Don’t you think you should always be charging more than you pay for your consumables? $.08/page is what he charges for printing - not what he pays for the paper - and that $.08 probably includes not only the paper but the toner and wear and tear on the printer.
I’d also suggest a higher per mile fee as the $.55 is what is the IRS rate to be deducted on taxes but also have to factor in wear and tear on car, gas, tires, maintenance, etc…so a higher per mile fee IMO is in order.-
I suppose it depends on where you live… I mean if you in an area where all the homes are $200k -$300k, your fee might be reasonable…
But if you live in an area where all the home are 1 million -1.5 million, then you would probably charge $150-$175 for any signing…
Preach it, Sister! I love your posts. Notaries who undersell their services and work for peanuts will not survive in business for long. The lenders, mortgage companies, title companies, and signing service companies are not non-profits. And they are not in business just to break even. Everyone is this industry is in business to make money and SO ARE NOTARY SIGNING AGENTS. Have a great day, Arichter!
Does your work vary based on the price of the property?
Unfortunately, I have not found that to be a factor. Besides, how would you know?
You won’t know the amount of paper until you receive and print the documents… even forget about the value. They won’t see it as relevant, and we shouldn’t neither, because they will never pay us by property value.
Arichter, this is such great advice for new notaries and and thank you for sharing. My sentiments exactly and I agree with you wholeheartedly. My business expenses are high. And there are times that I turn down lower paying assignments. I also recommend that you find a reputable tax advisor when its time to report to the IRS so there are know mistakes later. Have a wonderful day everyone!
Hey Arichter! the one post you did on this very subject… I copied it to my newbie notes. Guess what? $200 for my very first signing. Thank you for your wisdom. 
Newbies like me. It is a mental thing to know your worth to know your fees. Until you realize your worth you will always be intimidated to negotiate. Took me about a month to realize that Ha!
I was replying to paknamba’s reply,
“I suppose it depends on where you live… I mean if you in an area where all the homes are $200k -$300k, your fee might be reasonable…
But if you live in an area where all the home are 1 million -1.5 million, then you would probably charge $150-$175 for any signing…”
No matter if the loan amount is $30k or $1M you’re still completing the same work was my point. So it shouldn’t matter your rate is your rate. Also the paper count. I’ve had a 20 page package take an hour (older woman who sprained her wrist on dominant hand and read everything twice) . No discount from me for smaller/hybrid packages. They looooooove to tell you it’s small so can you do less. Nope not me.
I agree with Michelle, in that, I took many of the lower fee signings in order to sharpen my skills. I’ve been a signing agent on and off for many years. I didn’t get really good at it until I did signings consistently. Yes, I’ve been shafted a few times in the past as a new agent trying to sharpen my skill. Now, if I take a low-paying signing, it’s by choice. On a positive note, some agencies that I initially did signings for at a lower fee, now contact me directly and pay me more.
They only pay $85 in Baton Rouge and Denham Springs, Louisiana.
I charge at least $50/hour and more If i have scan backs ,then I add as well.
I love it when these companies tell you how far the job is…oh…it’s only 12 miles…
how do they measure?..most go from the town limit to town limit not address to address…
I ask them if they drive to work at 60mph driveway to driveway non stop…lol…answer well ahah ahh no! what makes you think I can?
in NY(Long Island) 12 miles can take 25-40+ minutes depending on time of day and route
these people have no clue …unbelievable
Long Island, very stressful to drive there. Feel for you, @CAFRAN2
It is not just the cost of paper, it is toner, printer maintenance, electricity to run printer, your time while it prints etc…you run a business, you have to think deeper.
If the FedEx office charges X to print something, why wouldn’t we be closer to their prices, we are the title companies printing provider.
First, regardless of the type of signing know what your state allow you to charge per notarization. I was just saying on another post, you’ll be surprised to know most loan packet average between 16-23 required notarizations. Open up a loan packet sometime and count the number of notarizations required. Then factor the amount of notarizations by what your state allows you to charge ( I live in Florida, which allows notaries to charge $10.00 per notarization ), then printing cost, travel cost, a second witness ( if needed ) and faxbacks (if needed) then you’re able to have a good idea what your asking fee should be. $85.00 you’re probably working harder than working smarter.
But that’s just my two cents…
Counter with a decent fee.
yes it is. i think u need to look at it as u are getting $85 an hour
I assume you are replying to the first post on this topic. I would be interested in seeing your math/ogic/justification for your ‘you are making $85 per hour’ statement. Or was that sarcasm?
Agree - OP said “144 pages + ( Borrower copy ) 288 pages in total, 20 minutes drive all for $85”
I’d also like to see the logic of this being a good, profitable deal
Yep as someone who worked in title the more tedious part is putting the numbers and docs together so they should get more than the signing agent- that’s true. That being said I still charge $250 for my local appts.
