Freight quote calculator: hourly, per km or per load

By AJ Sakai, Director, TLH · Published

The same job can come out at very different prices depending on whether you charge by the hour, by the kilometre or a flat rate for the load. Put in the job and your rates, and the calculator shows all three side by side with waiting time, tolls, fuel levy and GST added.

Freight quote calculator

The job

Your rates, ex GST

Extras

The figures filled in are only an example, so put in your own rates. The fuel levy applies to the freight charge only, not to waiting time or tolls. Tolls are passed on at cost. GST is 10%. Operators not registered for GST don't charge it, so quote the ex GST total. This page doesn't save or send anything you type.

How the calculator works

  1. Hourly = hourly rate × hours on the job. If the job is shorter than your minimum hours, the minimum is charged instead.
  2. Per km = rate per km × kilometres.
  3. Per load = your flat rate for the load.
  4. Fuel levy = levy % × the freight charge from steps 1 to 3. It isn't applied to waiting time or tolls.
  5. Waiting = minutes over the free allowance ÷ 60 × the waiting rate. If your hours on the job already include the wait, leave the box ticked and the hourly price won't charge it twice.
  6. Tolls are added at cost, with no levy or margin on top.
  7. Total ex GST = freight + fuel levy + waiting + tolls. GST is 10% of that, and the last line is the total with GST.

Operators not registered for GST don't charge it, so they quote the ex GST total.

If you're not sure what rates to put in, start with the truck cost per km calculator to find the least you can charge. To set the levy %, use the fuel levy calculator.

Common questions

Which pricing method is best?
It depends on the work. Hourly suits short metro jobs with a lot of loading and waiting. Per km suits long, predictable runs. Per load suits regular runs where you know the job well.

Why have minimum hours?
A one-hour job still ties up the truck and driver for longer once you add getting there and back. A minimum, often three or four hours, makes small jobs worth doing.

Should waiting time have a free allowance?
Most operators give some free time for loading and unloading, then charge for every minute after that. Put it in your rate agreement so the customer knows before the job.

Price every job from your rate card

TrakkHQ prices each job from the customer's rate card, including fuel levy, waiting time and tolls, and sends the invoices to Xero.

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This calculator is general information, not financial or tax advice. Check your GST obligations and get advice for your circumstances.