Did a mortgage a few days ago. They didn’t sign one of the forms, said they didn’t need to. I’m not about to argue with them. So we kept going. I sent the scan backs (love my epson es-50 scanner). Now the title/mortgage wants a wet sign of the form. I’ve been asked to go back and get it signed. My contact told me to let them know my trip fee. My issue is I’ve only been doing this for a few months and I’ve never had a trip fee before (I’ve been a notary for years but new to mortgage signing). I’m still getting low ball offers for work but the fees are trending higher. I took this job for $80 even though it’s a 132.5 mile round trip appointment with a 160 page document and no e-signs.
How much do I charge for a trip fee? I can’t charge more than they paid me originally right? Do I ask for half my original fee? I’d like more work from them so I don’t want to ask for a crazy fee. I still have my full time job so money isn’t really the issue even though I’d like to eventually do this full time.
What’s a reasonable fee? Any suggestions?
That is a LOT of mileage. $80 wouldn’t have gotten me there the first time. So I don’t know.
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Well, get as much as you can because you must chalk this up to a learning experience (or what you get when you are vastly underpaid). There are many threads (and even someone who shared a spreadsheet on ‘fee calculation) RIGHT HERE. The info is available, but YOU have to know your costs…and build in PROFIT. Just a FYI on why this particular job is a loser: For openers…the IRS deductible mi. rate this year is $0.70 X the 132.5 miles you’ve already driven = $92.75… meaning it’s already cost you $12.75 ; now add whatever it cost you to print (equipment/paper/toner/time) and your drive/table TIME. Please do your own cost analysis and spend some time figuring out what your car costs (MAJOR FACTOR) will approximate for every zip code you’ll service before you agree to another loser fee because you certainly aren’t doing yourself any favors.
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It’s better than the $35 jobs I was being offered. I’ve just started doing this so I didn’t want to ask for a lot right off the bat. But one I did 2 days ago I pushed the number up by $20 and they accepted so I guess I can start asking for more going forward.
But I still don’t know what to do about this trip fee…
I’m more interested in how you concluded you’d make any money on the job in the first place. 132 miles round trip? That’s roughly $25 in gas alone. Figure over a half ream of paper at another $7, taxes at $15 combined state and federal and you’re down to $33 net revenue. 2-3 hours driving time and you’re running a significant loss.
As a newbie in this business, you might want to get with someone who has some experience and work through your profit margin scenarios.
It’s always difficult to get a trip fee when the lender/escrow/title company thinks you’ve made an error that warrants a “go-back”. This time, I’d take it as a learning experience and not make too much of a fuss. You’ll know better next time and be a better notary for it. I speak from experience. 
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Hint: $35 is newbie bait. Start @ $100… add mileage, pkg. size, scans or you’ll be very broke very soon.
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Okay I’m going to abandon this thread. I have yet to get any solid advice on my actual question. I only provided the additional information to get some advice on what to charge and not a critique on my business practices. I have advisors on how to run a business and since I don’t need this for income right now both I and my advisors are okay running in the red for a while. I’m trying to establish myself with these companies and with my corporate clients to develop a good reputation and charging high fees right off the top is not something I feel comfortable with.
If anyone has any advice on my question I’d be grateful to hear it. But telling me “I’d never take the job to begin with” or “agree to another loser fee” or “I speak from experience” even better “you’ll be broke very soon.” maybe you meant it to be helpful and not come across as condescending but that still didn’t answer my question. I maybe a “newbie” at signings but I’m a 55 year old who has been a notary for decades.
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$50. I thought I had put that in a post.
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Believe I said “Well, get as much as you can because you must chalk this up to a learning experience….”
