How Much to Charge for a Balloon Garland
Balloon garlands are priced per foot — typically $15–$30 per linear foot for a standard organic garland, and $30–$50 for complex builds with specialty balloons, greenery, or custom color matching. A common floor is 3 to 4 times material cost, with delivery, install labor, and strike charged separately rather than absorbed into the per-foot rate.
Per-foot pricing
| Build type | Typical per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Standard organic garland | $15–$30 |
| Complex / specialty balloons, greenery | $30–$50 |
A 10-foot standard garland is a $150–$300 job before install — which is exactly why install and strike can’t be free.
The 3–4x rule
Charge three to four times your material cost on installed work. The balloons are the cheapest part of what you’re selling; the build hours, the drive, and the ladder time are the actual product.
Charge these separately
- Delivery — by distance, not averaged.
- Install labor — hourly or per install.
- Strike / takedown — a second trip, priced as one.
- Rush fees — for anything inside your normal lead time.
Helium is a moving cost
Helium prices swing, and a quote you gave three months ago was priced on old numbers. Either double-check the price before a big job comes up, or build some buffer into your per-foot rate for anything booked way out.
Related: balloon decor invoice template and balloon decor business invoicing app.
Frequently asked questions
What multiple of material cost should I charge?
Three to four times materials is the working floor for installed work. That covers your build time, the drive, the install, and the strike — a 2x multiple looks profitable on paper and isn't once you count the hours.
Should strike be a separate charge?
Yes. Returning the next morning to tear down is a second trip with its own drive time. Pricing it separately lets a venue that handles takedown itself skip the charge instead of arguing about the total.
How do I price an arch or specialty piece?
Price it as its own item, not as garland footage. Arches need frames, more structure, and more build time, so per-foot math undercharges them badly.