Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Donovanassist · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

Do any of you meet with your clients in person? If so, do you bill them only for the time you meet or do you include your travel time? I have a client who lives 30 minutes away and I'm not sure if I should bill her for my driving time.

Rebecka Melson · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

I have a few local clients that I meet with occasionally. I actually have one coming to meet at my house today (this is not normal procedure). I do not charge for initial consulations, but after they become a client I do charge for meeting time. I don't usually charge for driving time if it's in the city, under 30 minutes round trip, just for the time I spent at their location. It just depends on the situation. It is perfectly acceptable to charge for your travel time.

VirtualLorri · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

Time spent meeting with clients in person, including travel time, is time that takes you away from the rest of your work. You definitely should bill them for the commute time.

As for your mileage, keep track of it as a business expense - the current government reimbursement rate is $0.585 per mile.

Warmly,

Lorri

unikeone_2003 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

This is a great question because I have been approached about doing some VA work but the individual also wanted me to attend meetings from time to time. At first I was opposed to doing this but once it was decided that attending the meetings would be billed as billable time, I don't mind doing it from time to time.

AwesomeAssistant · #5 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

If it's just a quick pick up or drop off, I offer this free to clients with 15 miles. Otherwise, I charge for travel time and the time we meet.

Robin_Holstein · #6 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

What does the plumber do? The plumber charges from port-to-port. That means from the time they leave HQ or the last job until the time they reach your place, then they charge for the time spent working at your place.

Are your skills and abilities at or above those of a plumber?

Now, I'm not belittling plumbers. I'm asking you to consider education, experience, difficulty, etc.

Linda Taylor · #7 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008

I have one client that I just got a signed contract from. I did need to travel about 45 minutes. I did add 46 cents a mile along with a consultation fee. I also have another client that has been with me from the idea of going virtual and he pays my lowest per hour rate. This has worked out for me. I do let them know up front that they will be charged.

Good Luck,
Linda Taylor

Vicky · #8 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008

My answer to that would be yes, as that traveling time is lost to the rest of my billable hours working for them or other clients.

Diamond Virtual Services · #9 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008

I have a client that I meet with once a month. I bill for both my travel and meeting time.

Administrative Partners · #10 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008

Local clients sometimes forget we are virtual... I am definiently going to have to add that as part of my contract. I plan to charge for the time and not he miles. I will write those in as a business expenses as mentioned before.