New client- self employed. Petrol expenses

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maneandtail

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I'm a freelance groom and I recently got a job for a new client. The thing is, it's 17 miles from my usual clients and I usually charge 45p per mile after 5 miles from a central postcode around my clients.
The jobs was advertised and I got in contact with them, I usually advertise myself though. Would it be rude for me to ask for 45p per mile for the 12 miles difference it is? It would work out at around £25 a week. I can't claim it back from the tax office as I don't earn enough to be paying tax. What do you think? I would just feel rude asking for the mileage allowance when it was them that advertised and not me? especially as they are new clients.
 
maneandtail said:
Even though they were the one to advertise and they are setting the price I get paid per hour?
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See, I think that this would be rude. If you accepted the job as it was advertised, then it just doesn't seem right to whack £25 onto what they're already paying you.

However, if you haven't negotiated a price yet, then it's completely acceptable to throw your petrol allowance into the mix.
 
JJS said:
See, I think that this would be rude. If you accepted the job as it was advertised, then it just doesn't seem right to whack £25 onto what they're already paying you.

However, if you haven't negotiated a price yet, then it's completely acceptable to throw your petrol allowance into the mix.
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The price is set at £x per hour. HOWEVER they advertised it as "casual, self employed staff".
 
Sorry I missed that when it read your post, I employ freelance grooms and yes it would be rude to expect to change the deal just after you have started .
Both my freelancers live very very near to me so I don't pay travel.
In the past I have paid travel for grooms to return the second time in a day.
It depends on how many hours you are doing if it's only a few I would expect to pay your travel .
 
Goldenstar said:
Sorry I missed that when it read your post, I employ freelance grooms and yes it would be rude to expect to change the deal just after you have started .
Both my freelancers live very very near to me so I don't pay travel.
In the past I have paid travel for grooms to return the second time in a day.
It depends on how many hours you are doing if it's only a few I would expect to pay your travel .
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It's 30 hours per week. Thing is, we haven't spoken about the money side of it. It was advertised for £x per hour but we've not actually spoken about the money, only my experience and the job itself.
 
I think it would depend partly on whether the hourly rate they are offering is similar to your usual rate or more. You also have to factor in the fact that you will only have one return journey each day, so for every 5/6 hrs, depending on how many days a week you are working. You could tell them that you normally charge y per hour + travel expenses and see what they say, if they really want you they will be prepared to negotiate.

ETA, as you are self-employed you really should negotiate rates of pay in your initial discussions.
 
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maneandtail said:
It's 30 hours per week. Thing is, we haven't spoken about the money side of it. It was advertised for £x per hour but we've not actually spoken about the money, only my experience and the job itself.
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Then I think you can discuss it with them but do it soon.
Like I say I think it's fair to always pay extra for an extra return in a day ( like when I am away) and I have paid travel to people who live a long way away and do fill in hours for me .
It depends on the rate per hour of course if it's minimum wage I think you could argue fairly that they should contribute towards travel it's your getting £10 or more an hour then it's less clear cut.
 
If the job was advertised as £x/hr, that is what it is. If I advertised that and then was asked for travel expenses I'm afraid you wouldn't get the job.
 
Id say it depends. will it be one commute there and back a day? If so, then class it as normal commuting...I do 50 miles a day...

If you are having to go in a few times daily then maybe. Also depends on if the hourly rate covers your expenses and is realistic for you.
 
have you accepted the job on the basis it is £x per hour for a 30hr week without discussing the idea you would like them to cover your traveling expenses?

if so then the agreement is done and you cannot fairly ask for travel money, asking for travel money for what is essentially a full time job is pushing your luck anyway in my mind, you went for the job and accepted it on the original terms asking for travel money would be wrong.
 
twiggy2 said:
have you accepted the job on the basis it is £x per hour for a 30hr week without discussing the idea you would like them to cover your traveling expenses?

if so then the agreement is done and you cannot fairly ask for travel money, asking for travel money for what is essentially a full time job is pushing your luck anyway in my mind, you went for the job and accepted it on the original terms asking for travel money would be wrong.
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^^^^^ This.

I charge a fee, plus mileage over a certain figure, but if I work two hours I double the "free mileage" etc. etc. So, for 30 hours a week I don't think they would owe you any mileage anyway.

I would not have discussed money with you either, as you applied for 30 hours at X per hour. The money side will have already been held to have been agreed.

If you want to add mileage then you can, but I would not be surprised if you no longer had the job.
 
Surely if you are regularly working 30 hours a week plus your other jobs you will be earning enough to pay tax? And can claim travel against tax?

If it's only a short term booking, I think that I'd swallow the petrol cost this time but if booked again add it in that time...
 
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