Extra Fees: Travel & Late Finishes
1. Travel Costs Outside Your Local Area
Most DJs have a "base" (e.g., Norwich, Ipswich, or Peterborough) and include travel within a specific radius—usually 25 to 30 miles—in their standard package.1
The 50p Rule: For venues outside that radius, it is industry standard to charge roughly 45p to 60p per mile. This covers fuel, vehicle wear, and the extra time the DJ spends on the road.2
Relocation Fees: If a DJ is travelling from North Norfolk to South Cambridgeshire (a 2-hour journey), they may charge a flat travel fee (e.g., £50–£100) instead of a per-mile rate to account for the half-day of travel time.
Accommodation: If the event finish is very late and the drive home is over 2 hours, a professional DJ may include the cost of a modest local hotel in the quote for safety reasons.
2. Late Finish & Overtime Fees
Standard evening sets usually run from 7:00 PM until Midnight.3 If your party goes into the early hours, expect the following:
After Midnight Rate: Most professional DJs charge an "Overtime Fee" for every hour (or part-hour) after midnight.4 This typically ranges from £80 to £150 per hour.
Why the extra cost? It isn't just the extra hour of music; it also pushes the "load-out" and travel time into the very early morning (3:00 AM or 4:00 AM), which impacts the DJ's ability to work the following day.
Venue Licensing: Always check your venue's music license first! Many venues in rural Norfolk or Suffolk have strict 12:00 AM "noise shut-off" times due to local council regulations.
Summary of Potential Add-ons
| Item | Typical Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage | 50p per mile | Usually kicks in after the first 25–30 miles. |
| Overtime | £100 per hour | Standard for any time played after 12:00 AM. |
| Early Setup | £50 – £150 | If you need gear set up before 5:00 PM (to avoid disruption). |
| All-Day Hosting | £200 – £400 | Adding microphones for speeches and background music for the meal. |
Pro Tip: If you know your event will finish at 1:00 AM, mention this at the time of booking. It is almost always cheaper to agree on a "1:00 AM Finish Package" upfront than to ask for an extra hour on the night itself.
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