Charge for Equipment Move?

So you're saying you charge people more just because they're close to you?

After all, if you build travel expense into the rate, and you charge the same rate to all, I'd think those nearest to you who are most likely to hire you on the most regular basis...are the ones you're screwing the most.

Set seperate rates, people get pissed "That SOB only charge Joe $xx when he charged me $yy!"

I'm in the camp...one hourly rate for the work, surcharge for travel time as necessary.

"That SOB only charge Joe $xx when he charged me $yy!"

Same people who'll get mad that you charge travel time. Same people who'll drive out at lunch and complain what's taking so long while your under the hog cutting that ball of barbwire out they didn't tell you about. There's no pleasing some people, and I'd rather not deal with them.

Seems my competition is primarily rental equipment, which isn't much competition after the first go round. I don't get complaints. Trying to bill for mileage is a rat's nest, attracting complaints. Better to be up front about needing to get enough for the day, or not go.

The equipment dealers have found my billing highly amusing. What they're thinking is that a couple more bucks/hr would buy much larger machines. That's got nothing to do with anything. The deal is between the customer and me. I get happy repeat customers and I'm well-paid. That's what it's all about.

Around here it is done this way..... ..... ...
We have a set distance we will go with no mileage charge. Lets say 10 miles. (yours may be different as to where you are to most of your work) Any thing over 10 miles we charge XX per mile. You need to give a little on this so you would just eat a few miles. Say it was 12 miles. Its better to say you charge for over 10 miles but then say I will let it go for you since it was not much over. In other words you quote over 10 miles but really only start to charge if it is over 15 miles but if it was 20 miles you charge the whole amount. Hope that makes sense.

I did a job for a guy that lives in my area one time. He liked the work and was happy with the amount. His brother then needed some work but only problem he lives a extra 30 miles away plus I would have to cross a $10 toll bridge. I quoted him a price and he wanted to know why it was more than his brother had to pay. I told him mileage and tolls. And if he did not like my price he could always get somebody more local.

Like INDY says if you are not making money you just as soon stay home and watch TV. Only difference is I like Law and Order reruns better than Andy G.

My "base rate" was $60 an hour. This summer, it's $75 an hour for the first 2 hours, then $60 for any time AFTER that. Any jobs OVER 25 miles from home are billed $1 per mile (one way) beyond that 25 miles. Since MOST of my work is with-in that 25 mile range, the increased cost of the first 2 hours covers most of my cost of moving (over what's already included in my "base rate")

I'm also telling all my customers that should fuel continue to rise in cost, expect a rate increase from me.

If I don't have the opportunity to make a buck, I'm staying home and watching Andy Griffith re-runs..... .

--->Paul