When you fill in a booking request, you'll see an **Estimated Cost** above the button — your hours multiplied by the DJ's average hourly rate.

## What it excludes

The form says so directly: the estimate is based on the DJ's average hourly rate and *excludes extras, taxes, fees, etc.*

So it leaves out:

- **Travel** — often a meaningful amount for a venue outside their usual area
- **Extras** — lighting, MC services, a photobooth, early arrival
- **Tax**, where it applies
- **Any additional items** the DJ adds for your specific event

## Why the real price can differ

**Average rate is an average.** A DJ's profile rate is typical, not fixed. Peak dates, long load-ins, and demanding formats can all move it.

**Your hours may be wrong.** If you entered the whole event rather than the DJ's playing time, the estimate is high. If you forgot they'll need to cover dinner music, it's low.

**Extras add up.** Uplighting and a photobooth can be a substantial share of the total.

## What it's actually useful for

A sanity check. If the estimate is wildly outside your budget before extras and travel, that DJ probably isn't your DJ, and you've saved everyone a round trip.

It's also useful across several DJs, since it's calculated the same way each time. Not the final price, but a fair like-for-like starting point.

## The real number

Comes on the proposal, itemised: **DJ Performance**, **Travel & Logistics**, any **Additional Items**, each **Extra** priced separately, tax if it applies, then **Total Due**. See [Reading Your Proposal](/hc/clients/articles/1786047502-reviewing-a-dj-s-proposal-and-custom-documents).

That's the figure that matters. Nothing you're shown before it is binding on either side.

## If the proposal is well above the estimate

Ask. There's usually a straightforward reason — a long drive, several extras, a date in December. A DJ who can't explain their own breakdown is telling you something.

You can also ask for a reduced-scope proposal: fewer hours, or fewer extras. Often more productive than asking for a discount.

## Nothing is charged

Sending a request costs nothing, and neither does receiving a proposal. Money only enters after you accept.