Why Our Prices Aren’t “Made Up”: Understanding Margin-Based Pricing at Stratum

At Stratum, we’re often asked, “How do you come up with your pricing?”

It’s a fair question — and one we welcome. Because the truth is, our prices aren’t random, inflated, or “just a number.” They’re rooted in a clear structure built to sustain our work, support our team, and serve our clients well.

Here’s what that means:

We Price Based on Margin — Not Just Dollar Amounts

When we quote a project, we’re not pulling a number out of thin air. Every price is tied to actual hard costs: labor, equipment, rentals, transportation, logistics, scenic, technology, and more. We layer our margin on top of those costs — not because we’re trying to maximize every dollar, but because that margin is what keeps our business alive, our team growing, and our client experience high.

It’s what allows us to:

• Pay our people well

• Invest in new equipment

• Train for excellence

• Show up with backup plans

• Deliver production that works flawlessly every time

  
  

When We Discount, It Comes Out of Our Margin

A lot of people think discounts just come from some mysterious budget bucket. But the truth is, every time we discount a line item or a total project, that cut comes directly out of our margin.

That means:

• We’re absorbing the cost

• We’re reducing our capacity to invest in future events

• We’re, potentially, compromising the excellence we strive to deliver

  
  

That’s why we approach discounts carefully — not to be difficult, but because we believe in long-term partnership and mutual sustainability.

We Fight for Margin That Makes Sense

In some cases, we do get creative. We might find another vendor. Adjust the scope. Optimize logistics. We always fight for value. But we do it in a way that protects your experience and protects the people who make that experience happen.

Because at the end of the day, margin is what allows us to lead, not just survive.

When You Hire Stratum, You're Hiring a Partner — Not a Price Tag

We don’t sell equipment. We sell peace of mind, technical precision, and the freedom to focus on your message, not your gear.

Our pricing reflects that. And we're proud to be transparent about it.

If you ever have a question about how your project is built or why something costs what it does — ask us. We’re happy to walk you through it.

Because in the end, how we price is just as important as what we produce.