just have one set hourly rate, no matter where I'm working. It makes it easier for me and I always know what the deposit will be. (If I feel like it, I do charge less for non-profits.)

Does it get confusing having different rates for different events? No two people have to price the same way. So you can just go with whatever floats your boat. Sorry, it's late and I sound like an idiot.

I charge more for events because I have to work faster/more kids/more stress... Birthday parties are generally more relaxed.

I have a straight hourly rate.

For Birthday parties I offer a "package" of two-hours for the price of 1 1/2 BUT it is limited to 15 kids.

I also have a half-day and full-day rate.

I keep it simple, one price for all. My prices go up w/ my different packages(face painting/balloon twisting, glitter tattoos/face painting, etc).

My birthday party is a set rate $100 (for up to 12 kids) with extra charges of $5 each for extra kids. It usually takes 1 - 1.5 hours. I based the price on what people will pay to use a party facility and have it set as a per party rather than per hour so the parent can budget exactly and have the cash ready for me. I also charge mileage if I have to drive more than 5 miles and the parent knows that fee ahead of time. I agree with Suzy that birthday parties are more relaxed than festivals so they are easier for me. I also want families to be able to afford me. My festival and business rates are higher with discounts after the second hour.

My hourly rates for just face painting and/or balloons are always the same.... I charge more for birthday parties though because I do a clown show on top of the face painting and balloons... if I'm jumping around and exhausting myself (and the kids) for half the time I'm there, it costs more.

Cool, thanks for your answers guys I think my hourly rate roughly works out to be $60-$80 so I am happy with that I guess.

Birthday parties are more relaxed? I can't wait to find out.
I have a Corp. Christmas Party to price, any help please or suggestions?
Martina gave me her suggestions and I would like a couple of others.
They are asking for 4 references, no problem, ingredient list, I should be able to get it off the website, right? They are providing a meal for both of us, my dd and I, we do it together. It is about 1 1/2 hr. away, no problem. It's just do I charge $100. per hour for the first couple of hours and then 1/2 that for the following hours?
Thanks for any advice given.