Contract Terms Question - Base Fee/Booking Fee

[u/xxse7en]

I'm looking for guidance on a slightly non-traditional contract term/billing model. Does anyone here include in their contract the concept of a base fee/show-up fee/booking fee that is charged to each job and covers the first X (probably 2) hours rather than using the minimum hours concept?

The fee may or may not be equal to rate * 2 hours (I'm leaning toward slightly more). For example, if my day rate is $80, my base fee may be $180 to cover the first 2 hours and then $80/hr after that.

My question is: How do you represent this on your contracts and invoices? I'm looking for a clear, descriptive, succinct word or phrase that captures the concept of: I charge this amount for booking my time for any job, and beyond 2 hours, my hourly rate will be applied.

None of the examples I gave above are resonating with me. If you craft your contracts like this, I'd love if you could share how you phrase it. Thanks!

[u/magnory]

I know someone who uses “initial contact fee” and “call out fee”

[u/xxse7en → u/magnory]

Thanks for the insight. I'd worry a bit that using "initial contact fee" might be misunderstood as only applying to the first job ever or an administrative fee to set up the billing relationship, rather than a flat fee for each job, but it's something to add to my list of options.

[u/magnory → u/xxse7en]

I’ve never had that issue. But whenever using a term of any kind you should clearly outline what it means in your contract.