It is the first question most self-employed professionals and practices ask: how much will an external secretary cost me, and is it really worth it? The answer depends on your workload, but also on what you are comparing it with. Here is a simple method to see things clearly.
The main pricing models
An independent secretary invoices her services, usually according to one of these three models:
Hourly rate
This is the simplest and most transparent model: you pay for the hours actually worked. It is particularly well suited to variable or occasional needs. At Nahid Secrétariat, the Essential plan is offered at 30 € per hour.
Monthly package
You reserve a set number of hours each month, which guarantees your secretary’s availability and makes budgeting easier. This is the idea behind the Serenity plan, quoted according to your needs.
Tailor-made assignment
For a specific project — catching up on a filing backlog, covering a leave of absence, setting up a CRM — a price is agreed in advance for the whole assignment.
A few budget examples
Based on an hourly rate of 30 €, here are some ballpark figures for different profiles:
| Profile | Typical needs | Volume | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newly self-employed | Invoicing, payment reminders, a few e-mails | 5 h / month | 150 € / month |
| Physiotherapist or psychologist | Diary, reminders, first contacts | 10 h / month | 300 € / month |
| Self-employed professional | Diary, e-mails, documents, fees | 20 h / month | 600 € / month |
| Medical practice | Telephone answering, diary, correspondence | 40 h / month | 1,200 € / month |
These amounts are indicative: the actual volume depends on your activity and becomes clearer after a first conversation. You can make your own estimate with the budget simulator.
The often-forgotten costs of hiring
Comparing an external hourly rate with the gross hourly wage of an employed secretary would be misleading. A salaried job involves many additional costs:
- employer’s social security contributions, on top of the gross salary;
- holiday pay and the end-of-year bonus;
- leave, public holidays and absences, which are paid but not worked;
- the workstation: office, computer, software licences, telephone;
- the time and cost of recruitment, followed by training;
- the administrative obligations that come with being an employer.
Above all, an employment contract commits you to a fixed number of hours, whether or not there is work to do. For a need of 10 or 20 hours a month, hiring an employee is generally not a realistic option.
With an independent secretary, you only pay for useful time. No idle hours, no extra costs, no long-term commitment.
How do you know if it pays off for you?
The question to ask is not only “how much does it cost?”, but “how much does it cost me to do it myself?”. A simple calculation:
- Estimate the number of hours you spend on admin each month.
- Multiply it by the value of one hour of your own work (a consultation, a billable service).
- Compare that with the cost of a secretary for those same hours.
For a practitioner or self-employed professional, the difference is often significant. And that does not take into account the most important benefit: evenings and weekends set free.
How to choose the right person
- Experience in your sector, especially for medical secretarial work;
- confidentiality and how your data is protected;
- the languages spoken, essential in Brussels;
- flexibility in the number of hours;
- transparency on rates and reporting.
To find out more, see the details of the plans and rates or the article Independent or employed secretary: which should you choose?
Every business is different. A free initial call helps identify exactly what you can delegate and for what budget. Contact me or estimate my budget.