# How much should you charge vendors?

Price booths from your costs: add up the venue, permits, rentals, insurance, marketing and staff, divide by the booths you expect to sell, and add your profit. Then check vendors can make it back: a booth only works if a typical vendor sells enough to cover it with room to spare.

_Updated 2026-10-10._

## Start with your costs.

1. List every cost: venue, permits, insurance, rentals, security, marketing, staff.
2. Estimate booths you'll actually sell, not just booths available.
3. Divide costs by booths sold for your break-even fee.
4. Add the profit you want, divided by the same number.

## Not every booth is the same.

- Food vendors usually pay more: more space, power and sales.
- Corner and larger booths can be priced higher.
- Returning vendors or early applicants can get a discount.

## Can vendors make money?

If a vendor's average sale is small, a high booth fee means they need many sales just to break even. Vendors talk; markets where vendors do well fill faster next time.

## Questions

**Should I charge vendors a percentage of sales instead?**

Some markets do, but it needs trust and tracking. A flat booth fee is simpler for both sides.

## Related

- [Booth fee calculator](https://bzar.app/tools/booth-fee-calculator)
- [Vendor break-even calculator](https://bzar.app/tools/vendor-break-even-calculator)