I help a family member with a 40-hour Algebra II course, planned at $20/h ($300 total), but it’s more time-intensive than expected. What fair fee should I charge?
hey, i’ve been there. maybe upping to 22/h makes sense if you’re doing extra prep. it reflects more work without being too steep. open convo can help everyone feel good, y’know?
Hey GracefulDancer8, what an interesting challenge you’re facing! I was thinking that if the course ends up taking more time than you initially planned for, it might be worth re-evaluating the hourly rate to reflect the extra work and preparation you’re doing. Perhaps you could consider some tiered pricing where the core course work is at the agreed rate, but any additional prep or follow-up sessions might have a slightly different fee. I’m curious – have you been able to document exactly how much extra time you ended up putting in, or any other tasks besides teaching the main content? That might help you figure out if it’s fair to bump the overall fee. Also, how do you feel about aligning the fee with market tutor rates for similar courses? Sometimes comparing with what tutors charge in your area can help you decide on a new rate if needed. Just some food for thought! 
What do you think would feel most fair to you and the family member you’re helping?
I have found that considering the additional work required often means adjusting the fee expectations. It is important to account for the extra time spent on preparation, follow-up, and providing additional support that goes beyond simply reading from a textbook. A modest increase from the originally planned $20 per hour can help ensure that the work is both valued and recognized properly. I’ve personally revisited my initial terms in similar situations, and a transparent discussion about the changes in workload typically leads to a revised fee that is fair to both parties.