Changing fees-how to go about it

**Murdockg** · 06-09-2012, 11:37 AM

Hi,
I signed a contract for 2 siblings to start in September back in May. At the time I didn't have alot of work and I offered a reduced daily rate as I wanted to compete with the local holiday playscheme. I have since realised I will quickly go bankrupt and have non-regulars who are willing to pay more in the hols. How do I go about changing the daily rate. I stupidly set the contract review at 12 months. Any help please?

**Jo Jo** · 06-09-2012, 11:45 AM

The parents would have signed the contract under the qoute you had given them for their fees, I dont think they would be too happy if you now turned round and said that the fees were higher then they expected especially with two from the same family, i would keep it like that until you renew you contracts then up your fees from there, any new customers just charge them the new fees structure

**Murdockg** · 06-09-2012, 12:06 PM

Thanks Jojo.
I probably should also have mentioned it is a term time only contract. I agreed to work holidays as and when I want and when they need me. There is no obligation on either side. If they want to do something else in the hols they can do. I also wasn't thinking of making the increase until after Xmas so it gave them plenty of time to adjust. Hopefully this makes it sound a little more reasonable. I will lose £35 a day. My fault I know but I could always take on two different children (non-siblings) at the higher rate.

**loocyloo** · 06-09-2012, 01:11 PM

i would tell all parents/put a letter in with invoices saying that in january you will be increasing your fees by x amount an hour/day/week ( whichever you do ). state that you are giving 3 months notice of the fee increase and that if anyone has any concerns/queries, to please discuss it with you.

if they are unhappy, hopefully they will tell you.

maybe you could say that you actually plan to put up the fees to a higher amount, but as they are an existing family, they get a discount

good luck x

**miffy** · 06-09-2012, 01:40 PM

If they are only just starting with you then I wouldn't put the fees up before January.

Miffy xx

**gegele** · 06-09-2012, 02:52 PM

you can do new year fee increase or april fee increase but you can't offer something, make them sign and then say actually it's dearer now. i don't think it's really fair

it's like picking a chocolate bar in tesco walking around and by the time you arrive at the till they put the prices up....i suspect them to do that at time LOL