Sorry to hear about your illness, Toni. Hope you are better now.
Thanks for starting a good discussion. Concerning the "accurate measurement" fee vs. the certification fee, I always quote a miniscule difference when I am asked. In this way, I try to discourage RDs from avoiding certification just to save a few dollars. I always look up the entry fee for the event in question and then pose the fee as "an investment of 2 or 3 entry fees a year in offering an accurate course". This seems to help put the cost into perspective for some RDs.
I am interested to hear how measurers handle their fees. I like Duane's approach, but I do it slightly differently. I find that, in far less time that it takes to instruct a client how to use MapMyRun or GMaps Pedometer, I can create the map myself. If he/she has an existing course in mind, I ask for turn-by-turn directions, a hand-drawn map, or an electronic map - if they are already able to use on line tools. Then, I create a GMap of my own to confirm the distance, since the electronic maps I get are typically not done well - some can be downright confusing. I PDF the GMap and send it to my client for confirmation as the preferred route. I always explain that on line maps tend to measure short, therefore I expect to need some additional real estate to get to the certification distance. I go over the options with him/her should I determine once out there that we do need more distance.
Just as often, I am given a preferred finish area, a list of streets, or a general layout. I must then "design" a course, for which I typically charge $100.00. For "course ideas", I drop the GMap into my graphics program, add arrows, mile marks (estimated location), race name, and course proposal number. I send them the PDF and charge $25.00 for each iteration.
For 5K, I charge $450.00 for measurement and certification. This includes a good quality black and white electronic map, which I PDF for the client. I also offer the client the option to purchase a color map for web display. I charge between $150.00 to $250.00 for a color map depending on the race distance and map complexity.
I have recently taken to charging an hourly rate for course "reconnaissance" and design when the course location requires that I "ground truth" its feasibility before measuring. Lately, I am getting requests to secure permits for races, for which I charge the same hourly rate.
I charge $100.00 late fee if I am contacted for measuring less than 3 weeks before the race; $250.00 for less than 2 weeks. I have been contacted within these time parameters several times this year. Like many of us, I work nearly full time elsewhere, and it sometimes puts pressure on me to get the job done within 2 or 3 weeks.
Like Duane, I charge a "modification fee" when the measurement reveals the need to change to course plan more than the minor amount expected. A change (once I am already on site)requiring re-measurement is $100.00 for a 5K; $15.00 additional for every kilometer beyond 5K. When I must re-measure the course because the RD did not get all needed approvals for the desired route, or some other reason for another trip to the site, I offer no discount for the new measurement. I charge mileage @ $0.50 per mile for travel over 30 miles.
I have had difficulty getting paid in a timely way by some races in the last year. Therefore, I have taken to sending each client a brief written agreement in which I spell out all the fees and contingencies, and require a 50% deposit to begin work. Like Duane, I have now gone to requiring payment in full to release the completed certification map and the USATF certificate. Sure, I make exceptions to this. However, starting out giving my client this expectation has resulted in more timely payments.
I measure in a part of the country where Bob Thurston and John Sissala are active. Since many of the timing companies and friends in our region recommend certification to directors of races large and small, the three of us stay busy. The three of us feel our rates are cheap given the many hours of work that go into each job. I personally am grateful for the income as well as the opportunity to support running. Frankly, I depend on it to a degree due to my current situation of being slightly "underemployed".
I am grateful to Bob Thurston and John Sissala for all they have done out of the goodness of their hearts to teach me how to measure and hence to have these opportunities to supplement my income.