Need help Pricing a Job

[RMBPhotos]

Hi Folks!

Would love to hear your suggestions and comments for my deliemma.

I'm a business owner who photographs candid potraits, part-time, on the weekends. It's a great side business, making good money and am booked till August.

Well, I recently received a request from my Uncle this week that he was awarded the bid to gut and rebuild an ebassy in DC - large building, big project. He needs to get labeled photos of every wall, moulding and fixture that is currently in the building. He has requested my services to complete this task. Said it should take 4-5 hours on site, travel, and then labeling the pictures. So my question is how much do I charge?

Three things to take into consideration:
* He's my Uncle
* This job will go under a business expense for him
* My fee for a 1-2hr session is $140 with an out of county fee of $25 (which this job is out of county)

So, with that said...any suggestions for a fee would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

RMB

[Niresangwa]

Have you asked what his budget is?

It seems kind of a simple, take-your-time cataloguing job by your description. While post processing may not be laborious in this kind of job, the labeling and cataloguing will certainly be. If everything is squared away while you shoot, it shouldn't be difficult to do the post-shoot work.

I guess in my mind when I get requests that don't fit my usual molds, I figure out approximately how many hours it will take start to finish, and think on how much I would want to be paid for that. I know that sounds overly simplistic. If you can roughly figure out what you make on your regular shoots and find an hourly rate then apply it to your estimated hour-load for this job, it would be a place to start. Add in a travel charge, and discount what you think your blood-relation is worth and you'll be in a ballpark. Any ancilliary expenses, account for those too (assuming you have the lenses required for real estate work, and don't need to rent).

Though he's your uncle, I imagine I won't be the only one who would caution you to get a contract for this too.

He may be your uncle, but he's getting paid for this development, and has money for this. Blood is worth something, but so is your time and expertise.

[fantasmic2tek]

Business is business.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by RMBPhotos

Said it should take 4-5 hours on site, travel, and then labeling the pictures. So my question is how much do I charge?

you need to tell HIM how long you will need... and then charge per hour
your hourly rate need to include processing and tagging time.


dont do the whole job and walk away.. show samples and check with him you're on the right track.

[RMBPhotos]

Thank you for the comments!!

I think an hourly rate with a contract it a great idea.

I appreciate it!

[jdepould]

I'd recommend running the actual mileage and charging the IRS rate, that way it doesn't count as income, but rather reimbursement.

Or just take the mileage credit as an expense when you file. That may be simpler.

Either way, factor it in when you give him a price.

[chris123]

One thing i tell you about the business.There is no relation in business whoever is come to you.He is your uncle you charge $120 for this job and also sign contract with him for future work.Be sure do work good because its business work not personal.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by jdepould

I'd recommend running the actual mileage and charging the IRS rate, that way it doesn't count as income, but rather reimbursement.

Or just take the mileage credit as an expense when you file. That may be simpler.

Either way, factor it in when you give him a price.

I always charge mileage and expenses.