A job that pays £150 is not a £150 job. Fuel, running cost and zone charges come out first. This is how to find the minimum price that still leaves you a margin.
Profit = job pay − total cost. Then divide by the hours the job takes to see what you earn per hour.
To keep a target margin, divide cost by (1 − margin). Minimum price = total cost ÷ (1 − target margin).
A 120-mile job at 53.5p a mile costs about £64.20. Add one £18 Congestion Charge day and the cost is £82.20. To keep a 20% margin, the minimum price is £82.20 ÷ 0.8 = £102.75. A job offered at £90 loses margin you wanted, and a job offered at £75 loses money.
Open the free job profit calculator Break-even rate calculator
It depends on the work, how often you are loaded both ways, and your overheads. Pick a target that covers the quiet days, and use the break-even figure as the absolute floor.
Sometimes, if the price still covers the extra fuel and running cost of the leg. The calculators show whether it does.
Ripe Vision 1.0 shows zone charges, loading-restriction fine risk, fuel and running cost, and what the job really pays before you dispatch. London and major UK cities, 30-day free trial.
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Figures are examples and the charge rates were checked in October 2026. Rates, hours and rules change, so confirm them with Transport for London or the relevant authority before you rely on them. This is general guidance, not legal or financial advice.