I think the clients need to understand that due to the nature of commercial work - a flat fee is not possible.  If we are doing a simple commercial order on a single city lot, it may bill out at $250 - but if we are doing a search on railroad yard that has 36 parcels and several leases and easements associated with it, it may be $7,000 (or more).

If a client asked me for a flat fee on all commercial orders, I would gladly offer them $7,000 each.  The easy ones would more than make up for the occasional nightmare (this may not be the case in densely populated urban areas).  Of course, they would never agree to that.

Most of our clients understand the nature of commercial orders and we have never had a problem.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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