TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-L Archives

Archiver > TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM > 2008-01 > 1199987170


From: "Elissa Scalise Powell, CG" <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] Raising Fees and Setting Fees
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:46:10 -0500
References: <cb9.22a3891a.34b7a4d9@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <cb9.22a3891a.34b7a4d9@aol.com>


I do agree with Rondina to separate out mileage from your fee. For one thing
when it comes time to pay the tax man it will be easier to see what was
actual income and what was reimbursed expenses (mileage, parking, tolls,
photocopies, record copies, etc.).

One thought I have had is that the formula for what to charge assumes that
everyone using it is working at an efficient, proficient level. If you are
right out of the starter box, the fee formula might be something you want to
build up to as you gain experience, speed, knowledge, etc. It is the nature
of the business that you are also learning on the job and the client should
not be taxed with that extra time spent especially if others in the area
charge the same and have more experience.

I too started at $10 per hour and went up in $5 increments usually at the
beginning of the year. Some of my old clients I kept at the same price until
their project was done. Others I went up some, but not to the new fee. It
can be confusing when there are several clients at the same time at
different rates, so just document that well for yourself.

My original agreement with my husband was to make enough to sustain my
interest in genealogy and support my educational efforts. Then when he was
laid off it was what we lived on for the months until he found another job.
Now it is to pay for two children in college (plus my original agreement of
paying for my educational and business expenses). It does keep me busy!
Diversity is also a key since I don't do just research.

Best wishes on finding your niche,
-- Elissa from Pittsburgh

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG
www.PowellGenealogy.com
CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for
Certification of Genealogists used under license after periodic evaluations
by the Board.


> -----Original Message-----
> From:
> Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:42 AM
>
> I would separate the travel costs (you are paying for more than gas)
> from your hourly fee. I charge the same amount whether I am in the car on
the
> way or way back from a repository as when I am doing anything else for a
client
> and charge the federal allowable rate for travel expenses separately. In
> 2008 that is 50.5 cents. It ends up on a separate line in my research
log.

This thread: