Hourly rates for freelance groom?

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LittleToTheRight

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Hi all!

I am hoping this is in the right forum, if not, please let me know 🙈

Currently I am considering becoming a freelance groom, as this has become a discussion point with a potential future client of mine. Before I agree anything with them, I want to work out how much I should even charge, as I want to do it properly.
There's things that come in to play, like; insurance, liability cover, pension, holidays and sick pay. These would otherwise be covered by the employer. At the end, I do still need to make enough money to live 🙃

I find it hard to put a price on my work, which is why I was hoping on some insight from other freelance grooms / people who have used them.

A little bit about me:
- Based in Ireland (so I'm thinking in euros)
- 28 years old
- Degree in Horse Business Management from the Netherlands
- +10 years experience in professional yards, from racing, to showjumping and dressage.
- Own car, possibility to drive 2-stall
- Able to be in sole charge

My own rough estimate right now is to charge €18 an hour, with an additional €0.30 charge per kilometre after the first 10km from home. Am I way off with this?

Any input would be greatly appreciated, especially if I am missing something.

Thanks 😊
 
Remember to say a minimum charge. You’d be surprised at how many people ask me to just bring in or just pop down to feed, it only takes 20 minutes and they will go over and over at how it only takes 20 mins. I think they expect me to drive somewhere and bill them for 20 minutes. I think you need to say that up front to people and make it clear!
 
Round here it’s about £15/h for a freelancer so 18 euro prob about right, upper end but you should value your work! Only thing I would say is if you are doing skilled riding (as opposed to basic exercise), I’d up that rate.

Agree with above, stipulate a minimum charge.
 
That sounds so cheap, even working 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year that's only £27,300 of turnover, let alone deducting expenses (or accounting for time off). I would go more around the £20 a hour mark.
 
You must remember to base your fee properly to include your true costs..insurances, car, tax etc then mileage on top and always charge a minimum hour charge then for each 15 minute block over that. So my freelancer charges £15/ hour so even if I need her for 40 minutes I pay an hour. But if I ask her to do a task which takes her an hour ten minutes I pay am additional 3.75 so 18.75 in total.
 
Thank you all for your feedback! I agree with the minimum call out charge, I had not yet considered that, as the client I am talking about in this case would need me for at least 15 hours per week on most occasions anyway. But of course it would still be relevant for other clients who might need less help than that.

Adding in additional 15 minute slots is also a good point!

Right now I am trying to work out the numbers for what my monthly cost would be of insurances/income protection, stuff I have to pay regardless of how many hours I work.
 
I also pay half fee if for any reason I cancel on th3 freelancer…not if they cancel me though. So if my dentist is due and therefore I don’t need my horses bringing in because I’m already at the yard I pay 7.50, and I do that because it isn’t the freelancers fault and they have bills to pay etc.
 
My charge varies a bit for bigger yards but I have a 30min minimum charge as most of my yards are very local.

30 mins £15
45 mins £20
1hr £25

For multiple hour yards I go £25 first hour, £20p/h after that. I’m fairly expensive but BHSAI qualified, insured and reliable so also always busy!
 
whirlwind said:
My charge varies a bit for bigger yards but I have a 30min minimum charge as most of my yards are very local.

30 mins £15
45 mins £20
1hr £25

For multiple hour yards I go £25 first hour, £20p/h after that. I’m fairly expensive but BHSAI qualified, insured and reliable so also always busy!
Click to expand...
Thank you!

This is insightful, I do have a degree from the Netherlands regarding horsemanship and business, but I am not sure how that compares to the BHS stages. Regardless, I do have actual experience in different countries working and riding in different yards in different disciplines.

Do you charge anything for distance travelled, or is everyone pretty much local for you?
 
LittleToTheRight said:
Thank you all for your feedback! I agree with the minimum call out charge, I had not yet considered that, as the client I am talking about in this case would need me for at least 15 hours per week on most occasions anyway. But of course it would still be relevant for other clients who might need less help than that.

Adding in additional 15 minute slots is also a good point!

Right now I am trying to work out the numbers for what my monthly cost would be of insurances/income protection, stuff I have to pay regardless of how many hours I work.
Click to expand...
Yes I find I no longer do it as a job properly but am happy to do holiday cover for people via word of mouth here and there so it’s often just a few horses for a few days which I fit in around other work so it’s usually not several hours in a go, which works for me as I don’t have time to do several hours or full days but still needs to be worth while.
 
LittleToTheRight said:
Thank you!

This is insightful, I do have a degree from the Netherlands regarding horsemanship and business, but I am not sure how that compares to the BHS stages. Regardless, I do have actual experience in different countries working and riding in different yards in different disciplines.

Do you charge anything for distance travelled, or is everyone pretty much local for you?
Click to expand...
All my regulars are pretty local (less than 10 mins I’d say) I go further for clipping but not general holiday care
 
whirlwind said:
My charge varies a bit for bigger yards but I have a 30min minimum charge as most of my yards are very local.

30 mins £15
45 mins £20
1hr £25

For multiple hour yards I go £25 first hour, £20p/h after that. I’m fairly expensive but BHSAI qualified, insured and reliable so also always busy!
Click to expand...
That sounds like a good price structure. As an owner I’d be happy paying that and as a groom you’d cover your costs.
 
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