Independent Caregiver Rate Sheet and Pricing Guide

What a good one includes

• A clear tiered breakdown of your base hourly rates for both daytime and overnight shifts, establishing your standard starting point.
• Specific surcharges for advanced care needs, such as mobility transfers, dementia care, or administering complex medication schedules.
• A designated section outlining holiday premiums and overtime rates for shifts that exceed standard weekly hours.
• A transparent travel policy detailing mileage reimbursement rates and travel time fees for errands or client transportation.
• A firm cancellation and late-change policy that protects your income when a shift is cancelled on short notice.
• Your accepted payment methods, billing cycle, and payment due dates to prevent collection delays.
• A minimum shift length requirement, such as a four-hour minimum, to ensure each booking is financially viable for your schedule.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Undercharging by offering a single flat rate that fails to account for the varying physical and mental demands of different clients.
• Omitting a clear cancellation policy, leaving you unpaid when families make last-minute schedule changes.
• Neglecting to define boundaries for mileage and errand-running, which can quietly eat away at your take-home pay through wear and tear.
• Relying on verbal agreements for rates and payment schedules instead of putting your terms down in writing before care begins.

Frequently asked questions