Billing for travel time

Vera · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:29 am Post subject: Billing for travel time

Hi everyone,

If you travel outside of your area, do you charge travel time by the hour? by mileage? And what's the going rate out there?

thanks,
Vera

KathyFakesIt · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:31 am Post subject:

Hey Vera,

i don't charge per hour or per mile or anything like that. I just add a little to my project price to account for the time and gas. I do not break it out on the invoice nor do I tell them I'm charging extra.

I just quote a price for the job and they can take it or leave it.

mystic · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 40 Location: mystic, CT

If driving more than say half an hour (less than that is built in to my rates) I charge by the hour. When subbing.....its by hour or milage depending on the contract. If flying cross country we charge a day rate for travel there and back and collect a daily per diem. In the US. of A. there are standard rates for miles and per diem that are the norm for contractors.

Vera · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

I had a brainstorm and checked with my accountant. She said that the CRA standard is 52 cents per kilometre, so that's a place to start.

Pat · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject:

I don't charge for travel time for an appointment but definately keep it in mind when doing the job. I just add in what I think I need into my bid. I figure why confuse the custmoer as I want to keep the process as simple and painless as possible for them.

Vera · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

Let me elaborate a little bit.
I was contacted by a design center regarding putting up wallpaper. Apparently they are not happy with the person that has been doing it, and want to find someone they can have a long term relationship with. They do a lot of show homes etc. They have a job coming up soon that is a couple of hours from me. For those of you that know the area, it's on the way to Whistler. He said I could either charge for travel time or mileage, whichever I "usually" do, (which I've never had the opportunity to do!)
If I get the chance to meet with him, I want to be as professional as possible, and since he's already offered,....I will take him up on the option of billing for travel. I'm hoping that this goes through, as I don't have any work booked. I had an appointment for tomorrow, but they cancelled due to the tanking markets, and they are scared to spend any money.
Anyway, I've only had a brief conversation with this man, but I get the feeling he really needs someone and I want to do what I can to get the work.
I hope that explains things abit better, and I appreciate all your responses.

thanks,
Vera

KathyFakesIt · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

So are we talking Squamish?

In this case, definately charge for your travel time. Those rich Whistler people are quite used to paying for travel time.

If you think it's more than a one-day job, charge them for a hotel room and food instead of travel. Better for both of you and the environment. But still, add a little something for gas.

I like your idea of just using the CRA number for mileage because if you say something like "$100 an hour for travel time" they might balk at that, but if you were to simply add $200 to your bill it's easier to swallow.

Good luck on getting the contract.

Vera · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks Kathy, I'll keep that in mind. This would be in Furry Creek, so yes, almost Squamish. I hope I get it too. I was supposed to meet with a client today, but they cancelled due to the declining markets,...so it's starting to affect me here.
Hope all is well with you.

Vera

KathyFakesIt · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 3:59 pm Post subject:

Ahhhh, gorgeous area.

Just so you guys know what we're talking about, here's a couple of pictures of the Furry Creek Golf Course.

arlene · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 7769

that is breathtaking..is a good way- not the Sienfeld way Very Happy

man I am cheeky today

chuckhorn · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 821 Location: Carmel, Indiana

I've been to Squamish. It's a neat little town...or it used to be 20 years ago.

We chased a train there one time. Filming a bunch people having fun.

There used to be a steam engine that would wind its way from Vancouver to the village. We raced in front of them, and film the train "coming around the bend," race ahead again filming it following the coast line, and then show the smiling faces shopping in the village.

We then hopped on a bus to see a waterfall, then took a party boat (big enough for 150+ people) back to Vancouver for a salmon dinner.

Funny, I can remember things like that, but when I look up a phone number I will forget it before dialing...and have to look it up again.

Vera · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Chuck,

The train was the Royal Hudson. Great Steam Engine. I lived in Squamish from 1977 to 1979. The falls you went to was probably Shannon Falls. It used to freeze over in the winter and you could watch climbers scale up the ice. Very cool to watch!
You wouldn't even recognize the area now. With the Olympics coming up the road from Squamish to Whistler has taken a major overhaul. The little town of Squamish has changed alot too. The only major problem still is the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Squamish. They still have rockslides now and then, and the curves are deadly. Still breathtakingly beautiful though, as Arlene said.

take care,
Vera

chuckhorn · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 821 Location: Carmel, Indiana

Yeah, the Royal Hudson. Now I remember. Probably have that old footage around here somewhere.

Yeah, I bet 20 years has really changed the landscape...and a bunch more people, too.

That was a fun road to drive...especially since we were racing ahead, stopping, setting up, shooting the train passing, and then racing ahead of it again and again. Ah, to be young again.....