U.S. Small Business Administration · reviewed 2026-10-26
What this source supports: Freelance rates must cover taxes, expenses, downtime, and profit, not just desired take-home pay.
Source limit: This computes a floor rate; market rates in your field may differ.
These sources support the statements above. They do not show that every person needs this guide. They do not show a specific result.
Limits
This guide divides the cost you enter by the margin you choose. It does not set a market price or guarantee the job.
This computes a floor rate; market rates in your field may differ.
Use current instructions from the responsible organization. This guide is a planning aid, not an official decision or a substitute for qualified advice.
Common questions
What does the App compute?
Turn trip hours, hourly value, travel cost, and margin into the smallest invoice.
What does the App not do?
This App divides the cost you enter by the margin you choose. It does not set a market price.
Where do the numbers come from?
You enter every number yourself. The sources support the method and the limits. They do not produce a result for your specific case. Keep the original documents next to the sheet you build.
Before you start
Open the linked source page and keep it beside you.
Gather the values the App asks for:
Trip hours.
Value of an hour.
Travel cost.
Margin percent.
Set aside ten quiet minutes; rushed numbers are the main error this guide prevents.
Free Companion App
The App computes the worked example with your own numbers, in your browser.
APP 1
Client Visit Minimum Invoice
Turn trip hours, hourly value, travel cost, and margin into the smallest invoice.
This guide is edited for clarity and checked against the sources it links. It is not a substitute for official instructions or qualified advice. A linked source does not show that every person needs this guide.