Over the years of doing maintenance and repair work for folks, I have found this over and over again. I switched from an hourly charge to Project Bids for just this reason, and yet, I find this still holds true!
So my original estimate of one day or two days, may overflow into a third morning. I don't work slowly, so much as I try to work CAREFULLY. So that the final project is more than just "satisfactory", but instead is pleasing to the client.
When I worked by the hour, if I stopped for a bathroom break, it seemed like people felt like I was cheating them. "Are you done yet?" I would constantly hear. What a TOUGH question! I felt like I had to rush, but rushing causes mistakes so that wasn't the way I wanted to go! I switched to charging by the Project, thinking this would eleviate this little PET PEEVE of mine. Then when I take a lunch break, hey, no sweat, your not paying for it! If I run into a difficulty and take longer to finish in order that the project is done correctly, there shouldn't be an issue, right?
NOT SO! Even when I say 4-5 days to complete something, on day 2 I inevitably hear that tough question "are you done yet?" This is the grown up version of "are we there yet?" I understand, truly, I do, but this is still a tough question!
I have 2 rules in my business.
Rule One: DON'T RUSH! Do the job right, whatever amount of time it takes.
Clients don't always notice right away, but that's alright. Eventually they will. Then when I ask for references or referrals, I'm more likely to get them. I don't get everything done perfectly - perfect just doesn't exist this side of Heaven. But I do my very best to get everything done RIGHT!
It just might take longer than a minute, that's all.....
