I followed the advice of Some of the people on this forum and recently changed how I Charge for my services. I now charge an hourly rate. Totally agree its the best way to survive in this biz. It fits perfectly with most services I offer but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around how BEST to fit it into the scenario below. Help me understand!

Scenario:

Customer Calls and says she has raccoons in her backyard pooping in her pool and wants them trapped and removed. Wants to know how much its going to cost.

*Now in the past I would say "its a $300 setup charge for two weeks of trapping (using live animal traps) and then $50 per animal (any animal) for removal".

The Dilemma:

Sometimes the problem is caught in the first night or two and everyone is happy but for the most part I find myself constantly having to go back out to the property to put new bait in the trap or maybe different bait or maybe the traps door closed and the customer cant figure out how to reset it. Essentially alot of time in traffic going back to a customers house and if I have 3 or 4 different raccoon jobs going fuggedaboutit its nothing but time on the road.

What do you think is the best way to charge for this type of job applying an hourly rate?

Some guys charge a service fee everyime they come out.

Side note, if replacing baits is causing you that much grief, you migt want to rethink the baits you using or how you're presenting them so they aren't effected by weather, bugs, or mice as much.

Come up with a second charging method to cover what the hourly rate does not fit?
Charge like you used to for jobs that are out of the pattern that fits hourly?

I have zero experience trapping for others but I would think you can "read" a job and tell which ones are going to be profitable and which are not?
Charge a fee to cover consultation (some or most of expenses) and then bid job based on what you see. Do like the electricians, plumbers, etc and bid it to where it is worth your time to do the smaller stuff

Tell her you can not say with out looking at the job. Charge a small fee to look and once you have seen what is going on you should have a better idea of what you are in for. Charge for driving time if that is your worry. $50+ an hour plus mileage is not un heard of. If you think you need more than that, charge $100 plus mileage.

You should get paid the same hourly fee to travel as you get paid on site. If she wants an estimate of the total make it for a minimum of 5 days of site visits with the understanding that there will be a re- evaluation at that time. Written contracts prevent misunderstandings. Make sure you include travel time in your estimate. Anything over 5 days and put in the possibility of a fuel surcharge. If during the initial conversation you sense she’s an anti double your fees. Same for all libs.

I thought about that. Typically I use Marshmallows or honey buns because there are thousands of stray cats down here and they usually leave sweets alone. I have been literally zip tying food to the back of the cage because some of these raccoons will just walk right in the trap and reach over the pedal that activates the trap and grab the food and run out. Or try to get the bait from the outside of the cage and in the process they will set the cage off. Your right though at the very least I need to make it so I am returning only when something is caught.

Yah I Like that 5 days of site visits idea. In Miami traffic is just such a huge problem. Sometimes its predictable like from 3-6 pm when schools get out but most times its not. Alot of accidents. I guess I just need to take that into account as well. I should just assume that 50% of the time its going to take me an additional 30 more min to get there and then add everything up accordingly.

A little hersheys chocolate on the bottom at the back has always helped me. They cant just grab it and have to lick it or dig at it. I often even set a board under the trap.

White Hanging bait cages

Allows 360° air flow
White can be seen at night.by animals
Bait cages move in the slightest wind.

My bait loss went down 98% after using wire bait cages hanging behind the treadle/pan or behind the wire trigger

They don't have to be 3 wires deep
1/2" x 1" wire . Chain and hook. 2" deep work best foe me

White ketchup paper cups fit in perfect. Making bait adding easy and clean.

Add in Anise paste bait

Wild cherry paste bait to your choices. Your catch rates will go up.

Thats amazing that exactly what I need

I charge flat rate 14 days service or problem solved whichever comes first. Is how I sell it.

Problem solved averages day seven.

But the occasional trouble maker hits day 14 when it becomes personal as I explain it to the client.