Many computer consultants don’t charge a travel fee or surcharge.  Others will charge a flat rate or even an amount based on time or mileage or both!  Let’s break it down a little:

On average it takes 30 minutes to arrive at a client.  On average, it takes 19 miles to arrive at a client.  In my city, this wouldn’t surprise anyone.  Some clients are very close, others are very far.  Either way, in this city, driving is a pain.  Not nearly as bad as, say, Atlanta, but it can be bad at times.

Lets say at a minimum, there are two clients in every day.  This is one hour of time spent on travel, or 38 miles depending how you look at it.  Do you feel like you should not charge for this time?  I know many freelancers who say they do not charge a travel charge just to make their bid look more appealing.

At these rates, that is over $100 per day of lost revenue.  By IRS guidelines, it is a cost to the vehicle alone of $18.43.  If you or your employees spend this hour commuting and you do not bill for this time, you are basically giving up an hour of each day for free.

Pick whatever method you like best (flat rate, per mile, time), but bill for your time.  Or don’t, and miss out on the revenue.  It’s your choice.

-Zachary M. Morvik