How to Charge for Travel Time as a Contractor

Short answer

Charge for travel time as a contractor using one of three models. A flat trip charge of $75 to $150 covers short metro trips. An hourly rate plus mileage at IRS 67 cents per mile works for distance jobs. Or build travel into the labor rate by 8 to 12% so no separate line item appears on the bid.

4 angles on the question, contractor-focused.
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2026 numbers from ContractShield quote data and BLS reports.
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Flat trip charge model

A flat trip charge of $75 to $150 is the simplest. Clients see one line item, you do not argue minutes, and short jobs do not lose money on windshield time. Most service trades use this for 0 to 30 minute drives, with a separate hourly rate after work starts.

Hourly plus mileage model

For jobs more than 30 minutes out, charge your billable hour rate from shop departure to shop return, plus IRS rate mileage at 67 cents per mile in 2026. This works well for HVAC service calls, commercial maintenance contracts, and rural service.

Built-in rate model

For local-only contractors, build 8 to 12% travel into your hourly rate. A $95 per hour rate becomes $105, no client conversation needed. Works only if all jobs are within a tight radius of your shop.

Always write it in the contract

Whatever model you pick, write the travel policy in your contract template, in plain English. The fight is never about the dollar amount, it is about the surprise on the invoice.

Frequently asked questions

Is this guide for contractors or homeowners?

Contractors. ContractShield is built for small contractors and remodelers running 1 to 25 employees, and our guides speak to that audience.

Does ContractShield charge for these features?

ContractShield charges 1% per accepted job at funding. No per-lead fees, no per-seat fees, no setup fee. A free trial lets you try the quote builder before paying anything.

Where do I get the 2026 numbers in this guide?

From aggregated quote data inside ContractShield, public BLS labor reports, and supplier pricebooks. We update guide numbers quarterly so they stay current.

Can I edit a quote after it is sent?

Yes. ContractShield supports change orders against an accepted quote, with a single approval flow that updates milestone billing automatically.

Does this work for commercial contractors too?

It works for small commercial contractors and light-commercial GCs. For enterprise commercial work, Procore-class tools are a better fit.

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