At what point do YOU start charging....?

[unsilpauly]

I always charge for setup time.... If the drummer wants to set his kit up in the drum room the night before, that's fine, I'd prefer that... No charge there. But when I start putting up mics, adjusting this & that, tuning them, etc, that, for me is when I work hardest. Of course I'm gonna charge for that. Then again, I've been known to spend 8 hours on setting up & tweaking drums...

+2

i have a day and hour rate depending on how the band wants to do it. some bands prefer an hourly rate, some like day rates. my day rate is for eight hours and after that it kicks into hourly. if they book time at 9:00am then the day rate starts at 9:00am. if a band has any kind of question about it i just tell them they wouldnt want to go to work and not be paid and then they get it, and its totally true. if its not my music or im not in the band then i am working. this also works for friends who like the fact i have a studio. it keeps the playing field level and i work hard because i know i owe it to the band and i dont feel cheated. it works out great.

 

[Gnash]

There is nothing worse than sitting in front of a screen with some band's songs up, all the gear running hot and no one shows up! No call, nothin! After waiting an hour, then calling the band, you feel like a jackass in high heels for letting people get the best of you. IT PAYS TO WRITE A CONTRACT! It motivates people before they decide to flake out on you. The studio and the band should have an agreement of what is being charged UP FRONT. There should be no discrepencies on WHEN the meter is running. I'm , 99.9% of the time, ready to work when the artist walks in at the PREAPPOINTED start time, so the artist can concentrate on tracking rather than watching me hook up shit. GET MONEY UP FRONT!

 

[greyskull]

+2

i have a day and hour rate depending on how the band wants to do it. some bands prefer an hourly rate, some like day rates. my day rate is for eight hours and after that it kicks into hourly. if they book time at 9:00am then the day rate starts at 9:00am. if a band has any kind of question about it i just tell them they wouldnt want to go to work and not be paid and then they get it, and its totally true. if its not my music or im not in the band then i am working. this also works for friends who like the fact i have a studio. it keeps the playing field level and i work hard because i know i owe it to the band and i dont feel cheated. it works out great.

i have a day rate, and an overtime rate:
its high to discourage such behaviour.