Extra Fee for Lesson in Students Home?
Found in: About Business, Fees Rates & Cost
Vicki G., Washington
I just received this email inquiry, and wondering 1) if you travel to students’ homes; and 2) how much extra to charge.
I’m new, and have only 2 other students. I also work outside the home 3 days/week. Any suggestions would be awesome!
This person has his Ph.D., and is well-known and respected in our area – so it could lead to some great referrals!
I am contacting you about my two boys 10 and 13 as well as myself. There would be 3 of us!
Our sons have done lessons for several years and it just has not been fun …..so were looking for a new plan!
And I told them I would do with them.
I am looking for someone who can come to our home ( I am willing to pay extra for this)….
I heard how much fun the simply Music is so I am contacting you to see what options there may be.
Shanta H., Minnesota
Only you can decide how much more you want to charge or if this is even worth it for you. However, If you decide that you’re willing to do it, I would include both an amount based on the mileage reimbursement rate (55.5 cents per mile), and an hourly rate comparable to your teaching rate for your driving time. As your studio grows you’ll be wanting those driving hours back!
I’d also caution, from experience, that having a family lesson like this with only one family can expose you to more of the family “baggage” than if there were another family in the lesson. Particularly because the lesson takes place on their territory, not yours.
If this were me, I would probably nicely let the dad know that I don’t travel to students’ homes because of the shared lesson structure and the time constraints; and I’d invite him to an Intro session. However, I totally understand feeling new and looking for students anywhere and everywhere. Only you can decide if this will work for you long term.
Nicole O., California
I’ve only had minimal experience with this, but thought I’d chime in. I had a 90 year old student who lived in an assisted living home. After talking with her daughter and her caretaker, they agreed to pay for my travel time as well as the lesson fee. It took me 60 minutes to get to her and back so I charged what I would for a 60 minute private lesson in addition to the private lesson I was giving the student. They were fine with this. I find again and again that if I value my time, others will too.
Original discussion started November 20, 2012