How to charge for mileage? I just want to make sure the commute is worth it?
Hi fellow sitters! So I am pretty new to Rover but there is a huge demand for pet care where I live. I get a lot of requests that are just a few miles away from work and my home. These are no issue for me and I think my pricing is pretty good and competitive with other Rover sitters in town and even other pet care providers.
However at least half of my requests come from another town that is about 25 miles round trip. I looked on mileage and the approved rate for mileage for 2018 for business per IRS website is 54.5 cents per mile. If I calculate that that would be $27 each trip to this town.
So to break it down these are my rates:
Housitting- $30.00 (plus $27 for mileage to White Rock) - they would be paying $57
Dog Walking-$15.00 (plus $27 for mileage to White Rock) they would be paying $42- this is crazy to me as this is more than the service!
Drop-in Visits- $15.00 (plus $27 for mileage to White Rock) they would be paying $42- this is crazy to me as this is more than the service!
My second client ever who lives in this town has hired me since March for 1 walk a day @ 10 bucks per walk for M-F walks in monthly increments (200 bucks a month and 160 to me after Rover fees). Her dog really likes me! However I do not know if this is worth it, I do not break even unless I happen to have other clients in this town. See what I mean?
It is a hard decision as some of my first and most loyal clients are from this town. I really do not want to charge them more but I just did not think things through in the beginning (i started doing this as a hobby really because I love animals so much). I really underestimated the demand for pet care in these two communities. I just need to make sure that the trip is worth it after Rover fees and gas/wear and tear on my vehicle, etc.. I know that I could exclude this town from my service area too, but I do not know if I want to do that as I have met some really great dogs and owners! Please give me your thoughts? Anyone been in this situation?
Thank you for asking this I am literally in the same boat as you right now and don't know if I should continue or rexommend someone else, or mention to client that I would not be able to offer such a price moving forward