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Rates Guide

Unsure what prices you should be charging for subby work? Our Pence-Per-Mile rates guide is here to help

Table of Contents

Introduction: Sub-Contracting PPM Rates Estimator

We know from our own experiences that bidding on work exchange services like CX, SDCN etc. can be a bit hit-and-miss.

We all want more work, but it can be hard bidding on jobs and constantly losing out. Sometimes you might not even know why you’re not winning the work. Is your bid way too high? Or even too low?

If you know roughly what prices the selling company is willing to pay, you might stand a better chance of winning the work.

Some important facts to remember
  1. We’ve created this guide based on our own personal experiences of bidding on / winning / selling work across multiple sources:
    Courier Exchange, Same Day Courier Network, DeliveryApp – as well as companies we have worked directly with, and subby information supplied through our forms and surveys.
  2. These numbers are Pence Per Loaded Mile (PPLM aka PPM) – based on journeys of more than 30 miles.
  3. We have not included minimum charge data. You should set your own minimum charge and radius, then use the PPLM as a guide for routes that require running outside that area.
  4. It’s just a guide. You DO NOT have to follow it. We’re just supplying aggregated data from current market trends in case it can help you.
  5. Remember that rates fluctuate based on location and times of year. If you’re in a major city, at Christmas, you can usually increase your prices. While rural areas, or quieter times of year may see prices drop. Learn to adapt to the situation.
  6. All the prices are rounded to the nearest 5 (85, 90, 95 etc) to make it easier for everyone.
  7. If you’re getting better rates than you see here, that’s great news! 

New 2024 Updated Rates Guide

Pence Per Loaded Mile (PPLM) Rates Guide For Sub-Contract Delivery Work - Q3 2024

A rough guide of prices when sub-contracting on most major work-exchange services.

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2023 Rates for Comparison

Pence Per Loaded Mile (PPLM) Rates Guide For Sub-Contract Delivery Work - Q3 2023

These are the previous years figures for reference

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Summary

From what we’ve seen this year, rates on the whole are slightly up.

The problem is that whilst some driver data is showing that they’re getting better rates for ‘Hotshot’ Ad Hoc work, the prices are always skewed by the low bids also getting lower.

Call it ‘backloads’ or ‘down-bidding’ or whatever you want. The simple fact is there’s always someone willing to do the job cheaper than you.

So whilst you always want to try and bid as high as you can to earn the money you think is fair for the work, just know there’s a risk of someone under-cutting you.

Peak Season Tip

Remember that we publish these prices at the end of Q3 to try and show a balance of the year so far.

Peak Season (Q4 – mostly from November 01st – December 31st) is your chance to push these rates up.

There should be more work than drivers available, so you can take advantage of the supply:demand ratio being in your favour.

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