Write clear booking terms covering curfews and overtime

Overruns, late-night extensions and cancellations cause many DJ disputes. Clear terms settle them in advance. Writing your own rules in plain words, and getting the client’s agreement before you take the deposit, means both sides know where they stand.

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Steps

1. Decide your rules: deposit, balance due date, cancellation by the client, what happens if you are ill (and your real backup arrangements), overtime rate, setup space and power, venue curfew and limiter, equipment damage, unsafe conditions.
2. Check your public liability insurance is in place and note the cover, as venues may ask for it.
3. Example (made up, for illustration only): a wedding DJ’s terms say the balance is due 14 days before the event, overtime is charged per half hour only if agreed on the night, and if the DJ is ill a named DJ from a partner network covers with the same equipment list.
4. Run the prompt below with only your own rules.
5. Read the result against the CMA guidance linked below, and ask a solicitor or your trade association if you are unsure about any term.
6. Send the terms with the booking form, and get the client’s agreement before you take the deposit.

The exact prompt

Write booking terms for a mobile DJ. Under 400 words, clear headings.
Use ONLY these rules: [deposit, balance due, cancellation by client, cancellation by me (illness/emergency and replacement DJ), overtime rate, setup space and power needs, venue curfew and limiter (I'm not responsible for venue cut-offs), damage to equipment, unsafe conditions].
Plain English, fair, not aggressive. Do not add any fee, rule or legal wording that is not in my list.