Charging for E-mails and Consultations

A couple of weeks ago, I had a former client bring to me a request to prepare some deed descriptions. Truthfully, it wasn't really much more than revising some descriptions, no additional field fork required. They had renegotiated the contract and that's fine.....
Descriptions were no problem at all......

Since then, there has been a constant stream of e-mails back and forth. The title company can't understand why the original survey shows these folks geting 34 acres of land and this description only contains 20 acres.  Personally, I think that the title company has their head up their 4th point of contact but, that is beside the point.  

In looking back over the e-mail traffic on this one, I am amazed at the amount of time that has went into answering e-mails for these folks (we are at 20 now).
I am seriously thinking about charging for the time I have spent on the e-mails. My attorney doesn't mind charging me for phone calls to others to work out iissues.  Thinking about it over the years, it has been a SERIOUS time drain...... It got me wondering if others charge for it?

Will be interesting to hear what others are doing.

Gordon I would suggest that  you contact client and say that if any more emails on the matter go between title company then you will require to unfortunately charge out the time . If  it is their ignornce in understanding  then suggest that client present the account to title company and demand they reimburse client .

As you rightly said lawyers keep a tab and BILL!


Our trouble is that we are never ruthlessly arrogant !

I always carry a "consultation" fee in my proposals.   Usually a few hours on medium difficult projects.   i have not reached a point where I felt the client (or their representative) have been excessive except for one client.  I've learned to build that into their proposals now...

As a Professional your consultation is at least as, and maybe more valuable, than that of their advocates!    Consulting with you may reduce further problems!!

Many variables here.

1. "former client"? Does that mean there's no more work coming from this person? Or will there be other projects? This could make a difference in how you treat this person.

2. "Revising the descriptions" is one thing. Having to spend time explaining what you did is another. First off, a change in the area from 34 acres to 20 acres must have looked like a big red flag to the title company...maybe a letter of explanation as to how this occurred would have kept the questions to a minimum. Now, everyone is all shocked and surprised, hence the e-mails flowing.

3. While it may seem too late at this point, put a cap on it. Tell all concerned that any further explanations will be charged a fee for time spent. Maybe your best bet is to convene a face to face meeting with all parties and sit down and straighten evertything out.

And you should charge a fee for that too.

MAJ_Gordie,
We always charge when the emails require work to be done. We view thew email as a request for work to be done the same way we would if the requests were made by phone or regular mail. We have to pay someone to do the work requested right? We aren't in business as a charity, and chances are either is your client. They are probably charging for the work they are requesting.

BEFORE EMAILS, FAX ETC. PHONE AND LETTERS WERE THE ONLY COMMUNICATION DEVICES. NOW WITH THESE NEW METHODS OF COMMUNICATION THEY CAN EAT UP A TREMENDIOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND THATS MONEY MISTER.  I BUILD INTO EACH JOB A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BACK AND FORTH. IF IT GETS OUT OF WACK I CHARGE AND EXPLAIN IT IN THE INVOICE AS AN EXTRA CHARGE AND RARELY HAVE A PUSH BACK.

TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT.

BILLYMAC 

Sometimes you just have to go the someone's office and school them on the difference of what their job is and what your job is and that they spend their time with the client to see what they are doing.

As surveyors, we ask our clients what they want and we do that. The title company is just supposed to get the proper paperwork checked out for that reason and not to question why all the time.