Sound them out, ZIP code first. Then asking about number of pages, how soon the eDocs can be sent, etc., and what do they consider a reasonable fee. Meanwhile you are busily MapQuest-ing the approximate location. Now you have a rough idea of mileage (center of ZIP code to center of ZIP code). If you get the other information, well and good.
What should their fee offer SHOULD cover: (a) your time, expertise and liability for E&O, (b) reasonable travel distance (about 20-25 miles round trip), and (c) notarial acts.
Determining an offer's profitability-
Cost of Business/Day = (utilities + subscriptions + web + communications + insurance + admin supplies + vehicle & equipment depreciation, taxes, etc.)/365
Offer - (notarial acts*state fee) - (print fee*pp) - (rt mileage*state-allowed fee) - cob = Actual Offer
Unless it is a really good offer, printing should be a separate fee, otherwise they could print and overnight. Notarial acts have an intrinsic value set by each state per each act.
time = travel time + on-site time + pre- and post-signing time (admin time)
Actual Offer/ est. time = est. wage per hour
Now answer, "Is that wage worth my time?"
Note that the notarial acts amount is not a part of determining your wage. It is, however, a part of business profit; and how it is declared depends on how you are structured tax-wise.
Let the bargaining begin... -Brian |
