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Content and Design Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved
I tried doing a per kilometre rate but in all honesty, it was too much paperwork!
Since most of my clients are in rural/small town areas (longer distances-less traffic), I’ve found that the flat rate fee works best for me. It also allows my clients to easily work out my fee. The clients that live further away are booking me for more hours per appointment because I charge $X per trip.
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Thanks for sharing that, Jacki! It sounds like our experiences have been quite similar in that way.
Read Janet Barclay’s post: Should I Charge for Travel Time and Expenses
I also find that mileage is unpredictable, because very often in the outlying areas beyond me, a 30 mile trip might take one across mountains or through 30 mph zones or stick one behind a tractor driving more slowly than I could walk.
For the cities within about a thirty mile radius, I charge no fee. Beyond that, I charge a per-hour travel charge–in one direction. (The way I see it, the clients are paying to get me to come to them; clients don’t care if I actually get home…or move in a block away.) I always GoogleMap the directions, anyway, so if a client doubted the distance, I’d have it printed out, but there’s never been a problem.
In the olden days, I was willing to drive up to 90 minutes to a client; then it was 75 minutes, then 60. Nowadays, I very rarely am willing to drive more than an hour to a client. There’s about a 90 minute span between the center of my service radius and that of my colleagues in other cities, so this works out quite well.
Julie, I’ve never heard of charging for travel time there but not back, but it makes a lot of sense. If you don’t mind me asking, is your rate for travel the same or less than your rate for organizing?
Read Janet Barclay’s post: Should I Charge for Travel Time and Expenses
pls let me know how much will i charge my client per miles in driving her for her errands. thanks
Jimmy, you should check with your local tax office to find out the going rate in your area. You’ll want to be sure that you’re adequately compensated for wear and tear on your vehicle, gas, and other expenses such as car insurance, in addition to your time. Speaking of insurance, make sure that you have business coverage, especially if you’re using your car to drive clients to errands.
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