Mileage Charges for Consultants

[davidjpowell]

I work as a Consultant for a number of firms. My contracts give me the ability to charge disbursements although I rarely do so.

Given the price of fuel now is the time that I feel that I should be charging mileage. Given that my clients are throwing ever more work at me, and my charges have not increased for sometime I think that this will be accepted.

But I would be pleased to hear what other consultants charge? I'm thinking around the 25p mark, but want to make sure that I am not way off?

David

[siscar]

40p - it's the standard rate allowed by HMRC for companies to pay employees who use their own cars so is the standard rate most companies are used to paying.

[RizzoTheRat]

siscar said:

40p - it's the standard rate allowed by HMRC for companies to pay employees who use their own cars so is the standard rate most companies are used to paying.

then down to 25p/mile after the first 10,000 miles.

I claim the maximum rate from my own company, but only charge customers 25p/mile if they want me to go to sites other than the one I've based my chargeout rage on.

[V8mate]

I find that some clients are happy with a day rate plus expenses whereas others like the consistency of a fully inclusive price. You need to assess which camp each client falls into and either introduce a mileage charge or increase your daily rate according to their preference.



ETA: Though good luck with either approach. I know many consultants who are being currently being called in for 'discussions' at which they are being told either to accept a 15%+ reduction in daily rate or a week's notice.

Edited by V8mate on Sunday 11th April 22:05

[davidjpowell]

Fortunately the climate is suiting my clients nicely and they are expanding quite quickly. The one time that conversation was brought up I was able to prove that I am very good value and they were content at that.

It's in their interest really as the last thing they want is for me to compromise on miles as it would affect the outcome.

But it's also why I am trying to gauge the right level rather than marching in at 45p and getting backs up...

[siscar]

RizzoTheRat said:

siscar said:

40p - it's the standard rate allowed by HMRC for companies to pay employees who use their own cars so is the standard rate most companies are used to paying.

then down to 25p/mile after the first 10,000 miles.

I claim the maximum rate from my own company, but only charge customers 25p/mile if they want me to go to sites other than the one I've based my chargeout rage on.

Yes it goes down to 25p from an HMRC perspective, but companies are used to paying 40p, so usually that is a rate you can charge. Sure, you can charge less if you want, but a basic principle I work on is that I look for a reason to charge more, not less.

[RizzoTheRat]

siscar said:

a basic principle I work on is that I look for a reason to charge more, not less.

A good theory to live by

Unfortunatly I'm limited by 25p/mile being my end customers standard mileage rate. There's also different rates for company cars (21p I think) so firms that are used to staff having company cars may expect to be paying that rate.

[Blown2CV]

i get 20p a mile. Claim the difference up to 40p using P87 form.

[AB]

I get 40ppm and charge clients 55ppm.