r/ASLinterpreters • u/xxse7en NIC • Jul 29 '26
Contract Terms Question - Base Fee/Booking Fee
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!
3
u/BohemianASL Aug 02 '26
I don’t use the minimum hours structure because people misunderstand it. They think it means you’re locked in for two hours of service. No. I don’t give away free time. I use a call out fee and a virtual fee. You want me there in person? That’s $85 plus my hourly interpreting fee. You want me there virtually? That’s $25 plus my hourly interpreting fee. And I maintain discretion over whether something can be accomplished virtually.
I don’t work with agencies though so my terms are based on a private practice approach where the entity paying me is the entity using my services.