Mileage costs or include in session fee?

[Kerioak]

Those photographers who offer photographic sessions at other people's homes/stables/place of work etc do you think it is better to charge a mileage allowance or up the fee to include travelling. Does it make a difference if it is a couple of miles away or 100 miles round trip?

I have just checked my rough mileage costs on a travel share site and it worked out at about 88p a mile - a little high I think to charge clients.

I did wonder about inclusive within a certain area and a per-mile price outside that but would appreciate others thoughts on this

 

[Raymond Lin]

Hourly rate + expenses at 37p per mile.

That's what the legal profession charges, so you could charge your session fee plus expenses.

 

[Marc]

Hi Christine

I charge a flat 50p per mile travel cost. I think it keeps things simple and prevents ambiguity. I think it may overcomplicate things to change a fee each time based on distance and it helps the customer in that it would be easier to break down the costs for them.

 

[TrevDR]

I'm sure current Tax rates are 40 pence per mile allowance.

 

[DiddyDave]

I'm sure current Tax rates are 40 pence per mile allowance.

(for the first 10,000 miles) the 88p is the actual cost no doubt, taking into account wear n tear, insurance, depreciation, etc.

Most practical is Free for first 5, 10, whatever miles and 40ppm thereafter - so you include 40ppm for every client anyway and make a few pennies extra if they live just 4 miles away

Of course if you charge an hourly rate instead, as most commercial togs do, the expenses are often a part of that if the hourly rate is high; or in addition if they can get away with it - but is a client likely to fall for £100 an hour to pay for you driving??? I wouldn't!!!

DD

 

[kalibre]

I'm sure current Tax rates are 40 pence per mile allowance.

You can charge whatever you like for mileage/travel, however the maximum amount to be claimed as an expense is 40ppm. (For the first 10k as DiddyDave says, 25ppm thereafter.)

 

[Kerioak]

Thanks for all your replies. I think I will probably go with travelling inclusive of session fee for first 15 miles each way and then 40ppm thereafter unless they re-negotiate to include the travelling as part of the hourly rate. This will give me a diameter to the outskirts of the "local" towns

 

[JumboBeef]

I charge £50ppm after the first 50 miles.

 

[Kerioak]

I charge £50ppm after the first 50 miles.

I must admit this does sound an even better idea

 

[dazzajl]

I include 25 miles with a half day shoot and 50 miles on a full day. After that, it's £1 a mile. After all, if it's not just the cost of the journey but the time too.

The alternative is to charge travel at cost and run the job clock door to door.

 

[purpleclouds]

I charge £50ppm after the first 50 miles.

£50 per mile?!

 

[JumboBeef]

OK, so there was £ in there that shouldn't have been. 50ppm after the first 50 miles.......and yes I do charge travel time as well if it is over a couple of hours.

 

[Kerioak]

I thought the £ sign was deliberate which was why I liked the price

 

[stevewestern]

It would be worth moving further away if you can get £50 per mile..!