In answer to the headline, not very! I prefer to get something working, then I'll refactor, reformat and rewrite until reliability, readability and performance

In answer to the headline, not very! I prefer to get something working, then I'll refactor, reformat and rewrite until reliability, readability and performance meet my needs. This process can take months, depending on the required balance between adding new features or improving existing ones. This approach works quite well for me, since I generally plan code in my head before a coding / transcribing session. An hour a day sounds high, but understandable if you are working on a scrappy code-base. It sounds like you are doing a good job, especially since you will be eliminating 'code-smells', fixing warnings etc. I always like to plug it, but Code Complete was the book that transformed my attitude towards 'my craft'. Great book, should be mandatory reading.