How much is a Mobile DJ?

What is the typical Mobile DJ price – You could also ask how long is a piece of string…

Mobile DJ price differs based on area, the DJs experience and what you are looking for from your DJ. Using Mobile DJ Finder, you will find DJs across the UK at just about every price level.

Things that also make the price fluctuate can include:

The level of experience they bring to your event, maybe 5 years or 30

How experienced at your type of event they are

Performance time

Quality or amount of equipment (this is relevant to sound levels and lighting impact/ WOW factor)  

Travel Time and costs if they are a long way from your venue

If you need them to set up earlier in the day, as opposed to turning up early evening and then playing

Extras they may offer, like Uplighting, Confetti Canon, Dry Ice etc.

If there are stairs the equipment needs to be carried up

Parking, congestion charge/ low emission zone fees, tolls etc.

So what’s the answer?

Let’s answer this question by giving some guidance on a Mobile DJ price with over 5 years experience. they have reasonable quality equipment capable of sound and lighting for around 100 people, a good catalogue of music and straightforward venue access which is within a reasonable travelling distance. It’s a Saturday night outside of the busy Christmas and New Years Eve season and they can set up and play from 7pm until midnight

You should expect to pay on average between £250 and £550 here on Mobile DJ Finder (or anywhere else)

Where the Mobile DJ has over 10 years experience (and this DOES make a big difference), it would be between £350 and £650 as an average

That’s more than I expected/ budgeted for

Ok, but what made you think a Mobile DJ price would be cheaper and how did you arrive at that budget?

Did you have a budget or an idea of what a Plumber or Electrician would charge for a particular job? How about when you last had a problem with your car diagnosed?  Probably not, but in the same way as Plumbers, Electricians and Mechanics have a lot of experience, the right tools for the job and are in high demand, Mobile DJs charge a professional fee for a professional job.

One way of saving money is that many Mobile DJs offer extras like Uplighting, Dancefloors and Photobooths etc. Booking these via your Mobile DJ can normally save money as they will create a package for you. Booking these things separately means you will probably pay full price for everything

Now you are armed with all the information about what to look for and how much it’s likely to cost. So hit the Mobile DJ Finder button below to find your perfect Mobile DJ, and we hope you have the most amazing party!

Is a Mobile DJ suitable for my Wedding?

Maybe, maybe not… While Mobile DJ Finder has plenty of great DJs, Wedding DJs tend to be those at the top of the profession. They usually have the most experience and smartest presentation of both themselves, their equipment and performance. To find a great Wedding DJ, try our sister website WEDDING DJ NETWORK

Mobile DJ Finder helps you find a Mobile DJ to suit you and your party. Here are some questions to think about and maybe ask any DJ you make an enquiry with

Will I get a contract?
Of all questions you might ask, this is probably the most important!

The DJ you choose could be amazing, but if he’s not contracted to you and doesn’t turn up, his amazing talents might be enjoyed somewhere else that night

Insist on a contract, that states the DJs full name, event date, times, venue, any special requests like set up arrangements, the DJs requirement in terms of power or access in case you need to make special arrangements. Make sure it states who your DJ is and that the person you speak to is the person who is DJing for you, not a casual friend of his third cousin’s father in law (unless this is what you’ve arranged).

This should all be in the contract, along with any deposit required, when full payment is due and what the cancellation and compensation details are.

If your DJ refuses to issue a contract, even though he may be happy to take a deposit, look for a different DJ!!

