I recently purchased a cafe which does a small amount of catering on the side. Looking through the previous owners paperwork, I saw that she sometimes charged clients for "service handling" and "rental handling." Can someone please explain what these are and if they are standard in the industry.

Thank you in advance.

By Sam (Sam) on Friday, August 30, 2002 - 12:21 am: Edit

I believe he/she was passing on to the client the charges for either rental china, ect &/or a handling fee to unpack, rinse & repack & possibly to pick up/return rental items...hope this helps...sam sears, cec

By Mbw (Mbw) on Friday, August 30, 2002 - 04:36 am: Edit

Yes it is standard to charge for setup, delivery, and cleaning. I charge anywhere from $40 to $250 depending. The rental company also charges for stairs and so do I.

My favorite rental company charges $150 for a one hour delivery window, otherwise you get it onsite the day before, and they get it the day after. If these are little caterings rental delivery is NOT an option and you a sent running all over town for a linen, table and half rack of wine glasses. Do this a few times with a full schedule, and you will have no problem charging it too.

OK OK I am a bit long winded. So in short.

Yeah what Sam said.

By Mags (Mags) on Friday, August 30, 2002 - 08:39 am: Edit

Thank you - you have both answered my question!mags

By Catergreat (Catergreat) on Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 09:31 am: Edit

how much do you charge for stairs and when do you start charging MBW?

how does the client respond usually?

By Sam (Sam) on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 12:09 am: Edit

I personally try to get two additional manhrs (per staff member needed) of delivery fee for up/down stairs....the client can always call the rental companies & they charge much more...sam

By Mbw (Mbw) on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 09:04 pm: Edit

$50 per flight

This is in addition to hourly labor, so when it starts doesn't matter. The client usually says "oh" and sounds bummed, but they do understand. The money is sometimes used to tip out the staff if we feel the clients gratuity needs enhancing.

Not all parties with stairs require extra $$$. Walking up one flight into a flat with a few trays, and a chafer hardly counts as EXTRA work. Hauling up tables, chairs, and linen too is. And that is when I charge. I may also waive a fee if I am not incurring additional expense, and it makes the client happy.

I once took a job in a private residence right under Coit Tower here in San Francisco. It was on the third floor of a condo, each floor having two little flights of stairs(6 sections total). Almost a spiral come to think of it. Oh, and no elevator of course. The host had a rooftop view of the bay, the GG bridge, Alcatraz, and you could clearly see downtown over his free weight set. Yeah HE was in good shape at 60 something.

When the guests first arrived they all asked for water, and had to rest berfore starting in on the wine, and cheese board. I thought he had under-ordered food and wine, but HE knew what he was doing. LOL

After that I began to ask if there were stairs, loading dock, elevator, etc. Can we bring a hand truck in? Forklift? Scissor lift? <--kidding