Hiring out cake stands and knives

Interesting quesion Ellie. Im a hobby baker, but id like to find out more about this topic, so I’ll follow.

Hi Ellie I hire out cake stands when there isn’t one available or when I have something that works better. I usually charge £30 and take a deposit. Haven’t hired out knives yet.

Hi Alpa. Do you hire them to hire out, or do you have a little collection yourself x

I am new here

Hi Ilovecakes22. Welcome to CD. x

I have a little collection. If I needed anything else I would have to hire it from my local cake supplier. Slowly building up a collection myself, cake stands are expensive. Well the ones I always like are!! ;)

I have a couple of stands I’ve hired out before. I charge £50 and £15 for knives but they get that back on the proviso that they return them back in good condition. At least if they are damaged I’ve got some towards replacements.

Hi, I’ve been asked about stands and knives by some friends – I have supplied stands for most of my cakes, I charge the cost of the stand as security deposit and as yet I haven’t charged anything for rental (couldn’t do it for friends close enough to ask for a cake!). When I start taking orders from the general public, hopefully within a matter of weeks now, I’d probably do the same plus a rental fee dependent on the stand. £30 ish for a stand costing less than £100 sounds good with the customer returning it, significantly more I expect for a hanging frame or crystal drop stand due to size, cost and myself collecting it from the venue xx

Thats a good point Sawsen, I hadn’t thought of having to collect it. Especially as the bride and groom may of gone on honeymoon. No I wouldn’t charge friends or family either x

Also be careful and make sure the venue are aware that it is your cake stand and they need to put it aside for collection otherwise it will walk! Worth leaving a box with packaging too for any that are glass or ceramic. Leave a business card with the box and if possible stick one to the underside of the stand just in case. Staff change shifts during weddings and communication of things like this sometimes gets lost.
I think you have to charge rental, you have taken the time to find the right cake stand, you have to store them, transport them, collect them and this is all time and space. Its all part of the service and those that want a great looking cake won’t bat an eyelid its the ones that are cutting corners and wanting something amazing for nothing that might question it. Most of my customers have been more than happy to and often ask before I mention it.