How Much Pay Should I Ask For?

Grumpy gives a thumbs-up:

You have a lot of the benefits of an OO, without a lot of the liability.

True enough, but being self employed (I set up an LLC) still has its "running a business to keep food on the table" headaches. And you do need a few years' driving experience before you can do this.

Agreed. I’ve been self employed for 12 years with my current business, so that part is not new to me. After I have a few years experience I would definitely like to look into this. Maybe it would be something I could do after retirement as well, since I don’t think I want to just completely stop working.

Paul says:

The school has rented the truck and trailer (53 ft) for me to drive. So I have no financial responsibility.

As for the bus driving gig, first figure an hourly rate. Say $20/hour. If you drive and charge $0.40/mile, an average overall speed of 50mph will equal the twenty bucks an hour. Bid a combination of time and miles. This might be a place to start.

I've recently started doing truck driveway. Here's my "training" topic. For this I don't own any trucks and as an independent I can work when I want (which for me is all the time, but I can take off when I want to.)

Thanks Errol! I've got to look into the whole self-employment thing for taxes. I managed to narrowly avoid having to file that way last year for music gigs, but with everything I'm doing now it has to happen. The driveaway gig sounds awesome! I could never do triples, though. Gives me anxiety just thinking about it.

Paul says:

The school has rented the truck and trailer (53 ft) for me to drive. So I have no financial responsibility.

As for the bus driving gig, first figure an hourly rate. Say $20/hour. If you drive and charge $0.40/mile, an average overall speed of 50mph will equal the twenty bucks an hour. Bid a combination of time and miles. This might be a place to start.

I've recently started doing truck driveway. Here's my "training" topic. For this I don't own any trucks and as an independent I can work when I want (which for me is all the time, but I can take off when I want to.)

Thanks Errol! I've got to look into the whole self-employment thing for taxes. I managed to narrowly avoid having to file that way last year for music gigs, but with everything I'm doing now it has to happen. The driveaway gig sounds awesome! I could never do triples, though. Gives me anxiety just thinking about it.

Basically, you have to pay the portion of social security the employer pays. My best advice is get an accountant, not a tax preparer. He will save you enough to pay for his services at the very least.

That's always been a tough question. The "what is my worth". Personally I think a paid by the day might work here. Especially since you said you may be loading/ unloading in addition to driving. And have a "layover" factored in as well when you're just staying in hotels.

Basically, you have to pay the portion of social security the employer pays. My best advice is get an accountant, not a tax preparer. He will save you enough to pay for his services at the very least.

I'm glad you told me that, because I was thinking about talking to my tax preparer cousin. Although as far as this truck driving gig, I don't know yet whether it'll be W2 or not. But for everything else I'm doing, I'm definitely self-employed.

That's always been a tough question. The "what is my worth". Personally I think a paid by the day might work here. Especially since you said you may be loading/ unloading in addition to driving. And have a "layover" factored in as well when you're just staying in hotels.

I'm definitely leaning towards daily or hourly.

Nothing less than that of what you feel sad about and be un happy.

Perhaps you should stipulate that you get the same hourly rate whether you are driving or doing non driving work. I wouldn't go lower than $25 per hour plus job specific expenses. Remember, you can always go down in price, but once you quote a number you can't go higher in most situations.

Basically, you have to pay the portion of social security the employer pays. My best advice is get an accountant, not a tax preparer. He will save you enough to pay for his services at the very least.

I'm glad you told me that, because I was thinking about talking to my tax preparer cousin. Although as far as this truck driving gig, I don't know yet whether it'll be W2 or not. But for everything else I'm doing, I'm definitely self-employed.

When I started my business, I used a tax preparer. Had to pay extra every year.

Finally got an accountant, got refunds almost every year.

I would charge hourly, for however many hours you are on duty, which is all hours away from home, driving or not, plus hotel fees.