Work done in half of time quoted??

Prothet_of_Doom

I'd suggest that when you ask for a fixed price quote, you ask "Okay, so you think it will take 2 days, and I understand you'll have built in some contingency, but lets imagine that it turns out to be much easier than you thought, and only takes 1 day. I'm going to think I've been conned a bit. How are you going to price it so that I'm going to feel there's a win-win and feel like recommending you to my friends, and want to invite you to quote for more work in the future?"

A garage I used to use says they have system which works. It's this. They agree the max price the job is. That is if they struggle with it, for some reason, that's not the customers fault, it's because they don't know everything about every car. Everything up to that price is time and materials, but once at the max agreed they take the hit.
9 times out of ten the price is 65 to 70 % of the max.
They once fitted a starter motor (which I'd given up attempting to do in my garage after 4 hours on my back, for 1 hours labour. The boss said "I nearly sacked the apprentice after 2 hours, but I'm not allowed to, and it took me nearly another 2 hours to do the job, but there it is I quoted you Up to an hour and I stand by it. That's what it should have taken according to our book. "

Marktheshark

Never get involved in how long it will take them.
Ask for a written quotation and make sure they know the difference between a quote and an estimate and make it clear that all they will be getting.

Risteard

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

Everything up to that price is time and materials, but once at the max agreed they take the hit.

That's daft. At least with a fixed price they can win or lose on it - it shouldn't be break even or lose.