Posted by BrendaTX on 9/26/04 11:27am
Msg #8889
Interesting Job Proposal
I was contacted last night by a man (realtor) who needs to go around just north of my area and clear title to a piece of property. It will take seven visits to people and probably be an all day long process. When I quoted him $300 for 8 hours, or $400 for 10-12 hours he was astounded.
We almost got off on the wrong foot because he balked quickly and figured $6 per signature, plus he'd pay an extra $14 per stop (round it off to $20 per visit x 7 for $140) .
But, as I explained the process and that I had made $150 for exactly 1.5 hours work yesterday morning he became more aware of what he was getting himself into.
Though I understand the concept of reasonably travel charge, this would be a trek around the College Station to Waco area that would be quite involved with me giving up a complete day of my time which then includes not only notarization, travel, but time involved as well. Therefore, based on a fair assessment of my day and what I "can" accomplish during the same, this is what I quoted him...and quite fairly, I believe.
I suggested he try locating multiple notaries to do what he was proposing and if that did not work out - call me back. I explained even if he could locate a notary to do each one hour visit (his estimate) then he might be paying more than he was paying me at $300 for 8 hours- plus forego the knowledge that I was going to be at each stop.
The way I look at it, $300 - $400 will be about 1% or less than he will make on the property if he is a realtor, as I suspect, and he can certainly pay me what I am asking for a day of my time. In fact, I feel I gave him a very decent break. $500 would not be too high, in my estimation given my earning power, but for some, even $1000 would be more appropriate.
By the way I do have the means to check extensively into who he is and that what he is saying is the truth before I take off with him to do this job by personal references.
Newer notaries might want to consider ways to bid a job that will consume an entire day when the per notarization fee will not be reasonable for the time involved.
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Reply by BrendaTX on 9/26/04 11:37pm
Msg #8915
Brenda J. Khan queried: "as to what would be involved to take an hour for each visit?" and stated..."$300 for 8 hours seems like a low ball figure to me when you compare it to how much we make on average per hour."
Sorry. I did not answer you question regarding the time factor. The answer is logistics - distance between the visits.
As to the price I quoted him, to date, my best days have paid me $300 to $400, though things get a little better each month.
One can always hope, but it would be hard to believe that on that particular day I will suddenly be able to earn a whole lot more than that. So... I'll gamble!
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