Couriers quote before work starts when a client has a recurring route, a large one-time job like an event or office move-out, or a multi-stop run that does not fit a standard rate. Business clients often compare a per-stop price, a monthly account rate, and the speed guaranteed against other local couriers or app-based services.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Distance drives the price, so the quote should state exactly where it applies and what happens outside it.
Standard, rush, and direct deliveries are priced differently, and clients should know what time commitment they are paying for.
Oversized, heavy, fragile, or temperature-sensitive items may need a larger vehicle, extra time, or a surcharge.
A recurring route can justify a lower per-stop rate, and the quote should say what volume that rate depends on.
Clarifies what is charged if the recipient is not available or the pickup is not ready.
Listing these ahead of time stops them from feeling like surprise charges later.
Fuel costs and your schedule change, so the price should hold only for a set period, with clear terms for late cancellations.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard local delivery (within 10 miles) | per delivery | $12-35 |
| Rush delivery (60-90 minute window) | per delivery | $30-75 |
| Direct / hot-shot delivery | per mile | $1.50-3.50 |
| Mileage beyond included radius | per mile | $1-3 |
| Waiting time after grace period | per 15 minutes | $8-15 |
| Scheduled route (medical or legal, multiple stops) | per hour | $25-45 |
| After-hours or weekend surcharge | flat fee | $10-30 |
| Signature or ID verification | per stop | $2-5 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Add fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and your time to find a cost per mile and per hour. Use that as the floor, then add margin for rush and specialty work.
Present standard, rush, and direct choices side by side. Clients often pick the middle option, and you avoid being compared on price alone.
For scheduled routes, offer a flat rate per stop or per route run rather than a mileage meter. It is easier for the client to budget and for you to invoice.
If the route runs through dense traffic, hospitals, or courthouses, include realistic time or state the wait-time rules in the quote.
Give a flat quote when addresses, timing, and cargo are clear. If wait time, traffic, or number of stops could change, give a quote with a stated base price and the per-mile or per-15-minute rates for anything beyond it.
Fifteen to thirty days is common for recurring accounts. For one-time jobs, a shorter window of a few days keeps the price in line with current fuel costs and your availability.
Map the stops, estimate the time and mileage per run, and price by stop or by route. Set a minimum monthly volume and state how the rate changes if volume drops or stops are added.
For one-off jobs, written acceptance by email is usually enough. For regular accounts or sensitive cargo like medical specimens, a signed service agreement covering liability, insurance, and handling is a good idea.
Use the Courier invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Courier invoice template