Comparing rates between agencies, and why it is harder than it looks

Published 2026-07-24, editorial team dutchgigolo.nl

The quoted amount is not the whole story

Two agencies both quoting five hundred and forty euro for two hours can differ considerably. What matters is what the amount contains: VAT, the usual elements of an appointment, and whether a couple surcharge applies.

Dutch agencies generally quote with VAT included and as an all in figure, with travel added separately. That is a favourable starting point but not a rule.

Four questions that expose the difference

Is VAT included. Does a couple surcharge apply. What does an additional hour cost. And from how many hours does a discount percentage apply.

With those four answers two agencies can be compared in a minute. Without them, two numbers are being compared that mean different things.

Travel costs

The item most often forgotten. Inside someone's working area it is often nothing. Outside it the amount climbs, and a two hour drive each way is not a detail.

The working area is stated on the profile, and reading it helps more when comparing than the hourly rate itself.

Longer bookings

From around five hours agencies apply a discount percentage. The higher that percentage, the better a weekend compares with separate evenings.

Agencies rarely publish the percentage, so asking is the only way to weigh it.

Further reading

• How to recognise an agency that has its affairs in order
• What belongs in a first message to an agency
• What belongs in a profile, and what its absence means