Hi all, I've become curious about how other virtual assistants might be utilizing a policy I myself have in place for programming/design requests that states we bill for an hour minimum on these types of requests.
For strictly admin-relative projects I don't have a minimum at all, but I do bill these in (rounded to the client's advantage) 15 minute increments.

I was just wondering - if you have a similar policy about a '1 hour minimum', what it is - and are there ever any instances when you *don't* implement it? If so, what criteria determines if you'll use it or not? Or - do you *always* implement your mimimums?

Thanks so much for your feedback on this!

[Note: I do not bill on retainer.]

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I charge a one hour minimum for a one-off job. For my pay-as-you-go retainer clients I bill to the minute. However, as my client base increases I can see the day when my billing policies get reviewed for new clients. As with anything, it can be determined by the situation. I have policies in place but that doesn't mean I stick to them exclusively.

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

I just implemented a new policy as of the first of the year regarding minimums.! On several occassions, I have had a clients tell me that they need two or three hours for this or that and it only took me 37 minutes or so to complete. I used to bill to the minute, but now, I start at the one hour mark and go from there and then bill to the minute afterwards. Sending out an invoice for $12.00 or $15.00 dollars was not worth it!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

I have a one hour minimum per month, and I always implement it, but due to the type of work that I do I rarely have someone who just uses an hour so it's never been an issue. I usually bill weekly or upon job completion. If I have a regular client who just needs a quick job (less than an hour) during the week, then I will just wait and bill it with the next project instead of just billing for the one hour.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services