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In addition to @johnsonps306 and @Arichter , You were also told the IRS mileage rate is $.70/mile (yes, that’s the max you can deduct on taxes, but it’s a starting point). Also consider that your time has value also - something I’m sure your advisors have already told you
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@ginamaria.rosar Hey, I read your post about the trip fee, and it’s tough to give solid advice without knowing what state you’re in. Everyone has their own take on things, and we all come from different places. I did find this article that might help: “A guide to Notary travel fees across the United States | NNA”(A guide to Notary travel fees across the United States | NNA).
Basically, the trip fee is up to you and the company, as long as it follows your state rules. My advice is to grab the good info from here and leave the rest!
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That guide is intended for GNW and does not apply to NSA work. Seems many states do NOT take into account that we are NOT an employEE(being paid by the hour or a salary when driving to a signer’s location). I had a heavy hand in getting AR to see the light.
@Arichter I’m not completely certain about the previous statement, and I think it would be beneficial to analyze this situation more thoroughly. Specifically, I’m wondering if it’s possible to work as a loan signing agent without holding a commissioned Notary Public status. If the answer to that is no, then perhaps the previously mentioned article could offer some pertinent information. Considering that I am a resident LSA/Notary Public of Florida, it’s my understanding that while there might not be direct regulations specifically addressing “travel fees” or “trip fees,” we in Florida are obligated to be mindful of the concept of “price gouging,” as that falls squarely within the purview of the Attorney General’s Office.
You were given very solid guidance by very experienced Notaries - showing you what expenses to consider when setting your fees. No one will spoon feed you on what to charge for your business and that’s why NO one wrote “just charge X or XY or XYZ. Too many variables unique to your business and your state’s accompanying notary laws. Things to consider when setting fees: Do you live in the city or a rural location? If rural, is the average signing 30 min. to an hours drive one way? Do you have to pay toll fees or for a ferry? If you live in the city, is the signing 20 miles one way but gridlock traffic means it will take an hour one way to go just 20 miles, thus roundtrip plus time at the table means you’ll have to clear your schedule for a 4 hour timeframe? There’s vehicle wear & tear, taxes, marketing, paper/toner/equipment, time spent at the table, etc. Is the signing a reverse mortgage with elderly signers, so time at the table will take longer? How many signers? Is it raining or snowing (hazard pay to be factored in). Loan signing fees are different for each type of signing, number of signers, location and time of day/night for signing. Every Notary’s fees are different and takes into consideration each signing and the factors I mentioned above. It is up to you to consider your costs and price your services accordingly.
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Of course you must be a commissioned Notary to do any notarizations, GNW or NSA. I really don’t know what you are saying beyond that. In my much younger days, I worked for the Dept. of Ag. as a field enumerator (fancy way of saying I counted cows, pigs, chickens & corn) & drove a lot to do so, While driving, I was paid the same hourly rate as when I was working PLUS I was reimbursed for my car expenses at the IRS rate. Some days my car made more money than I. This isn’t price-gouging, It’s being reimbursed for expenses incurred while doing your hourly-wage job. So, I really don’t know what you’re trying to point out.
@Arichter Just sharing how Florida does things with travel/trip fees. No worries that we see things differently about the NAA article.
Great advise!! I think of the distance before I take the offer.
PLEASE don’t take low balls. That’s a fee is ridiculous
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The advice I offered is: “It’s always difficult to get a trip fee when the lender/escrow/title company thinks you’ve made an error that warrants a “go-back”. This time, I’d take it as a learning experience and not make too much of a fuss.” Maybe I wasn’t clear with that response. I don’t think you’ll get a trip fee so don’t pursue the matter. Put it in your “red column” on your income statement and move on.
I’m going in a different direction. First, the borrower does not decide which document they sign or don’t sign. All documents must be signed or the loan will not be finalized. Because the document was not signed, which is your error, you have been asked to go back and have it completed. If it’s not a notarized document, maybe the title company can send them a copy of the document, they sign and send it back. But, if you need to notarize their signature, you’ll have to go back. Most of the time, if it’s your error, you do not get a travel fee to return. You could ask for some compensation, but in reality, the return trip is on you.
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