How much music do you have?
Your Mobile DJ should have something over 8000 songs, this should give enough scope to fill the dancefloor with a wide variety of music for the various age groups, but also satisfy requests on the night.
What music do you have?
If you have international guests, or you like styles which are perhaps not general commercial chart, you will need to ask about this. Your Mobile DJ should fill you with confidence that not only do they carry these styles, but are happy to use them to fill your dancefloor. Many professional Discos will carry at least a small amount of just about every style you might need, right across the various era’s of music, including many nationalities such as French, Serbian, German, Latin, Scottish, Irish, African, Israeli and much more. Perhaps just as important, is the fact that they will be happy to play it!
What music will you play?
If you have chosen the styles and any particular songs, these should be your Mobile DJs priority. Around this brief your Mobile DJ will guage the audience, and using their experience, will choose songs that will get people on the floor. This is hopefully the kind of response you’re looking for when chatting with a prospective DJ
Can I choose songs for you to avoid playing?
Either giving them a list, or using an online music request system you can select songs for your Mobile DJ not to play, and they should discuss general styles you like and dont like so the evening goes the way you want it to
Can I choose the music?
If you want to choose every song for them to play, and even the order, they should advise against it, but be happy to accomodate your wishes.
When booking a professional Disco, they ought to know better than you what will fill the dancefloor, that’s what you’re paying for! However they should be equally keen to incorporate your favourite songs and styles. They should offer advice, but be open to your suggestions.
Many Discos offer a free online music database where you can choose as many songs as you like (bear in mind around 19 songs per hour is the most they can play!). You also get a further login for your guests, so they can choose 2 songs each, and of course your DJ should be happy to take requests on the night
Do you have 'clean' versions of songs?
Your Disco should have a large amount of ‘radio edit’ and cleaned versions of songs, so if you need them to make sure they plays these instead of the originals, just let them know and they should be happy to accomodate your wishes.
Can I bring an iPod?
Check with your Disco before the day, in case you want to play your own background music perhaps, or if you have some special music you need included which they doesn’t have.  Please bear in mind that playing music to the public from an iPod or similar is breaking copyright law, so your DJ is within their rights not to play it. As with everything, discuss this before the event
How big are your speakers?
Unless you are in the business, most brand names will be meaningless, you may have heard of JBL and JAMO, but do you know which is far better than the other? (it’s JBL by the way). There are Music Power Watts and RMS Watts, only RMS gives the true indication of actual volume achieved. SPL is a more accurate way to define sound levels, but let’s not bore with that!
Size often isn’t a good indicator of quality (how many times have you heard that!) If you are booking for an 18th birthday, then high volume may be something you are looking for, but if it’s a Wedding, then more discreet speakers would perhaps be more appropriate. Your Disco should help guide you through which systems they have, and which they recommend, you may not understand half of what they says, but you should get a feeling that they know what they’re talking about. Your DJ should point out that it will be loud enough to encourage dancing, but they will monitor the volume so that those guests who would rather talk than dance, get to enjoy their evening as well
What if your system breaks down?
You need to kn ow that in case on any equipment breakdown, the show can go on. Your DJ should reassure you that they carry extra equipment with them, both sound and lighting, so in the unlikely event of a problem, it can be up and running again very quickly
What if you get ill?
You need assurance that if they get ill, you will still have a Disco. Most DJ will know other Discos who may be able to cover your gig at short notice. Have a chat with your DJ, they should reassure you how they would cope in this emergency
How long does it take to set up?
For a party where there is a break while dining tables are maybe moved, to allow a reset of the room for the evening, this might be important. Or perhaps where you’ve hired a hall from let’s say 7, but of course the party can’t start until the Disco is set up

For a normal amount of equipment with reasonable access to the room/ marquee, allow an hour. Should you book extra’s such as uplighting, this takes longer but your Disco would discuss this so you are fully aware.

How long does it take to break down?
For a normal amount of equipment it’s usually around 45 minutes. You may need to bear this in mind when planning your timings, in case the venue insists both guests AND equipment are out of the venue by a certain time.
What will you wear?
For a Wedding, most professional Discos would normally wear black tie (dinner suit) or at least smart shirt, jacket and trousers as we think you and your guests have made an effort, therefore so should we. However if you would prefer him in casual, fancy dress, very loud Hawaiian shirt, then just let him know ! He should be flexible to your requests, as with all other arrangements
Will you get drunk?
“Absolutely not !” should be the answer, hopefully followed up with “I don’t drink alcohol while working”. You wouldn’t expect a plumber to be sipping a Bud while sorting your central heating, or a doctor with a hip flask. The waiters & bar staff are unlikely to be drinking, so why should your Disco?
My venue has asked for PLI (Public Liability Insurance)
Many venues now ask for this in case of claims by guests following an accident. Your Mobile DJ should have cover, but do check the level in case it’s below that required for the venue. Some ask for £2million, some for £10 million just in case of any accidents with their equipment or set up. Your Mobile DJ should be happy to email either you or your venue with the policy. 99% of the Mobile DJs on our database have £10m PLI already in place as part of their Membership
My venue has asked for PAT
This is Portable Appliance Testing, all electrical equipment taken into a venue should be annually tested by a qualified Electrician, with each item having a sticker as well as having a test certificate. Some venues will insist on seeing this, either before the event, or on the day. Your Disco should be happy to email either you or your venue with the Certificate
Can you set up earlier?
You may wish to have everything set up early, perhaps before a Wedding Breakfast or conference, although it’s not always appropriate. In a marquee this is the preferred option as guests will rarely go somewhere else after the Wedding Breakfast, so bringing a lot of equipment through your crowd of guests is not really what you want. If however you have chosen a beautiful venue with nice architecture, do you really want 21st century equipment in your photo’s… probably not.
It’s something you should discuss, your DJ should be flexible to your arrangements, although if this increases the time for your booking, they may increase their price to compensate