Debate: Do you quote the real timeline or pad it when you know a project will have hiccups?

I spent 10 hours redoing a simple web form because the client kept changing their mind about which fields to include, way more than the 4 hours I originally quoted, so do you give them the honest estimate upfront or build in a buffer for their indecision?

2 comments

2 Comments

rowan_ross3h ago

oh man I feel this. I always try to give the honest estimate and then just eat the extra hours when they change their mind.

lisab322h ago

yeah @rowan_ross that's exactly it though, they don't respect the extra time you put in. I've been burned so many times by clients who hear a realistic number and then try to haggle it down, then get mad when the corners get cut. you end up working for free just to keep the peace. it's like they think your time doesn't matter as long as they're happy. but honestly, setting that boundary early is the only way to survive in any kind of freelance or custom work.