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Understand the Event Before You Quote
Gather the details that change your price, like event type, date, location, guests, hours, setup, and menu, before you send a quote.
A quote sent too early is a guess. A quote built on the right details is one you can stand behind. Before you price an event, make sure you understand it.
Start with what you already know
Before you ask a single question, reread everything the client has already given you. Depending on how they reached you, that might be:
- They contacted you from your profile: what they wrote in the contact form, including the Package or Experience they requested, in your email and your account messages
- FindBartenders sent you the event: the event details in the email and in Manage Leads
- They contacted you directly: your notes from the phone call, or whatever they wrote in your own website's contact form
- Their host profile, if they have a FindBartenders Event Host account. Host profiles are private, but bartenders a host contacts can view them
Clients get frustrated answering the same question twice. Start your reply by confirming what they told you, then ask only for what's missing.
What you still need to learn before you quote
Confirm these before you quote. Ask only what's missing. As you go, you'll also find out whether the event is a fit: your date, your area, your services, your minimum.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Event type | A wedding, corporate event, or backyard party can call for different service and staffing |
| Date and start time | Availability, and whether it falls in a busy season |
| Location and venue | Travel, parking, load-in, and whether the venue has a bar |
| Guest count | Staffing levels, supplies, and setup |
| Hours of service | Labor, and whether setup and breakdown time is included |
| Who supplies the alcohol | Whether you're pricing service only or also drinks |
| Bar setup | Whether you bring a bar, equipment, glassware, ice, and mixers |
| Menu complexity | Beer and wine, a signature cocktail, or a full craft cocktail menu |
| Client expectations | Their budget range, style, and what a great event looks like to them |
"Just browsing" or an event many months out may mean a client is early in planning. A short, helpful answer now still makes a good first impression.
Make your profile answer questions before they're asked
Your listing details can show clients your pricing and logistics up front. Fill in the ones that fit your business:
Hourly Rate and Minimum Per Event
Optional. If left blank, they don't appear on your profile.
Travel Fees
State how you charge for distance, overnight stays, and parking.
Equipment and Setup Provided
Check what you bring, from shakers and glassware to a mobile bar and custom menus.
Licensed and Insured
Share your insurance and license details. If left blank, it doesn't appear.
Check your Travel Fees field. It may contain example text, such as "Within 20 Miles: No extra charge." If it doesn't match your real policy, replace it before clients see it.