Just starting to price a new project about 2 hrs drive time one way.Most of our projects are local, within 1/2 hr drive for my men.We all meet at job site by 8:00 am to start the day.
What is the industry standard for paid drive time to the site and home? We will be travelling in my truck each day . I am thinking that the client should pay both ways.We their choice for a builder.
The question is do all employers pay for travelling? Both ways? One way?
Replies
As far as pricing the job, drive time should be considered when making your proposal.
As for paying the workers, I've worked for companies who provide a gas card and pay for the time. I've also worked for companies who felt I should just be glad I have a job to drive to, and paid me nothing. I think far more common is paid one way and it's not the same as hourly pay. Like when I was working for the stair company, they paid me an extra $10/day when I had a long drive, which didn't compare to my $28/hr pay but it made me feel better about the daily commute. Mostly just cover fuel costs.
On the other hand, 2 hours each way was unheard of. One hour was the longest drive, unless there was a traffic jamb or something.
Since they're riding with you, it doesn't cost them anything for gas. However, 4 hours a day just in travel time should be compensated for.
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You have to factor total travel expenses (time AND mileage) in your costs!
This needs to factored against the costs of living near the job site weekdays and going home week-ends. No other way to do it. You'll lose any profit to travel expenses if you eat even one-way travel costs.
I don't see how you could even consider any other arrangement.
John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
"The question is do all employers pay for traveling? Both ways? One way?"
The answer, No not ALL employers pay.
But doing what's right is another thing.
Two hours each way is pretty good haul. That's basically three hours a day out of your guys lives do as they wish. Though, I would bet they would nap on the way there and the way back.
I think they and you should be compensated but maybe not the full hourly wage. Could you do a per diem, might save labor burden that way. Per diem or a fixed amount would also eliminate the risk of hitting traffic and having to pay the guys while waiting for a wreck to clear.
We get paid full wages even overtime if we are on it. And we only drive company trucks. That's why if it's two or more hours it's usually cheaper to spend the night if a return trip is called for. Especially with fuel prices being so high.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHE1dM4hYCw
I always gave them a choice. If the job was long enough I just put them up in a motel and $15 for meal money. The other choice was, paid hourly one way.
You are talking about taking a typical 45 hour week (1 hour travel/day) and turning it into a 60 hour week. Dont' know about you, but I wouldnt give someone 15 hours for free, and wouldn't expect an employee to eat 15 hours.
Nobody rides for free.
With my last major employer the boss did not pay windshield time, but for for the R/T commute he would pay mileage for anything over 35 miles total. Most all jobs were not over 1.25 hrs. drive each way.
my time starts at the office where I clock in and finish at the office where I clock out. client pays everything bewteen them two clocks
Yup that's the deal we have. It all goes on the paperwork as travel time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHE1dM4hYCw
This is always a good question. Especially to hear how everybody treats it.
I pay full wages one way, lunch, and coffee break cost when we are on the road. That is to say when we are working on a project that is 40 minutes away or more.
It is about doing what is right for the guys who work for you and what you would consider fair if you worked for someone else. This stuff goes a long way in terms of loyalty and performance from employees.
Jon
Russian saying
ubotawat.
The standard for travel time is 58 1/2 cents per mile. Sure you can charge whatever you want but don't be surprised if that should raise eyebrows.. Or even cause them to reconsider their preferred builders..
However I'm not in your area and perhaps builders are scarce there.. You should let local conditions determine your costs not what someone else where might feel..