Copperhead
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The costs I was seeing on the caterer's site are why I think we'll end up doing the work ourselves (for a fee), or they will go out. If we do the work ourselves, we'll handle it like brekkie...we'll clear the tables, they can hang around as long as they want, but we'll clean the kitchen before we go to bed. I can set them up with coffee so we can leave them to their evening.I will give you some ideas of rates later but first:
Have a contract with everything included and detailed out to the very last detail. There are many ways to do this, and it is trial and error until you find which way works best for YOU. If THEY are working directly with the caterer, make sure that YOU are included in that planning. This is YOUR business as it is YOUR home. If the caterer is going to bring everything and do clean-up, then YOU should charge a fee for use... This can be tricky as you are the one that can be 'left with the dirt' if the caterer does not do an adequate job cleaning. So you must have a cleaning deposit built in to your contract with the guest. If the rented space is clean (as you detail) their cleaning deposit is returned. You must also make it clear regarding set up. Many caterers and/or guests think they are free to move things around as they like.
We have found it easier on us to do our own set up. We discuss the arragement layouts in advance and they can choose from those only...no other movement PERIOD. (I had one photographer try taking down my hanging firns for the reunion shots...NO, you don't like them, rearrange your layout NOT my place. GRRR)
I do not know how Country Girl does it with her caterer, but ours (we have several to use, but stick mainly to one) has different price structure depending on who it is arranged with etc. If the caterer has quoted them a price, it may not (most likely does not) have a fee for the use put into that amount. This is something you should discuss with the caterer prior to recommending them to your guests.
I charge $150 for the first hour, $100 for each additional hour, with a 3 our min. This includes OUR set up/break down, if you allow the caterer or guest to do that, you may want to lower the hourly rate, but add time (limit it though) for them to do this and have a MUST be finished by.... Linens @$5e and dinnerware @ $7 place setting are additional. (remember that caterer will have use of your stove and entire kitchen, this charge includes this use)
NOTE: IF we hire wait staff they charge $20 per hour + gratuity..
I seriously do not see any caterer wanting to do a full, plated dinner out of my kitchen. Which is why I think they'll have a buffet that they bring in already cooked.
I guess I'm more worried about the caterer damaging the kitchen because they're expecting a commercial-grade kitchen with big stove and ovens and fridge and they're going to get a dinky kitchen with apartment-size appliances!
I set up for brekkie in the morning, so, hopefully, they will not make a mess later on. I told them we would arrange the tables family-style so they could get everyone in.
This is why I told Gomez no discounts. The guests will be up all night with their celebration and we'll be cleaning up after it for awhile. He already told her there's a discount for booking the whole house.
Of course, the other part of this IS having a slow weekend completely booked.
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Do not leave it to chance that they will 'not make a mess later on' Believe me....HAVE a cut off time! If you end up doing the catering yourself as well as serving, you will be dead on your feet by evenings end and your feet will still be throbbing by the time the alarm blasts its terrible noise. If you left them to fend for themselves, there is no telling what mess your kitchen will be in. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT and stupid enough to do it again. I finally learned and do not bend...have a cut off time so YOU have time to have things in place to the next morning. Make it clear in BOLD in the contract. If they leave a mess after that time, they do not get their cleaning deposit back.Morticia said:The costs I was seeing on the caterer's site are why I think we'll end up doing the work ourselves (for a fee), or they will go out. If we do the work ourselves, we'll handle it like brekkie...we'll clear the tables, they can hang around as long as they want, but we'll clean the kitchen before we go to bed. I can set them up with coffee so we can leave them to their evening.
I seriously do not see any caterer wanting to do a full, plated dinner out of my kitchen. Which is why I think they'll have a buffet that they bring in already cooked.
I guess I'm more worried about the caterer damaging the kitchen because they're expecting a commercial-grade kitchen with big stove and ovens and fridge and they're going to get a dinky kitchen with apartment-size appliances!
I set up for brekkie in the morning, so, hopefully, they will not make a mess later on. I told them we would arrange the tables family-style so they could get everyone in.
This is why I told Gomez no discounts. The guests will be up all night with their celebration and we'll be cleaning up after it for awhile. He already told her there's a discount for booking the whole house.
Of course, the other part of this IS having a slow weekend completely booked.
I remember you having trouble keeping individual guests out of your kitchen, just think what a whole group would be like.
Since Gomez already spoke with them about a discount, make sure your usage fee makes up for that. I give a discount for whole house bookings also but do charge a use fee if they plan any get-togethers on my property. Parties are extra, because they are extra work! When we have all room bookings they are done under contract with one person responsible and are made aware of extra fees for extra services. Some people think when they book all the rooms they get FULL use of your HOUSE like they get with a vacation rental, this thought needs to be axed on the very first discussion so they know where the line is drawn.