Don’t Make These 5 Balloon Décor Pricing Mistakes

Pricing your balloon décor can feel like a balancing act. Get it wrong, and you might undercut your business or alienate potential clients. To help you avoid some common pricing pitfalls, here are five mistakes balloon decorators should steer clear of when determining their prices.

1. Giving a Quote Without Calculating Supply Costs and Availability

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is providing a quote without fully understanding your supply costs and availability. You must know how much the materials cost before you can set an accurate price. Is your balloon distributor out of stock? Are there any alternative options? These things can affect the cost of your job and could even change your entire quote. Always make sure you’ve checked your supplies and availability before giving any pricing to clients.

2. Charging Too Little

It’s tempting to charge less than the competition to win clients, but charging too little can hurt your business in the long run. Underpricing your work means you’re undervaluing your time and skills. Remember, pricing should reflect the effort and quality of your work. While starting low might seem like a good way to attract customers, it can quickly lead to burnout and hurt your bottom line. Just like you wouldn’t pay a new hairstylist the same rate as an experienced master stylist, you shouldn't undervalue your own services. Work your way up as you gain experience and a solid client base.

3. Charging Too Much

On the flip side, charging too much can also be a problem. While you should be confident in your pricing, pricing yourself too high—especially when you’re new—can turn potential clients away. Increased pay comes with time, experience, and a track record of delivering quality work. Build your portfolio, develop your skills, and as your reputation grows, you can begin charging higher rates. Clients are willing to pay for quality, but you’ve got to prove you can deliver first.

4. Charging for Entire Bags of Balloons

This is a pet peeve of mine—and one of the most common pricing mistakes I see new balloon decorators make. Charging for an entire bag of balloons when you’re only using a handful is simply unfair to your clients. Imagine buying a slice of pizza and being charged for an entire pizza. Or a baker charging you for a whole 10-pound bag of flour when they’ve only used a few cups. That’s just not how business works! As a balloon decorator, part of being in business is managing your inventory wisely. While you might not make back the full cost of every balloon bag on a single job, you’ll eventually recoup it over time. Factor in the cost of supplies over time and don’t charge for what you didn’t use.

5. Complicating Your Pricing

Keep your pricing simple. Adding too many line items or hidden fees can overwhelm your clients and cause them to question your charges. Instead of adding fees for every little thing (like fuel charges, extra time, etc.), build them into your item cost. For example, charge for the décor and then a separate fee for delivery, setup, and teardown. Keep it clean and transparent—clients appreciate knowing exactly what they’re paying for.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Undercharge for Things You Hate Making

This one might be a bit controversial, but if you really dislike making certain balloon designs, don't be afraid to charge more for them. I personally loathe making balloon mosaics. They drain me! While some competitors might charge $175 for a mosaic, I charge $250 because it’s simply not worth my time and energy at a lower rate. However, if you love a certain type of design, then you can charge less because you enjoy making it. The key is knowing your limits and pricing accordingly.

Charge What You’re Worth and Get Clients

Don’t forget to also consider those little things that are easy money-makers. I have a simple “birthday display” that costs me very little to make, but the perceived value is high. People love them because they’re personalized, and they make great gifts! Even though I could probably charge $60 for these displays, I sell them for $35-$45 because it’s a reasonable price for most families. These displays only take me about 20 minutes to put together, but I can sell several each week and continue to grow my client base. Not every job needs to be a $500 arch or elaborate installation. Small, simple pieces can help you build a steady flow of business, and some of those clients might return with larger budgets down the road!

Final Thoughts

Pricing is one of the most critical aspects of running a balloon décor business. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can set yourself up for long-term success. Remember to keep your pricing fair, know the true cost of supplies, and value your time and expertise. Keep things simple, be transparent, and most importantly, don’t undersell yourself. The more confident you are in your pricing, the more clients will appreciate the value you bring to the table!