Why a Professional Rate Sheet Matters
When you reach out directly to title companies and escrow officers, a professional rate sheet signals that you operate a business — not a side gig. Escrow officers evaluating new signing agents want to know your fees upfront without negotiating each assignment individually. A clean, organized rate sheet eliminates friction, creates a documented basis for future invoices, and communicates the organizational competence that title companies rely on from their vendors. Include it as a PDF attachment in your direct outreach emails.
Customize the fee cells below to reflect your market rates before printing. Use our 2025 fee schedule guide for current market rate benchmarks by package type and region.
| Standard Package Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Package Type | Your Fee | Notes |
| Refinance (1–2 signers) | $_______ | 60–90 min • 100–150 pages |
| Purchase — buyer only | $_______ | 90–120 min • 150–200 pages |
| Purchase — buyer + seller | $_______ | ~2 hrs • two full packages |
| HELOC | $_______ | 35–50 min • 40–70 pages |
| Reverse Mortgage (HECM) | $_______ | 2–3 hrs • 150–250 pages |
| Seller Package Only | $_______ | 20–30 min • 20–40 pages |
| Loan Modification | $_______ | 25–40 min • 20–50 pages |
| VA Loan | $_______ | 60–90 min • 120–170 pages |
| FHA Loan | $_______ | 75–105 min • 130–180 pages |
| Add-On Fees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Add-On | Fee | When It Applies |
| Document printing (laser, single-sided) | $_______ | When agent prints the package |
| After-hours (after 7 PM or weekend) | $_______ | Added to base appointment fee |
| Additional signer beyond standard | $_______ /signer | Per each additional signer |
| Trip fee (no-show or refusal) | $_______ | Borrower no-show or signing refusal |
| Remote Online Notarization (RON) | $_______ | Remote electronic session |
| Service Area & Travel | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zone | Radius | Travel Surcharge |
| Zone 1 — Primary service area | Within ___ miles | Included in base fee |
| Zone 2 — Extended area | ___ to ___ miles | +$_______ |
| Zone 3 — Outer area | Beyond ___ miles | $0.70/mile round trip |
How to Use This Rate Sheet
Fill in your fees before printing. Use the 2025 fee schedule guide as a reference for market rates in your area. Save as PDF using your browser's print function, then attach the PDF to your direct outreach emails to title companies and escrow officers.
Update your rate sheet annually — at minimum every January when the IRS standard mileage rate changes. Send updated rate sheets proactively to your direct clients each January with a brief professional note. This annual touchpoint maintains the relationship and keeps your fees current with market rates.
Setting Your Fees — Key Principles
Your fees should reflect your market, your experience level, and your channel mix. New agents building their first review record typically accept market-rate assignments from signing services. Established agents with strong direct title company relationships can command premium rates — $145–$185 for a standard refinance, compared to $75–$100 through signing services. The rate sheet you present to direct clients should reflect what a direct relationship is worth, not what a signing service pays.
Never set fees below your costs. Calculate your true cost per appointment: mileage at $0.70/mile (both ways), time (preparation + signing + shipping), supplies (toner, paper, FedEx fees), and proportional overhead (E&O premium, background check, NNA membership). Any fee that doesn't clear these costs after self-employment tax is a losing appointment.
The Trip Fee — Always Bill It
A trip fee for no-shows and signing refusals is not optional — it is standard professional practice. You drove to the location, allocated the time, and are now unable to take another assignment during that window. Your trip fee should appear explicitly on your rate sheet so signing services and title companies agree to it when they confirm your assignment. Bill it on every qualifying incomplete appointment without exception. Agents who consistently waive trip fees signal to signing services that the fee is negotiable — it is not.