Kinda more context I guess but
Yeah I operate a machine / repair shop for 30 years now and been involved in this heavy equipment contracting (3rd generation shop rat) my whole life. I’m 51 soon.
I rarely give a “quote” for anything, unless I know exactly what I’m doing like replace a muffler etc, because I know how things go. I use an estimate with an agreed value, and typically get 50% down unless it’s a regular I consider them to have credit account.
But I ALWAYS call the customer when things change or it looks like we are going over the agreed value.
Of course he can’t meet in person cause he’s got covid now. So this was my response.
If I was working on your rig Friday and told you 12-15 hours to fix it “tops” and done by Monday…. ? THEN 2 weeks later and several excuses for not showing up still not completed and gave you a bill for 30 hours
What would you think?
Oh and your car will only go half way to town - but pay me for 30 hours.
So get me a bill together that you and I both agree is respectable knowing you welded it together backward a few times and had to cut things apart re-fit and try again.
and we'll get that paid