Example: If I have to drive to a client to pick something up (not a far distance), then deliver to another location, would you recommend that I charge for mileage from my home to their location to the drop off, or just for their location to the dropoff? I liken driving from my home to their location to what I did when I had an employer--they didn't pay me to drive to work, but they did if I drove FOR work. Unless it's a long way to their location, then yes, I should bill for mileage from my home. But if it's not far from my home to their location, and I need to drop something at the printer's for them, should I just bill mileage for the trip to the printer's and back? Or should I bill from my home to their location to the printer's and back?

Hi,

First you have to stop thinking like a employee and start thinking like a business owner. Remember, time is money.


When I have a client that needs services on-site I charge my going rate from the time I leave my home/business until I return. For simple pick-up and delivery I charge a mileage rate for local within 10 miles and the hourly rate for all others.

Hope this helps and good luck

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Ruth M Callejas, Lead Consult Admin & More
Taking Care Of The 'To Do' List, So You Can Take Care Of Business

Hi
I was only planning on using the miles (well actually Kilometres as I live in Australia - you get the drift) - miles travelled scenario. However, after reading Ruth's reply, I'm thinking charging for time, is the way to go.
Tania

I agree with Ruth, time is money so therefore charge as such. However, keep track of the mileage because it may be a deductible tax expense that your accountant will want to be aware of.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I would be charging my hourly rate in addition to mileage, not driving to their location for free. Where I live, gas is very expensive, and it's common for companies to add a fuel surcharge now. If I'm having to make a trip to their location, I'm already on the clock, and billing as such. I just didn't know if it was fair to charge them mileage from my home to their location as well. It's not their fault I live where I do, and the distance between. And if it's not a far distance, it's not going to hurt me not to charge mileage from my home, but I was afraid it would harm the relationship. I wouldn't want to lose a client because I was being nitpicky about a few bucks for mileage when I'm already charging my hourly rate.

I charge my hourly rate from the time I leave the office until I return. I don't charge mileage but do keep track of it. I include mileage in my tax return.

Carol

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CJ's Virtual Business Solutions
www.cjvbs.com

I also charge my hourly rate from the time I leave the office but not always until I return because I try to do appointment back to back. I tried charging mileage but found it was easier to be consistent with all my clients by just using my hourly rate.

Janet
EBusinessOnlinesupport

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Janet Falkenberg
ExecuStrive, Details Get Done

I like the idea of just charging an hourly rate. That seems like a fair solution.

Think about it this way. How does the plumber charge? He charges from mobilization to demobilzation.

DO NOT CHEAT YOURSELF!!

I don't charge mileage to my clients, but I do charge for my time. Because my time isn't free.

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

I just had to do this last week. I don't charge mileage, I charge my hourly rate. Sometimes when I'm rushing I forget to record the time I leave so I mapquest it, double the time for round-trip and add in the time I spent there.

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April Sullivan
The REVA Academy