What should the quote include?
List portions, courses, shopping, dietary requests and kitchen arrangements. Ask whether cleanup and food storage are included.
Which charges need a closer look?
Check groceries, containers, extra guests, serving staff and travel. Ask how menu changes affect the bill.
Have the provider mark each item as included, optional or charged separately. An item left blank is a question to resolve, not something to count as free.
Before you decide
Request a complete sample menu and total. Compare the same number of meals or guests, and confirm who buys the food before interpreting a low cooking fee as the full price.
Compare the total you would pay
Put the offers side by side using the same work, dates and quantities. Add required extras and applicable taxes to each starting price. Keep optional upgrades separate so you can choose them deliberately.
- For an hourly price: ask about minimum time, the expected hours and approval before the bill grows.
- For a package: ask about its limits, expiry and the price of work outside it.
- For a deposit: confirm whether it counts toward the total, when the balance is due and what happens if you cancel.
Keep the agreed price and work list together. If the plan changes, ask for the revised total before agreeing to the extra work.
The rewrite date records an editorial update, not a verification of local prices. How we research fees.