TOPIC: Travel for an Inspection

John,
That's exactly what I do and for the same reasons.  I carry a 24-foot ladder with me so I have to have my truck.  Plus I get alright mileage with the pickup.

Will,
What is your strategy brother?  I'd love to do exactly what you're doing.  I'd say most of us would.  School us!  Nice work with the investors--perfect.

Greg

Oh and I didn't mention this before, I don't charge for fuel unless the inspection is outside a 30 mile radius from where I live.  Anything outside that point I charge a fuel surcharge for the whole mileage amount.  I don't subtract the 30 miles from the total.

If and when I can get my prices up high enough, I will do away with the surcharge because vehicle cost will be included in the price of every inspection I do.

Wow, a buck a mile... thats a pretty hefty charge... at that rate I'd have to charge an additional $130 to the fee?
I don't think that would fly for me... Although who knows, they might have accepted it...

the way I figured it, since it took me less than a half tank of gas, I just rounded it out to half the price of a tank of gas.
It probably did cost me a little more than that, but who's counting...

My inspection fees ALREADY have my full business costs built into them, and then some.

Granted it was a stretch, to travel that far...
I don't relish going on long trips either, but this was a one-off, and not typical.
Plus, the condo was a creme puff...perfect in every way...I was on the road back to the ranch before the sun was setting.

You also get to write off the mileage as a business expense, which helps decrease your actual costs.

Wow, a buck a mile... thats a pretty hefty charge... at that rate I'd have to charge an additional $130 to the fee?
I don't think that would fly for me... Although who knows, they might have accepted it...

the way I figured it, since it took me less than a half tank of gas, I just rounded it out to half the price of a tank of gas.
It probably did cost me a little more than that, but who's counting...

My inspection fees ALREADY have my full business costs built into them, and then some.

Granted it was a stretch, to travel that far...
I don't relish going on long trips either, but this was a one-off, and not typical.
Plus, the condo was a creme puff...perfect in every way...I was on the road back to the ranch before the sun was setting.

I think you misunderstood how I charge mileage.  If its 65 miles one way, I charge $65 fuel surcharge. Not $130.  It works out to be $0.50 per mile if you figure in both directions.

Since you figure mileage into your price, I wouldn't worry about how far it is.  You will recoup any lose on shorter trips.  But you definitely want to keep track of mileage for taxes like Dom said!

Hey, let's give Steve some karma!!