Question

Topic: Other

New Mkting Consultant - Need Advice

Posted by Anonymous on 8/15/2008 at 1:36 PM ET 125 Points
Hello,

I have just started my consulting firm, and luckily, things are already progressing nicely. I am working on my proposal template, and people are pleased with my work.

One question--I charge clients for mileage to/from meetings and any other work that may take me out of my home office. I have a client that needs me to work out of his office, as there are a number of files on the company server that I need to use for my work. Do I charge for mileage to/from his office? I spend 3 days a week there, and they allow me to do my other consulting work from the office (return phone calls, send faxes, print out items I need, etc) while I'm there.

Any advice on this would be helpful.

Thanks!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Mikee on 8/15/2008 at 2:13 PM Member
    I personally would not bill them the miles. Employees do not get paid mileage. Even though you are consulting you have a regular committment there, be thankful for that. I do not like when I feel like I get nickeled and dimed by consultants or lawyers, paying for copies etc.

    Do make sure that your rates take into account you are a consultant and need to pay all your taxes and benefits.

    My 2 cents,

    Mike
  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 8/15/2008 at 2:42 PM Member
    Depends on what we're talking about in terms of time and miles.

    If the distance is small, you could argue that you're offsetting these costs by the fact that your client lets you do other things while you're in his office. Are you billing for that time, too? If so, then I'd consider it a wash.

    If we're talking about a huge drive, then I'd think about not only charging for the miles but also a discounted rate on the time. In a non-marketing life, I would charge people half of my hourly rate for driving more than 20 minutes each way, plus the mileage.

    I agree that you need to be careful that your client does not feel like you are going to nickel and dime then. Give some thought as to how your client charges its customers and see if they might then tolerate being charged for miles.

    Can you possibly get remote access to the client's files?
  • Posted on 8/15/2008 at 2:44 PM Accepted
    It sounds like the client you mention is not charging you for printing or fax use, if they did, don't you think you would feel they are being petty? I think if they are giving you this courtesy and then you charged them for miles, they may start to think they are chiseling them.

    On the other side of the coin, if you are driving a long way, this costs you time and money, and it needs to be covered. So I may insist that I pay for the printing and faxing I use of theirs and then bill them for travel expenses.
  • Posted by michael on 8/15/2008 at 6:37 PM Accepted
    You should bill and then show a credit. This way they don't ever take it for granted.

    Michael
  • Posted on 8/15/2008 at 11:44 PM Member
    I once had a client that I charged to deliver printed materials to. She got upset and told me that her former agency didn't charge for delivery. I later reasoned with myself that her previous agency had to pay the delivery person an hourly wage to deliver. Whether the income for the delivery came by itemizing the it as a separate charge or through a higher rate the agency had only one source for the income--the client.

    All that being said I should have just ate the cost as our relationship quickly deteriorated and I lost the client.
  • Posted by babbsela on 8/16/2008 at 1:12 AM Accepted
    I think you have a pretty sweet deal there. I would add up all my costs, including mileage, when computing my hourly fee.

    I have a few good clients whom I have to see on a monthly basis, and have never charged mileage.
  • Posted by Azaz Motiwala on 8/16/2008 at 2:05 AM Member
    If you will be working to client office who will attend your other clients..? If you think you can loss your other clients by giving time and attendance to client's office, you should charge him extra..! Consultant get paid for his expertise and time..!So evaluate your self and proceed accordingly.
  • Posted by heidibisbee on 8/16/2008 at 4:35 PM Accepted
    Your fee should always be inclusive. I started out the same way with my firm, and found that my clients were perturbed by any "Extra" fees, but responded much better when the fee was all inclusive. It makes them feel like you are going above and beyond, which in reality you should be doing anyways with all the competition out there.

    Heidi Bisbee
    Bizzybee Marketing, LLC
  • Posted on 8/17/2008 at 12:03 PM Accepted
    As an independent contractor, I believe you should charge for mileage. Furthermore, you should charge your client for photo copies, faxes, long distance calling, and any other expenses that you incur. Make sure to have each client sign an Independent Contractor Marketing Personnel Agreement. You can purchase and download this contract from the following website: https://www.uslegalforms.com/us/US-INDC-129.htm
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