I'm not trying to price fix here; I'd just like to get a general idea of what others are charging repeat clients.
A coulple of years ago, a client hires me to survey his property for a site plan so he can build an addition to his home. He had a boundary survey done back in the seventy's, when he purchased the property. I agree with this survey; there is an old fence, about a foot into his neighbors property, also shown on this survey. He'd like to own to the fence and sought my advice on how to do that. I told him the first thing to do is talk to the neighbor and get him to sign a boundary line agreement. This all goes smooth and he pays me for the additional work.
During construction, he hires me to do an elevation certificate on the new construction and set a point on the revised line for him.
He called me Friday and asked me to come back again and set 2 more points on line. The line is only 78 feet long but it's fairly steep, at the back of the lot. This will be pretty easy and it will take longer to drive the 30 minutes there, than to set the 2 points.
I never know what to charge for work like this, what do you do?
Doug
Toughest decisions for me to make as well. Especially cause the check comes quick and cashes.
If I'm gonna make a mistake on the low side, I'm gonna make it with a guy like this.
However, I always tell the guy/gal to tell the their friends about me, and guess what, they usually do.
I have a three hour minimum. I would probably tell a client like yours to make a list of all his little 'diddies' and we'd gladly get them all done in that time frame.
No charge.
> I'm not trying to price fix here; I'd just like to get a general idea of what others are charging repeat clients.
>
> A coulple of years ago, a client hires me to survey his property for a site plan so he can build an addition to his home. He had a boundary survey done back in the seventy's, when he purchased the property. I agree with this survey; there is an old fence, about a foot into his neighbors property, also shown on this survey. He'd like to own to the fence and sought my advice on how to do that. I told him the first thing to do is talk to the neighbor and get him to sign a boundary line agreement. This all goes smooth and he pays me for the additional work.
>
> During construction, he hires me to do an elevation certificate on the new construction and set a point on the revised line for him.
>
> He called me Friday and asked me to come back again and set 2 more points on line. The line is only 78 feet long but it's fairly steep, at the back of the lot. This will be pretty easy and it will take longer to drive the 30 minutes there, than to set the 2 points.
>
> I never know what to charge for work like this, what do you do?
>
>
>
> Doug
Doug,
You could always tell him your hourly rate, and say since you have been a loyal client, next time I have a survey near your home I will stop by and do it for the time it takes me. If he is in a rush for it charge him two hours.
Really??????
> Really??????
Yes really.
Okay fine, how about a cold case of Budweiser in cans?
Yes. I like this guy. He'll try to pay me anyway. If he gives me something; fine. But, he will continue to be one of my best advertisers.
Your time is valuable, if you want to do something for free, go golf or play with your children. Heck, go fishing. Please stop giving away your work product! I work to feed my family and pay my bills. Charge your going hourly rate or give a small discount for repeat clients and show on your invoice the discount.
well, it's 30 minutes there and back. And the time to do the work. And the value of what you're doing for your client.
I rarely have to drive that far to a project, but I always have a "minimum field visit" fee... mine is $150. no matter if I'm there 5 minutes or an hour. Usually, if something will take me over an hour, I send out a proposal or at least go over it on the phone or email, so that no one is surprised when the bill comes.
You just never know, some people don't think a bill should come, and others want to pay you in the field. I like to avoid both of those situations.
> You just never know, some people don't think a bill should come, and others want to pay you in the field. I like to avoid both of those situations.
The 'pay me before I leave the job customers' are refreshing, but I always figure out a way to leave before they catch me again. Nice problem to have but I'm not comfortable with it either.
Time & Materials.
I wonder why this is so difficult? Charge him your standard hourly rate (assuming you have one). If he is a loyal repeat client apply whatever discount you feel is appropriate and indicate this on your invoice.
Personally I would charge him my straight hourly rate from the office to the job site and back to the office and bill accordingly.
I charge by the hour .
Mostly, a "trip charge" and that means whatever it is to cover my costs for little jobs for repeat clients. We do not do this for new jobs, or indepth revisits to the ground, such as topo or construction layout.
As a man once said to me
"We are trying to make a livin, not a killin"
Andy
I too do not like to be paid in the field.
Andy
Yeah, might as well leave it on the dresser on your way out!!!
> I wonder why this is so difficult?
As you can see from the replies to this post; charges vary from free to a minimum of 3 hours.....
What makes you think you and I are right?
😉
Radar
To do anything else would be uncivilized.
If the client decided that he would like a new shelf installed in their new kitchen do you suppose the carpenter should swing by and do that work for free?
It is my opinion that you have already earned the good will of the customer at this point so giving the work away for free is not going to get you anywhere. It is however reasonable to not price the work as a lump sum as you would for a new job as you now have a ongoing relationship with the client.
> Yes... he will continue to be one of my best advertisers.
Really?
Do you want this guy telling all of his friends you work for free?
When I contract with a client I include my rate sheet, so there are no surprises when extra services are requested.
Doug
