Log inStart freeCall-out fee calculator
See in a few clicks what a trip to a client really costs you — fuel, vehicle wear and travel time combined. Useful for plumbers, electricians, technicians and other professionals who work on location.
Your call-out costs per trip
Lower your call-out costs
Schedulinq automatically clusters appointments by area — so you drive fewer kilometres and your call-out costs go down.
Try Schedulinq for freeWhat is a call-out fee?
A call-out fee is what you charge as a professional for travelling to the client. It covers your fuel, the wear on your van and — the biggest item — the time you spend on the road. If you charge no or too low a call-out fee, you effectively work for free for every minute you sit in the car.
How much you charge depends on the distance to the client, your fuel consumption, your hourly rate and any parking or toll costs. Many professionals use a fixed amount per trip; a fairer model is to base your fee on the actual distance — exactly what the calculator above does.
What determines your call-out fee?
Your call-out fee follows from two things: the van you drive and your hourly rate. A large diesel van with a roof rack simply burns and wears more than a compact city van, and an hour of a specialist's travel time costs more than a starter's. The calculator above converts exactly that into a cost price per trip — the floor of what you should charge.
In practice, many professionals also use distance tiers instead of a per-kilometre amount. For example: clients within 10 km pay the base rate, between 10 and 30 km adds € 20, and beyond that another € 30. That keeps your price predictable for the client and covered for you. Whichever tiers you choose: communicate them up front, on your website and in your quote.
Want a lower call-out cost? Drive fewer kilometres
The best way to lower your call-out costs is not to charge less, but to drive less. By clustering appointments per neighbourhood or region you drive shorter routes and help more clients in a day.
Schedulinq does that automatically: clients who book through your booking page only see time slots that fit logically into your route. You drive fewer detours — and your cost per job drops by itself.
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Frequently asked questions about call-out fees
Add up your fuel costs, vehicle costs and travel time. A common formula: (kilometres × fuel cost per km) + (kilometres × ± € 0.10 wear) + (travel time × your hourly rate). The calculator on this page works this out for you automatically, including VAT.
There is no fixed number: your rate depends on the van you drive, your hourly rate and the distance to the client. A distance tier is common — for example a base rate within 10 km, a surcharge between 10 and 30 km and a higher surcharge beyond that. Work out your actual cost per trip with the calculator above and build your tiers on top of it.
Yes. Call-out fees are part of your service and fall under the same 21% VAT rate. Always state the amount excluding and including VAT on your invoice and in your quote, so the client isn't caught off guard.
Yes, it is common and allowed. What matters is that you communicate the rate clearly in advance: on your website, in your quote and when making the appointment. That prevents discussion afterwards.
By clustering appointments per area. If you help three clients in the same neighbourhood in the morning instead of criss-crossing the city, your costs drop sharply. Schedulinq does this automatically: clients only see time slots that fit your route.
The tax-free mileage allowance in the Netherlands is € 0.23 per kilometre in 2026. Employers may reimburse this amount tax-free to employees. As a freelancer you deduct the actual vehicle costs from your profit instead.