New solo business owner question.
I rented a GPS unit to obtain SPC for a site. Is it appropriate to add the rental cost as a separate line item to the client's invoice and list it as such? Should I bill for the time (2 hours round-trip x2) to pick-up and return the unit?
Thanks.
No, It Is A Part Of Your Overhead
I charge for GPS work when it is an additional request, but for most of my work it is just a normal part of the job.
Paul in PA
Something I've done before when in a slight position of not really having the right equipment for the scope of the project is to seek the assistance of a fellow surveyor with the right gear. Could be a digital level run, your SPC needs, an ATV, a boat, even a robot or extra traffic & safety control. Heck even a good CAD guy is worth their weight in gold. Some of that can be a scheduling problem, but that's why you're also the sales & marketing director.
Get your peers on page and they will not only be more than willing to help, but likely call upon you for some future work (they don't want). As a new soloist the key is to expand your network.
But I certainly would not include the rental of equipment so basic nowadays as a line item unless it was previously agreed upon. Put the travel time and mileage in and you'll likely never hear from them again. Just bury it somewhere and start looking for a used receiver.
Best of all to you in your new adventure. It's a slippery slope but well worth the ride.
The rate for a GPS crew is usually just more than a 2 person TS crew.
Charge for the GNSS, don't charge for pick up / delivery time (that's your cost if you do not have that tool in your 2015 toolbox) but include travel time from office to worksite and back.
Example, leave office at 8, GNSS survey in the morning, back at office at 12, that's 4 hours
I'm hesitant to provide many line items on my invoices. It gives the client something to pick at, now or on future jobs. My life has been easier since I started billing one lump sum for the job. Just my experience.
Jack
This would depend on your contract. Did you agree on a lump sum, not to exceed amount or some kind of an estimate? If I was your client, I would not appreciate an unexpected charge. If you gave him a price, he would fully expect for you to be including the necessary equipment in the estimate to do the work.
Chris,
Back in the stone age when I started my business I charge extra for GPS gear. At that time GPS was very specialized equipment and my primary focus was providing control. Now GPS/GNSS is simply a tool that most surveyors have (hell the general public thinks that is all we use) the price for one receiver is included in my hourly rate. If a job requires multiple receivers I will add a daily charge for the extra equipment but the client knows this going into the project.
As for your current situation. Did you give the client a lump sum proposal or time and material estimate. If the job was lump sum then I would say it does not matter, the client should not see an itemized break down.
If the job was T&M you have a show your costs. First I would not charge for the equipment pickup, that should be part of your overhead, it is just the cost of not having a common tool in the box. As for billing for the rented equipment, if you have not already provided a rate sheet I would just increase my rates to cover the rental cost.
Good luck