Mileage Rates?

RhetoricMixes

RhetoricMixes

New member
Joined
Dec 13, 2011
Messages
1,020
Reaction score
0
To all you mobile people, do you charge beyond a specified amount of miles for any details? My part time business is growing and Im getting tons of work that is over 1.5 hours away (approx 90-120) miles away. Some of the cars I have to evaluate are further than that and the vehicle I have for mobile use isnt exactly fuel efficient and is fine for local jobs but is it wrong to charge someone .50 cents per mile if they're beyond say 35 miles from me?

And will it hurt my business in the long run since I live in a small town and clients re calling me from the bigger cities north of me. In my mind it doesnt make sense to pay me $140 to one step your car and pay almost that same amount in gas charges making the total double. am i going crazy thinking this way?
 
Hell no it isn't wrong. If its far enough away, I charge a trip charge. If your work is good enough, people won't mind paying for it. Everyone knows how much gas costs. I don't charge per mile cause that gets too hard, I just charge a flat rate depending on how far the customer is. Me personally, I wouldn't drive 1.5 hours to do someones car. That means its 3 hours added on to my work day that I'm not getting paid for plus my time is more valuable and I can make more money if I work locally. You have to take into consideration wear and tear on your truck as well as gas. It adds up quick.
 
I don't do only mobile, but I've been doing a good bit lately. I've gone as far as 90 minutes from me (60-80 miles) and I don't charge by the mileage, I just build it into the price of the detail when I quote it. I think that makes it seem like you aren't nickel and diming your customers too much. Just my .02
 
Flannigan said:
I don't do only mobile, but I've been doing a good bit lately. I've gone as far as 90 minutes from me (60-80 miles) and I don't charge by the mileage, I just build it into the price of the detail when I quote it. I think that makes it seem like you aren't nickel and diming your customers too much. Just my .02
Click to expand...

Yeah that seems like the better way to go but how would I phrase that extra charge to a customer when i have a price list that they base their total price on? If i look at it from their point of view id think that i was dealing with some sneaky detail person that didnt mention that little "charge" in the end.
 
Mobile detail said:
Hell no it isn't wrong. If its far enough away, I charge a trip charge. If your work is good enough, people won't mind paying for it. Everyone knows how much gas costs. I don't charge per mile cause that gets too hard, I just charge a flat rate depending on how far the customer is. Me personally, I wouldn't drive 1.5 hours to do someones car. That means its 3 hours added on to my work day that I'm not getting paid for plus my time is more valuable and I can make more money if I work locally. You have to take into consideration wear and tear on your truck as well as gas. It adds up quick.
Click to expand...

It does feel good knowing people like my work that and its spread that far Im the MAN. I also forgot to mention that most of these jobs that are far away consist of full details with 2-3 steps each and are already costly for the client. Will it turn them away if I have to add another $100-$150 just for gas?
 
BTW when I'm mobile I'm paid for every hour I'm away from my house, travel, work time, breaks etc. I always quote like that.
 
Flannigan said:
BTW when I'm mobile I'm paid for every hour I'm away from my house, travel, work time, breaks etc. I always quote like that.
Click to expand...

The way I price everything i always strive to make at least $20-$25/hour for my jobs. Ive found it helps when you figure out what you want to make an hour first then price your packages based off that.
 
I charge my regular hourly rate...both ways

All I have to sale is my time and there's only so much of it each day
 
RhetoricMixes said:
how would I phrase that extra charge to a customer when i have a price list that they base their total price on?
Click to expand...

Make certain your price list includes the term "and up*"

I also review the price in person with the customer before starting, and have them initial the work order. Then no confusion about 'tax included / plus tax' or other issues.
 
Look at it like this, if there willing to call you for multi stage paint correction as you say, imo there willing to pay the gas for you to come do the correction. They called you for a reason.

I dont go the mileage rate, but as Flash said you will just pay me my hourly rate, and my hourly is different out of town than it is in town. Sit down with a calculator, figure mpg, wear and tear, your time. Than you will know what you NEED to make to not lose money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top