Hourly, Project, or Retainer? Best Pricing for Personal Errands & Concierge Services
As an errand runner, personal shopper, or senior companion, hourly pricing might seem simple. But what happens when you find the fastest route to the pharmacy or know exactly which grocery aisle has the oat milk? You get paid less for being efficient! Project pricing sounds clean for a shopping list, but what about the 'oh, one more thing' additions? Retainers promise steady income, but how do you set them up without becoming an unpaid assistant? This guide shows how to price your personal errands and concierge services to get paid fairly, protect your time, and avoid common pitfalls.
READY TO TAKE ACTION?
Use the free LaunchAdvisor checklist to track every step in this guide.
The quick answer
For personal errand runners, personal shoppers, and senior companions, hourly rates quickly become a trap. Every time you get faster at finding that specific grocery item, or learn the quickest route to the post office, you earn less. Project pricing is best for single, clear tasks like 'pick up dry cleaning and mail one package.' Retainers are your goal for steady clients who need ongoing help, like weekly grocery runs or regular senior check-ins. As you gain experience, aim to shift from hourly to project, then to retainer.
Side-by-side breakdown
Hourly: Transparent for clients, easy to start. But it limits your income by hours, punishes your efficiency (e.g., knowing the fastest way to get to the pharmacy), and makes tracking feel like nickel-and-diming. Your time spent planning routes, waiting in line, or researching items for a shopping list is often invisible and unpaid. Factor in gas, parking, and vehicle wear, too.
Project-based: One flat price for a clear task. Examples: 'Complete a grocery list of up to 20 items for $X' or 'Deliver a package and pick up dry cleaning for $Y.' Rewards your speed and efficiency. Clients love knowing the exact cost upfront. But you need to be very clear about what's included to avoid 'scope creep' – like a client adding more stops or items without extra pay.
Retainer: A fixed monthly fee for ongoing services. Examples: 'Weekly grocery delivery and pantry restocking' or 'Regular bi-weekly senior companion visits.' This brings predictable income and lets you build deeper trust. You can plan your schedule and routes better. But the scope must be crystal clear; vague retainers often turn into you doing extra work for free.
When to choose hourly
Use hourly rates for new clients where you're still figuring out their needs, for very short tasks (like a 30-minute quick post office drop-off), or when a client specifically asks for it and you're new and need the experience. Always include travel time in your hourly calculation. Aim to keep hourly work to less than 40% of your total client mix. Otherwise, you'll feel the pinch of uncompensated efficiency.
When to choose retainer
Push for retainers with clients who regularly use your services and trust you. This is perfect for recurring needs like weekly grocery shopping, bi-weekly senior companion visits, ongoing house-sitting, or regular small business administrative tasks. A retainer provides stability for you and ensures consistent support for your client. Make sure the monthly service scope is clearly outlined to avoid misunderstandings.
The verdict
If you're just starting your personal errand or concierge business: begin with hourly rates to get a feel for how long tasks truly take and to build a client base. Within your first three months: identify your most common errands (like a standard grocery run or prescription pickup) and package them into a fixed project price. By six months: approach your most loyal clients needing regular help (e.g., weekly visits) with a retainer offer. Your goal by the end of your first year should be roughly 60% of your income from retainers, 30% from project-based tasks, and only 10% from hourly work.
How to get started
For your next three hourly errand jobs, track *everything*. This means not just the time you spend shopping or delivering, but also travel time, gas mileage, parking fees, time spent communicating with the client, and any supply costs (like special bags). Then, divide your total payment by all the hours you *actually* spent (including hidden time and travel). If that number is below what you need to earn after expenses, it's a clear sign that hourly pricing is unsustainable. Start converting your most popular services into fixed project prices for your next proposals.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
HoneyBook
Set up project packages and retainer billing in one platform
Bonsai
Time tracking, project scoping, and contract templates for freelancers
Toggl
Track time on projects to know your real hourly effective rate
Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up — at no extra cost to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I protect against scope creep on project pricing?
Define deliverables, not effort. Your contract should specify exactly what is included (number of drafts, revision rounds, formats delivered) and what triggers a change order. Include a scope change process in every contract.
How do I convince a client to move from hourly to a retainer?
Show them what they are getting monthly and package it as a flat fee that is 10-15% less than they would pay at your hourly rate for the same volume. The discount feels like value; the predictability is what you actually want.
Apply This in Your Checklist