Companies have budgets so estimates are necessary. Volunteer or work in open source if you don't like it. Those asking - business types usually - know (and oft

Companies have budgets so estimates are necessary. Volunteer or work in open source if you don't like it. Those asking - business types usually - know (and often care) little about the craft, so they can't be expected to be much help. The best you can do is be experienced enough to be able to get it somewhat close. Nothing wrong with padding. How much.. is an art form. But remember technical people nine times out of ten, will under-estimate.