How much does a magician cost in the UK?

I'm often asked this before anything else, and fair enough. Nobody wants to fall for an idea and then find it's miles out of budget. So here's an honest look at what magicians generally charge in the UK, and why prices vary so much.

One thing first. These are typical market ranges, not my own prices. Every booking depends on the date, how long you need and how far the magician has to travel, so the only way to get an exact figure is to ask.

Typical prices for a close-up magician

For a close-up (or walkabout) magician performing for around two hours, you'll typically see prices somewhere between £495 and £1,200 in the UK. That's for an experienced, professional performer at a party, corporate event or something similar.

You'll find people cheaper than that, and some a fair bit more expensive. Very cheap usually means someone newer, or doing it as a hobby alongside a day job. At the top end you're often paying for the busiest dates in the calendar or a well known name.

What wedding magicians typically cost

Wedding magicians typically charge somewhere around £495 to £1,200. Weddings sit higher for a few reasons. Most are on Saturdays between May and September, which is when everyone wants the same performers. The day is longer, often with the magician covering the drinks reception and the wedding breakfast. And there's more planning beforehand, with timings to fit around photos, speeches and the venue.

Again, it depends on the date, the length and the travel. A Friday in March and a Saturday in July can be quite different prices from the same performer.

What pushes the price up or down

These are the main things that change a quote:

• The date. A Saturday in June costs more than a Tuesday in February, and December fills up fast with Christmas parties.
• Length. Two hours is the usual starting point. Extra time costs more, though not usually double.
• Travel. Someone coming from the other end of the country will need to cover their travel time and maybe a hotel.
• Type of show. A stage or cabaret spot takes more preparation, and sometimes sound and lighting, than close-up magic.
• Experience and demand. Performers who are busier tend to book up early and charge accordingly.

What you should get for the money

A professional fee covers a lot more than the two hours your guests see. There's the planning chats, the travel, arriving early to meet the venue, and years of practice behind every trick. I started when I was six. I'm still practising.

As a minimum, I'd expect a professional magician to have public liability insurance, a clear booking agreement in writing, and plenty of genuine reviews. Membership of The Magic Circle is a good sign too. I joined its Youth Initiative at ten and became a member at 18.

How to make your budget go further

A few ways to get more for your money:

• Pick a weekday or a Sunday if you've got flexibility.
• Think about how many guests you have. A smaller party may only need an hour or so, which can bring the cost down.
• Choose the slot that matters most. For most weddings that's the drinks reception, where guests most need an icebreaker.
• Ask about travel up front, so there are no surprises later.
• Book early. Popular dates go, and you'll have more choice.

Watch out for

A price that seems too good to be true usually comes with something missing. No insurance, no contract, no video of real events. Ask to see the performer working at an actual party or wedding, not just a polished promo, and read reviews on Google rather than only the hand picked quotes on someone's website.

Here's the sort of thing to look for in a review. Jessica Pancham, who booked me through Fine Entertainments, wrote: "The booking process was also very easy and everyone at Fine Entertainments Ltd was flexible and there were no problems from the start to end." That tells you as much as any comment about the tricks. You can read more on my reviews page.

Comparing quotes fairly

If you've got a few quotes in, make sure you're comparing like for like. One magician's two hours might include travel and a chat beforehand. Another's might not. Ask each of them:

• How long they'll actually be performing, not just on site
• Whether travel is included in the price
• Whether they can split the time, say an hour at the drinks and an hour between courses
• What deposit they need and when the balance is due
• What happens if your timings change on the day

Is it worth paying more?

Sometimes. The difference between an average magician and a good one isn't really the tricks, it's how they handle people. Whether they can read a table, know when to leave, and get the shy guest involved without making them squirm. That's what you're paying for at the higher end, and it's what guests remember.

For corporate bookings there's a bit more to weigh up, like fitting a tight running order and working with a mixed room. My corporate entertainment page covers how that works.

Getting an exact quote

Because it all comes down to the date, the length and the travel, the quickest route is to send the details. Fill in the enquiry form with your date, venue and rough timings and you'll get a proper quote back. If it's for a wedding, the wedding magician page explains how I fit around the day.

Questions

How much does a close-up magician cost in the UK?

Typically £495 to £1,200 for around two hours, though it always depends on the date, the length of the booking and travel.

How much is a wedding magician?

Wedding magicians typically charge around £495 to £1,200. Summer Saturdays are the busiest and tend to sit at the higher end. It depends on date, length and travel.

Why do magicians' prices vary so much?

Experience, demand, the date, how long you need them and how far they're travelling all make a difference. A popular Saturday in June will cost more than a weekday in winter.